Oaks Day Plays

[Dahoss]

Race 1- #8 Back to Gridlock
I think Chad Brown is going to have a huge weekend and I think they get their big weekend started here. This daughter of Nyquist ran like a filly who needed her first start. Was slow in to stride and was asked a bit by Rosario to stay close. She was never getting to the winner, but she split horses and really finished up well late. Very little early speed in here so I expect her to be forwardly placed and prove best in the lane.

Race 2- #9 Undervalued Asset
This future stakes winner romped in her debut and then ran into the Rusty Arnold buzzsaw Red Carpet Ready (2nd choice ML in the grade 2 Eight Belles later) in the Forward Gal. She was a good second that day and then backed up badly last time. The way she backed up I wouldn’t be surprised if she bled and shows up with lasix here. Working steady including big move at Churchill a week ago. On to bigger and better after this.

Race 5- #4 West Will Power
He’ll be too short to bet to win but I like this one a lot and do not like his main rivals at all. I think Art Collector s a cool horse but wasn’t the plan to retire him after the Pegasus? I get why they stayed in training but he was no match for West Will Power last time and as the second choice I think he’s vulnerable. I also don’t like Last Samurai at all who runs much better on lasix than off and he’s off here. I’m going to bet some straight exactas 4/ 3,5 and then the same in triples. You know Rich Strike will come with his run on his favorite track and Smile Happy should also be coming late

Race 6- #2 Didia
I think this mare is very good and it’s possible we have not seen her best yet. I’d like to see her rider keep her close because there is very little pace in here and I think if she’s ridden aggressively she can get first run on the other closers. Has improved in each start here in the US and should be a fair price.


Race 9- #9 Pauline’s Pearl
One of my favorite horses in training is Search Results but I think this is a lot to ask off the layoff. I think there’s a lot of pace in here and Pauline’s Pearl will be the one coming best late. Is probably a notch below some of these but with the setup might surprise.

Race 10- # 5 Preliminary
It looks like Irad and his agent had some options here including multiple stakes winner Cairo consort. The fact they land here says a lot. She was super impressive in her debut breaking from the far outside. She moved into contention around the turn and exploded when Irad said go. I love the confidence in running here and I think you’ll see here a little more involved early.

Race 11
I wish I had a strong opinion in here. I really wanted to bet Julia Shining but she’s not getting in. I’m going to bet a few bucks on #13 Affirmative Lady who I think is best suited to the 9 furlongs and is improving. Her last was another step up and the blinkers seemed to have her more focused. Using 4,7,9,13,14 in exotics and Oaks/Derby double