GR 1 Bluegrass Oaks 3yr Fillies 1.5M

Here we are with the first of many to start the Bluegrass Weekend on a beautiful Friday afternoon. With a field of some/most of the world’s best 3 yr old fillies looking to continue to make their mark.  The track has been listed to Good which will make for some interesting strategy choices as most higher odds horses have seen that type of footing which could make for some suprises.

Kentucky (KY)

Friday, May 5, 2023 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3013574

Bluegrass Oaks                                                             Track:   GOOD

Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $1,500,000

Restricted to 3 Year Olds, Fillies Only    9 Furlongs | ~1800 Meters | One Mile and One Eighth

         Horse                           Owner                               Rank              Morning Line Odds

1.   Martina Smeraldi                Owner: beerkeg               rk 19             odds: 20/1

TAPIT x STORM CAT x SEATTLE SLEW

The most raced filly in here.  Has raced in 5 straight GR 1 and never finishing higher than 3^rd.  First timer at this distance and highest SP is a 97. Will be interesting to see what strategy Owner Beerkeg will employ as she has set the pace and come from behind with limited success.

2.   US Catholic Girls               Owner: tenpoint               rk 21             odds: 20/1

CATHOLIC BOY x PIERRO (AUS) x MISWAKI

Like I said in the Cali Oaks she has switched to dirt this year and although the GR 1 Cali Oaks was a disaster (14^th) it was her first at 8.5F.  This is more her distance where she won the GR 2 Miss Bonnie 104 SP back in FEB.  Owner Tenpoint has had some great GR 1 success this season with others in his stable and hopes continue the trend here.  I sense a rally bounce back race since track will benefit her with the change to good.

3.   Where’s My Heels             Owner: xraykash             rk 31               odds: 12/1

GHOSTZAPPER x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x UNBRIDLED’S SONG

With the track condition changed to GOOD and a solid 2^nd last time out on that same footing in the GR 2 Mellow Breeze 8F in a blistering 106 SP.  This one has to get a little more money thrown her way as her 3 races this year have been over 100+ and at long distances including a  9F STKS win.  #28 ranked Jockey Cahill looks to bring experience.

4.   Explosive Ghost                 Owner: Given                  rk 3                odds: 22/1

GHOSTZAPPER x BERNARDINI x FORTY NINER

The former EOY 2 yr winner Beat Storm Swallower in the BB Filly last year and some others that are in here with a SP 97 as a 2yr old. Has had the unlucky drawing far outside posts the past 2 races and that hampered her rallying style and faltered with a 4^th and 12^th finish.  Looks to bounce back drawing the number 4 hole and refreshed with almost a 3 month layoff with a primer in FEB in the GR 1 Vinegrette getting ready for this one.

5.   RightThroughYou               Owner:  worldclass         rk 17               odds: 13/1

UNCLE MO x SEATTLE SLEW x GONE WEST

Will be looking for her first STK or Graded win of her career. Came on hard in the GR 1 Los Vinegrette to lose out by 1 ½ lengths to Storm Swallower in a career 104 SP.  Then drew the far outside post and stumbled 10/14 in the 9.5 F All Saints Derby Prep never really catching on. Jockey Te Allen has the mount for this one looking to add wisdom.

6.   Bitcoin Girl                 Owner: Borinquen                    rk 7            odds: 23/1

MCKINZIE x GONE WEST x NORTHERN DANCER

The daughter of little known sire Mc Kinzie comes in after a GR 3 4^th in the Lady Bourbon.  After starting out with 3 straight sprint wins she has been going the route distances and looks to show she belongs with the big game sires. Hoping to show that any day any horse has a shot.

7.   Tarton Zephyr               Owner: Tarton                        rk 1            odds: 11/1

TAPIT x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x MR. PROSPECTOR

6 for 7 wins in her short career so far including the past two that were GR 1.  She is the class of the field and beat most in here last time out. Bred in KY but making her debut here for the home town crowd.  Looks to improve off her 104 SP last time out and prove that she should have been the ML favourite.

8.   Rags and Emperors        Owner: southfork stables       rk 22          odds: 17/1

UNION RAGS x TAPIT x STORM CAT

Won here 3 races ago in the GR 2 Golden Red as the favorite.  Then went the GR 1 circuit in the GR 1 Vermont and Cali Oaks where the competition has proven to be too much to handle. I think this is her last chance at 9F to see if she can bounce back with a better effort.

9.   Z’Ha’Dum                     Owner: Brookline                   rk 6          odds: 17/1

MORE THAN READY x SMART STRIKE x SUMMER SQUALL

Came in 3^rd Gr 3 Lady Bourbon here in March with 103 SP 8F.  First time at this distance after early success in sprints and like Explosive Ghost has had bad luck drawing outside posts 2/3 races. But did learn how to adjust and will be looking for lots of speed up front to set her up nicely.

10.   Ambush The Anthem       Owner: deyoto                  rk 12           odds: 16/1

CALIFORNIA CHROME x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x EASY GOER

3^rd finish in Gr 2 Sell The Queen and then started 2023 with B2B wins in a STK and GR 2 Louisana Oaks 102 SP both at 8.5F. How ever a 9^th in the GR 1 Lool has shown maybe the workload is catching up to her.  6 of 7 routes is the positive and looks to hope last time out was just a small blip.

11.   FreakFire                    Owner: shaiiko                        rk 10          odds: 10/1

WAR FRONT x STREET CRY x UNBRIDLED

6 of 8 career wins with never seeing this distance.  Won the GR 3 Silver Bullet Beer then placed in the GR 1 Lool Oaks.  Both races drawing 100+ SP and looks like the 9F shouldn’t be a problem. Like Endless Elation I wonder if she’ll be able to handle running on short rest after a busy start of the season so far. Public likes what they see and have made her the ML favourite

12.   Endless Elation               Owner: padribri                  rk 8           odds: 18/1

CURLIN x GONE WEST x HALO

Won the GR 2 Sell The Queen last year at this distance.  Then has tackled GR 1 the last two times out including a 2^nd vs Tarton Zephyr where she just didn’t have enough to catch her in the stretch.  Has had a busy 2023 with two starts already and wonder if she’ll have anything in the tank coming back again after a short rest.

13.   Words To Memorize         Owner: asrstar                 rk 25           odds: 14/1

QUALITY ROAD x STORM CAT x DEPUTY MINISTER

Being a bridesmaid is what she does best with 5 2^nd finishes in her career.  Although last time out came in 3^rd in the GR 1 Cali Oaks.  I said at that time sky was the limit for her and expect big things, well this is her 2^nd straight GR 1and first time at this distance with substance. I think she can handle this distance and the PP will help.

14.   Princess Sense                   Owner: bighef                 rk 23            odds: 11/1

STREET SENSE x AWESOME AGAIN x A.P. INDY

Out of HOY Princess Lever. Started the year winning the GR 3 Dubai Guineas and showed in the GR 1 Lool Oaks with both 100+ SP.  And now like momma looks to tackle this distance which is in her pedigree.  Has some mighty big shoes to fill but is on the right track and see what the future holds.

15.   You Get This Tapit              Owner: harrylan           rk 15              odds: 11/1

TAPIT x WAR FRONT x MR. PROSPECTOR

Out of the gate with 3 wins then a rough BB Filly Juv (12^th). Bounced back with ALW win at 9F wire to wire.  Look for her to be a pace setter as she comes back after a GR 2 Fantasia win with a SP 106. With a lot of strong stalkers in this one hopefully jockey A. Rolling with the reins will have enough in the tank to fend them off.

16.   Woette’s Vizion                 Owner: zeco                  rk 13              odds: 18/1

BOTSWANA TAPS x TAPIT x DANZIG

Last time I saw her in the GR 1 Cali Oaks and I said she’ll learn from the experience of her Graded debut. Well she placed in that one with a 103 SP after drawing far outside. Again looking at another first at this distance and the chance for further development. Pulling for her as I just like how she’s been brought along despite another tough outside 16 panels wide draw.

17.  MouthsofDecadance             Owner: asrstar              rk 4               odds: 13/1

WAR FRONT x CANDY RIDE x SEEKING THE GOLD

She was sent here in March and won the GR 1 Lool Oaks coming back from as far as 9 lengths to do it with a 106 SP 8.5F.  Has been training here and again has faced most in here today.  Hopefully the short time between races won’t affect her performance but the PP could be a factor.

18.   Gruelling Bridle                 Owner: amir                 rk 29            odds: 16/1

KNICKS GO x FORTY NINER x UNBRIDLED’S SONG

Concern over the last race where she was favoured in a STK at 9F and never fired at all (12/14) and by 10 lengths.  This after a 3^rd in the GR 1 Vermont just over a month before and a 9.5 F STK win before that.  With the same time elapsed from her last start, I just don’t think she can handle this workload so quickly and give us the quality race were used to seeing from her? But hey! I been proven wrong before and for her health and well being hope this to be the case.

19.   Louisville Genes               Owner: atwbp               rk 24             odds: 23/1

SHAGAF x SPEIGHTSTOWN x SEEKING THE GOLD

A nice story to see a bargain sire Shagaf (25bp) run with the top girls and hold her own in GR 1 races.  2^nd in the GR 1 Walnut and 9^th in the Cali Oaks.  Has finished ITM at 9-9.5 F in ALW so there is potential there.  How can you not cheer for the lower sire?

20.   Storm Swallower              Owner: Stormborn         rk 2               odds: 12/1

TAPIT x STORM CAT x SADLER’S WELLS

Trainer Stormborn has slowly been bringing her along with lengthening her distance and this will be her first at 9F.  Has GR 1 experience with 3 of 4 wins but with that 4^th at 8.5F be it at 2yr in the BB Filly going longer has to be a concern with also a nasty 20 gate draw?  The leading money winner in this race looks to improve off her 106 SP at 8F. Any time you see a Tapit sired horse you have to like your chances and the good track should help.

My Picks for what their worth! Which is well?  Nothing!

7 Tarton Zephyr     just can’t pass up that record

3 Where’s My Heels      that off track swayed me that way

14 Princess Sense      I know past pedigree mare’s don’t translate well, But?