The first Kentucky Oaks 2022 points race of the new year is the Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 8. There are three more Oaks points races later this month. I will update this blog frequently in the coming weeks and months, and make sure to check out my Oaks points race video series as well.
Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results
Grade 2 Demoiselle (12-4-21) – Winner: Nest ($5.50)
My top choice Nest took the overland route and ran a quality race in this nine furlong contest. She raced wide throughout while stalking the pace, and made a sustained outside run to score by a neck. Venti Valentine chased hard throughout and missed by a neck in a fine runner-up effort, and Magic Circle set the pace and stayed on well to finish a clear 3rd. Nostalgic completed the top four and expensive purchase Tap the Faith was well clear of the rest in 5th. She had a bad start, and raced wide and rank in a disappointing effort. The final time of 1:55.07 was much slower than the Remsen (1:53.61).
Grade 1 Starlet (12-4-21) – Winner: Eda ($4.20)
Eda was bet down for Bob Baffert and she battled on the pace, took the lead, was passed by Tonito’s, and came back to score by a determined half-length under Juan Hernandez. Cairo Memories stalked outside and kept on grinding in the lane to edge Tonito’s for the place. Desert Dawn and Benedict Canyon were next, and my top choice Grace Adler eased. The latter has completely lost her way after easily winning the Del Mar Debutante (G1).
Untapable Stakes (12-26-21) – Winner: North County ($9.80)
Shotgun Hottie set the pace but weakened to 4th in the stretch. Fannie and Freddie chased from 2nd, took over, and looked home free, but North County took up the chase, kept plugging away, and reeled in the stretch leader to score by a neck. Fannie and Freddie was second best in a race she let slip away, and Cocktail Moments was a bit one-paced in a clear show finish as the beaten favorite. Feeling Happy and California Angel also ran. The final time was 1:43.17 for a mile and seventy yards. This speed rating was nothing special and this looked like an average Oaks prep.
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Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results
Pocahontas (10-4-2-1) – Sep. 18 – Winner: Hidden Connection
Chandelier (10-4-2-1) – Oct. 1 – Winner: Ain’t Easy
Frizette (10-4-2-1) – Oct. 3 – Winner: Echo Zulu
Alcibiades (10-4-2-1) – Oct. 8 – Winner: Juju’s Map
BC Juvenile Fillies (20-8-4-2) – Nov. 5 – Winner: Echo Zulu
Golden Rod (10-4-2-1) – Nov. 27 – Winner: Dream Lith
Demoiselle (10-4-2-1) – Dec. 4 – Winner: Nest
Starlet (10-4-2-1) – Dec. 4 – Winner: Eda
Untapable (10-4-2-1) – Dec. 26 – Winner: North County
Upcoming Oaks Points Races
Santa Ynez (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 9
Silverbulletday (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 22
Busanda (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 23
Martha Washington (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 29
Forward Gal (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 5
Suncoast (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 5
Las Virgenes (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 6
UAE Oaks (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 17
Rachel Alexandra (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 19
Honeybee (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 26
Cincinnati Trophy (10-4-2-1) – March 5
Davona Dale (50-20-10-5) – March 5
Busher (50-20-10-5) – March 5
Santa Ysabel (50-20-10-5) – March 6
FG Oaks (100-40-20-10) – March 26
Sunland Park Oaks (50-20-10-5) – March 26
GP Oaks (100-40-20-10) – April 2
Fantasy (100-40-20-10) – April 2
Bourbonette Oaks (50-20-10-5) – April 2
Ashland (100-40-20-10) – April 8
Gazelle (100-40-20-10) – April 9
SA Oaks (100-40-20-10) – April 9
Beaumont (10-4-2-1) – April 10
Top 20 Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through 1-6-22)
30 Points: Echo Zulu
18 Points: Juju’s Map
12 Points: Hidden Connection
10 Points: Dream Lith, Nest, Ain’t Easy, North County
5 Points: Mama Rina
4 Points: Tarabi, Cairo Memories, Gerrymander, Yuugiri, Distinctlypossible, Venti Valentine, Electric Ride, Fannie and Freddie
3 Points: Magic Circle, Desert Dawn
2 Points: Sandstone, Sequist, Tonito’s, A Mo Reay, Goddess of Fire, Cocktail Moments
1 Point: Famed, Code for Success, Nostalgic, Shotgun Hottie
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 Contenders (1-6-22)
#1 – ECHO ZULU – Likely 2YO filly champ overwhelms her foes with speed. Rachel Alexandra (G2) at FG Feb. 19 might be next.
#2 – JUJU’S MAP – Alcibiades (G1) winner no match for Echo Zulu in G1 BC Juvenile Fillies (G1). Next start undecided.
#3 – NEST – Took the long way around in the Demoiselle (G2). She returned to the worktab at Palm Beach Downs Jan. 1.
#4 – AIN’T EASY – Chandelier (G2) winner had ankle surgery in the fall and is expected to resume training in the near future.
#5 – QUEEN OF THORNS – Romping, geared down winner in her 6f bow at SA Jan. 1. The Las Virgenes (G3) on Feb, 6 might be next.
Article by Jarrod Horak
