Since this column got back into full swing a little over a month ago, we've been focusing on the Kentucky Derby preps and the horses who will get a spot in the starting gate of twenty. With all the preps finished and the field set, my focus this week will be the "other" big race the day before. The female counterpart to the Kentucky Derby is the Kentucky Oaks on the first Friday of May, going the mile and a eighth distance. Unlike the Derby, only 14 can reach the starting gate and of course the distance is an eighth of a mile shorter. While California Chrome looks to be the "horse to beat" in the Derby, I can't take him at a "odds-on" price. But in the Oaks, the favorite looks to be all of that and a short price. Untapable, trained by Steve Asmussen goes into the race with two solid, open length victories at the Fairgrounds this winter in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and Fairgrounds Oaks, both at a mile and sixteenth. Both wins totaled over 17 lengths and not another of the other 13 hopefuls have had to two races compared to her. Untapable can sit close to the pace, which will include speed horses like; Fashion Plate, My Miss Sophia and Sugar Shock. I'll be looking to use closers underneath her like; Rosalind, Ria Antonia and Got Lucky. The latter; Got Lucky may have a big shot to upset at a price. Runner-up to Untapable two starts back at the Fairgrounds and recently second best at Aqueduct behind My Miss Sophia in the Gazelle, she has already been this distance last Fall as a two year old in the Demoiselle losing my just a neck. So with this the last column before the Derby, I'll give my early Oaks picks today with; Untapable - Got Lucky - Aurelia's Belle as my play.
Speaking of early, the 2014 Saratoga Racecourse schedule was released this past week with purses increased for the big stakes and new races added, including a New York bred day at the Spa. Both the Travers for 3-year-olds and the Whitney for older horses received significant purse increases over their 2013 levels, from $1 million and $750,000 respectively, to $1.25 million for Travers and $1.5 million for the Whitney. On Sunday, August 24 the best New York-breds will be showcased when the Spa will host the inaugural Saratoga Showcase Day; featuring the Albany Handicap, West Point Handicap. Yaddo Stakes, Fleet Indian, Funny Cide, and Seeking the Ante races. These races will be the day after the Travers Stakes. Some of the new races for 2014 are; the Shine Again for filly and mare going 7 furlongs on dirt (7/21), De La Rose also for filly & mares at one mile on turf (8/2) and the male counterpart; Lure going the same distance & surface on the same day, the Tenski on the weeds at a mile for 3 year old fillies (8/11), the Alydar for older horses going the route distance of a mile and an eighth (8/17), the Summer Colony same distance as the Alydar filly & mare counterpart (8/18) and Tale of the Cat, six furlongs for older horses sprinting (8/22). There is a stakes race everyday for the 40 day meet starting July 18th Friday through Labor Day on September 1st.
The Churchill Downs summer meet kicks off this evening with the Derby Trail at one mile (8th race, post 10pm) which at one time (long ago) was a prep race for the Kentucky Derby one week later. It's likely the #2 - Chitu will scratch and run in the Kentucky Derby next week, this makes Bayern (#1) the speed from the rail and likely favorite. Spot (#9) was no factor stretching out last time in the Florida Derby after a closing victory in the seven furlong Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. A longshot to use here may be Laddie Boy (#7) who set the pace on the polytrack last time out at Keeneland in the off-the-turf Transylvania Stakes and has run well over the Churchill dirt strip as a two year old. My selections for the Derby Trail - Spot (#9) , Bayern (#1), Laddie Boy (#7).
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