Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 points races were contested since the last time I checked in, and my top choice Nest was impressive again in the Suncoast Stakes art Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 12.
My Oaks list includes a few changes. I had Juju’s Map ranked second, but she has no published workouts this year and drops to the bottom of my list. She will be removed if she does not work prior to my next Oaks update. Queen of Thorns drops out of my Top 5 after finishing a distant 2nd to Adare Manor in the Las Virgenes (G3) on Feb. 6. She has been replaced by Secret Oath.
Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results
Forward Gal (2-5-22) – Winner: Girl With a Dream ($12.80)
In this G3 contest at 7f, Girl With a Dream grabbed the early lead, maintained a clear advantage, and scored by a length over beaten favorite Radio Days. The latter commenced a nice rally around the far turn and could not get by the winner, but McGaughey’s filly was clearly second best. Last Leaf rallied from last to pick up the show, and Diamond Wow chased from 2nd and weakened to 4th in her first start since since last fall. The final time was 1:23.42.
Las Virgenes (2-6-22) – Winner: Adare Manor ($2.80)
Adare Manor followed up her impressive maiden victory with another stroll in the park. In this G3 affair at one mile, she pressed from 2nd, took over after six panels, and widened throughout to score by a baker’s dozen. My top choice Queen of Thorns stalked the pace and was second best. Miss Everything grabbed 3rd over tiring early runner Graceland Gray. The winning time was 1:37.11.
Suncoast Stakes (2-12-22) – Winner: Nest ($2.60)
Nest made short work of this field. She took the overland route to win the Demoiselle (G2) in her final juvenile start, and in her initial sophomore outing at Tampa Bay Downs, she stalked outside in 3rd, cruised to the lead, and aired by six lengths. Alittleloveandluck stalked the pace and was clearly second best. Blamethechampagne tracked from the inside post and grabbed 3rd by a neck over outside stalker Ha’ Penny. The winning time for a mile and forty yards was 1:39.30. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for Todd Pletcher, and she has all the tools to win a race like the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
UAE Oaks (2-17-22) – Winner: Shahama
Shahama, a half-sister to Lookin At Lucky, broke slow in the desert and did not seem to like the kickback. She was steered outside, moved up willingly, and pulled clear to score by two lengths over maidens Arabian Gazelles, Minwah, and Remas. The final time for 9.5f was hardly scintillating (2:02.25). Shahama is now 4-for-4 and could go next in the UAE Derby (G2). A campaign in the USA has not been ruled out.
Rachel Alexandra (2-19-22) – Winner: Turnerloose ($37.00)
The Fair Grounds road to the Kentucky Oaks is usually a productive one, but that might not be the case this year. Silverbulletday winner La Crete was entered in this race, but after briefly showing the way, she was pulled up abruptly and vanned off. With the main speed horse out of commission, Hidden Connection was left all alone out front, but she got tired in the lane. Longshot Goddess of Fire briefly lead and Awake At Midnyte was in the hunt throughout, but Brad Cox’s surface switcher Turnerloose made the last run to pull off the upset. Goddess of Fire was second best and Awake At Midnyte edged Hidden Connection for the show. The final time was a less than inspiring 1:44.22. and I do not think we saw the Oaks winner in this surprisingly weak event. La Crete underwent successful surgery to repair a condylar fracture in her right front leg.
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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
Sant Ynez (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 8 – Winner: Under the Stars
Silverbulletday (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 22 – Winner: La Crete
Busanda (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 23 – Winner: Magic Circle
Martha Washington (10-4-2-1) – Jan. 29 – Winner: Secret Oath
Forward Gal (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 5 – Winner: Girl With a Dream
Las Virgenes (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 6 – Winner: Adare Manor
Suncoast (10-4-2-1) – Feb. 12 – Winner: Nest
UAE Oaks (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 17 – Winner: Shahama
Rachel Alexandra (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 19 – Winner: Turnerloose
Upcoming Oaks Points Races
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 27
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 30 Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through 2-24-22)
50 Points: Turnerloose, Shahama
30 Points: Echo Zulu
22 Points: Goddess of Fire
20 Points: Nest, Arabian Gazelles
18 Points: Juju’s Map
17 Points: Hidden Connection
14 Points: Awake At Midnyte
13 Points: Magic Circle
10 Points: Dream Lith, Secret Oath, Ain’t Easy, Girl With a Dream, North County, Minwah
8 Points: Fannie and Freddie
5 Points: Mama Rina, Remas
4 Points: Cairo Memories, Gerrymander, Optionality, Yuugiri, Alittleloveandluck, Distinctlypossible, Venti Valentine, Queen of Thorns, Morning Matcha, Radio Days
3 Points: Desert Dawn
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 Contenders (2-24-22)
#1 – NEST – Took the overland route in the Demoiselle (G2) and looked great in Suncoast Stakes earlier this month.
#2 – ECHO ZULU – 2YO filly champ went 4-for-4 in 2021. She has worked three times this month (5f in 1:02.40 on Feb. 21).
#3 – AIN’T EASY – Chandelier (G2) winner had ankle surgery in the fall and shows four works this year (5f in 1:00.60 Feb. 20).
#4 – SECRET OATH – Lukas is on the Oaks trail with this promising daughter of Arrogate. Strong win in Martha Washington Jan. 29.
#5 – JUJU’S MAP – No published workouts this year for Brad Cox’s 2021 Alcibiades (G1) winner and BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up.
Article by Jarrod Horak