The latest round of Kentucky Oaks 2021 preps were outstanding. Clairiere and Travel Column put on a show in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds, and those two have quite a rivalry brewing. Many miles away in the Dubai desert, Mnasek was in a class by herself in the UAE Oaks at Meydan Racecourse.
Kentucky Oaks 2021 Points Race Recaps
Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) – Fair Grounds (2-13-21)
This was a match race on paper and the two favorites did not disappoint. Longshot early runner Off We Go was keyed up early and stopped. Travel Column was the even money favorite, and she stalked wide from the outside post and hit the front early when Off We Go faltered. Clairiere was always traveling sweetly while saving ground behind the speed from the inside post. Joe Talamo was aboard Clairiere and he rode her perfectly. She was only about a length and a half behind Travel Column at the six furlong mark, and her inside tactical position and ample stamina allowed her to reel in the early leader and score by a neck. Travel Column ran a winning race but could not quite go with the winner late, and she was 6+ clear of late running show finisher Moon Swag. Littlestitious completed the superfecta. Travel Column overcame trouble to beat Clairiere in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs last fall, and those two wee much the best in this race. They figure to meet again in the FG Oaks on March 20.
UAE Oaks (G3) – Meydan Racecourse (2-18-21)
Mnasek ran away from her competition in this 9.5f Oaks points race in Dubai. She stalked inside in 5th place early, and eased out, stalked four wide, ranged up strongly in the stretch, and pulled well clear at the end. Nayefah found her best stride late and was second best. Last Sunset was a clear 3rd and Al Maroom was a weakening 4th. The impressive winner is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Empire Maker, and her conditioner Doug Watson has not ruled out a trip to the US.
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Top 20 Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through UAE Oaks 2-18-21)
54 Points: Clairiere
50 Points: Mnasek
32 Points: Travel Column
24 Points: Vequist
20 Points: Nayefah
18 Points: Dayoutoftheoffice, Kalypso
14 Points: Girl Daddy, Varda
13 Points: Simply Ravishing
12 Points: Moon Swag
10 Points: Curlin’s Catch, Last Sunset, Malathaat, The Grass Is Blue, Will’s Secret, Zaajel
8 Points: Crazy Beautiful
6 Points: Coach
5 Points: Al Maroom, Littlestitious
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Upcoming Kentucky Oaks 2021 Points Races
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 (2-21-21)
#1 – TRAVEL COLUMN – Golden Rod winner could not hold off Clairiere in Rachel Alexandra.
#2 – CLAIRIERE – Rachel Alexandra winner to face Travel Column again in FG Oaks.
#3 – VEQUIST – Champion 2-Year-Old Filly returns to action in Davona Dale Feb. 27.
#4 – MISS BRAZIL – Easy front running win vs. two rivals in her Ruthless return Feb. 8.
#5 – SLUMBER PARTY – Strong 7f debut romp at GP Jan. 24. Working steadily since bow.
Article by Jarrod Horak
