Two more Kentucky Oaks 2021 preps are in the books and Will’s Secret was the more impressive of the two winners. Dallas Stewart’s filly floated over the wet surface at Oaklawn Park in a sharp off the pace victory in the Martha Washington Stakes on Jan. 30. Earlier in the day, Zaajel won a slow renewal of the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Kentucky Oaks 2021 Points Race Recaps
Forward Gal (G3) – Gulfstream Park (1-30-21)
This was a very slow race and second time starter and strong favorite Zaajel secured the victory by a length and a quarter. The pace was honest and Zaajel broke slow, moved up outside and stalked the pace, and took the lead and safely held off Lady Traveler’s stretch bid. The latter got past stalker Wholebodemeister in deep stretch. The order of finish was completed by Dial To Win, Coach Jer’s Joy, Competitive Speed, Three Typsy Chix, and Queen Arella.
Martha Washington – Oaklawn Park (1-30-21)
This flat mile affair was contested over a muddy racetrack and Will’s Secret loved the going. Sylvia Q, Lady Lilly, and Joy’s Rocket mixed it up early. Coach was the first to move from the back and Will’s Secret followed that one and started to gather serious momentum. Nobody could match strides with Will’s Secret in the lane and she kicked well clear to score by 5+ lengths. Joy’s Rocket saved all the ground chasing the pace, led into the lane, was clearly second after Will’s Secret took over, but Coach steadily wore her down for runner-up honors. The latter was squeezed back to last early, advanced wide, and remained well off the rail in the lane in an okay second place finish. Joy’s Rocket was 6+ clear of Sylvia Q, Lady Lilly, and Novel Squall. This wet track event was faster than the Forward Gal (G3) and the top three ran okay, but the final rating was still not great.
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Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through Martha Washington 1-30-21)
24 Points: Vequist
18 Points: Dayoutoftheoffice
14 Points: Girl Daddy, Kalypso, Varda
13 Points: Simply Ravishing
12 Points: Travel Column
10 Points: Charlie’s Penny, Malathaat, The Grass Is Blue, Will’s Secret, Zaajel
8 Points: Crazy Beautiful
6 Points: Coach
4 Points: Clairiere, Coffee Bar, Frosteria, Lady Traveler, Millefeuille, Souper Sensational
3 Points: Joy’s Rocket
2 Points: Alexandria, Brilliant Cut, Cilla, Diamond Ore, Malibu Curl, Miss Costa Rica, Moon Swag, Nasreddine, Wholebodemeister
1 Point: Astute, Cafe Society, Dial To Win, Illumination, Queengol, Sun Path, Sylvia Q, Thoughtfully, Traffic Lane, Xtrema
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Upcoming Kentucky Oaks 2021 Points Races
Suncoast (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 6
Las Virgenes (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 6
Rachel Alexandra (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 13
UAE Oaks (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 18
Cincinnati Trophy (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 26
Davona Dale (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 27
Busher (50-20-10-5) – March 6
Honeybee (50-20-10-5) – March 6
Santa Ysabel (50-20-10-5) – March 7
FG Oaks (100-40-20-10) – March 20
Bourbonette Oaks (20-8-4-2) – March 27
GP Oaks (100-40-20-10) – March 27
SA Oaks (100-40-20-10) – April 3
Gazelle (100-40-20-10) – April 3
Ashland (100-40-20-10) – April 3
Beaumont (10-4-2-1) – April 3
Fantasy (100-40-20-10) – April 3
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2021 Contenders (2-2-21)
#1 – TRAVEL COLUMN – Golden Rod (G2) winner in steady training at FG.
#2 – CLAIRIERE – Golden Rod runner-up breezing once-a-week at FG.
#3 – VEQUIST – Champion 2-Year-Old Filly worked 5f in Florida Jan. 30.
#4 – MOONLIGHT D’ORO – Strong 8f maiden win at LRC Dec. 13 and three SA works since.
#5 – MISS BRAZIL – Fine maiden win at AQU Nov. 29. Four solid works at AQU last month.
Article by Jarrod Horak
