The Oaks de English
The Oaks de English Grade I
The Oaks de English Grade I brings together some of the best 3yo staying fillies and mares in the world. The Oaks de English will be run over a mile and a half on the firm turf course and the 2010 edition will see 9 fillies head to the starting gates, four of the fillies already graded winners. Will it be one of the more experienced graded winners who takes it out or an up and comer looking for the mile and a half journey to get their name on the trophy. Here are the runners.
1. IRISH SUN(GER) 8/1
(MONSUN(GER) x BLUSHING GROOM(FR) x IRISH RIVER(FR))
T Liverson ( 46 – 7 – 2 – 3 – 15% )
Irish Sun is a stunning looking brown mare from the cthstable. She comes into this race, her biggest test in a 12 start career, after an impressive front running display last time out over 11 furlongs when she jumped quickly and was never headed to win by over 4 lengths increasing her margin as the race went on. On that performance you would expect the mile and a half to be to her liking and with the German sire Monsun at the head of her pedigree you would expect she will definitely get more ground. Last time out was a dramatic improvement on early career form though and we may want to see her string a few together and continue to improve above her career best 100 speed rating before unloading the bank account on her.
2. KETARING(KY) 6/1
(EL PRADO(IRE) x FAPPIANO x KRIS S.)
D Aniel ( 261 – 34 – 38 – 29 – 13% )
This girl has continued to improve as the distances have increased over her brief 6 start career and looks to be a star of the future. Last time out she brained the field to win the Diana Trail Grade II by 3 lengths over 11 furlongs. Her speed figure of 101 would be very competitive in this and she is likely to be rattling home late. Ketaring has now won 4 of her last 5 races and looks ready for her first grade I race. A very good chance of taking the big prize here.
3. SKYKOMISH DRIFT(ENG) 11/1
(GREEN DESERT x FAPPIANO x HALO)
S Shady ( 45 – 4 – 6 – 7 – 9% )
This Green Desert mare comes into the race with some reasonable form over shorter. She has done most of her racing over 8 – 9 furlongs and only missed a placing in 1 of her 8 turf starts. This is definitely her biggest test so far in her career and although a stakes winner as a 2 year old she hasn’t yet shown that the mile and a half journey will suit her. Expect to see her up and about the place early challenging for the lead and we will just have to wait and see if she gets the trip.
4. SCREAMO(KY) 2/1
(GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x DANZIG x LYPHARD)
T Nugent ( 185 – 19 – 21 – 20 – 10% )
You would have to say Screamo is the real star in this lineup and his odds reflect that. This impressive 3yo filly is proven in graded company already having a grade I win and another couple of grade I placings on her resume. She is another that is unproven at the distance and has done most of her racing over 6 – 8 furlongs but with over $1.2m already in career earnings you would expect she would be a good chance in this race. She has rattled home in her last two races to just miss over 8 furlongs and may just have the stamina to finish over the top of these.
5. WINNING HEARTS(IRE) 14/1
(DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) x LEMON DROP KID x PRIVATE ACCOUNT)
A Breadfan ( 59 – 9 – 3 – 7 – 15% )
It is a big step up in class for this filly, she comes into the race after winning her maiden two back and adding an allowance win last time out but has never competed in stakes or graded company. It does appear that she can stay however as she has saluted over 11 furlongs at her last two races but she would need to improve significantly on the 90 speed figure she posted last time if she was to win this.
6. BOHASSOMELEFT(KY) 21/1
(GONE WEST x SEATTLE SLEW x RIVERMAN)
K Marky ( 55 – 7 – 5 – 5 – 13% )
Another competitor who is stepping up from allowance company and would need to improve considerably to challenge the more fancied rivals in this. She has however won her last three starts in relatively impressive fashion and is bred to be anything. She looks to be maturing into a nice mare but I’m not quite sure she is ready for this yet.
7. COLD EMPIRE(KY) 5/2
(EMPIRE MAKER x WILD AGAIN x COZZENE)
R Whisper ( 361 – 93 – 70 – 59 – 26% )
Another who looks set for a massive future. Since stepping up in distance she has shown what a huge motor she has and has been finishing like a shot out of a gun. Last time out she came from over 17 lengths off the leaders to win by 3 lengths in the grade I Sydney Oaks. That was a very impressive victory and the authority that she won with may have scared a few owners from nominating their 3 year olds for this feature. She’s exciting to watch and has a top jockey on board, she is the one the crowds will come to see and for mine she will be winning this race.
8. GIRL GOT BACK(KY) 8/1
(TIZNOW x DANZIG x CAPOTE)
I Swanny ( 71 – 11 – 5 – 8 – 15% )
Another of the get back and run on types but once again she is unproven up against this class. She has shown some form in stakes and graded races but her only win in a 12 start career has been her maiden. She runs reasonable time but I think in this field is slightly out of her depth.
9. HOPE OF KINGDOMS(KY) 6/1
(UNBRIDLED’S SONG x NORTHERN DANCER x SEATTLE SLEW)
R Harzheim ( 335 – 72 – 57 – 54 – 21% )
Hope of Kingdoms is a dashing grey filly who we can expect will settle just behind leaders before challenging into the straight. In a profitable 9 start career she has won 5 and earned over $340 000 for connections and last time out when stepping up to this journey for the first time she showed promise running second to the explosive Cold Empire in the Sydney Oaks. She is capable of improving on that performance and is likely to be stronger here. A very good place chance.
Good luck to all horses, owners and trainers in this big race. My tips for the Oaks de English are:
1. Cold Empire
2. Hope of Kingdoms
3. Ketaring