Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 points races were contested since the last time I checked in, and Secret Oath did it again in the Honeybee (G3) for D. Wayne Lukas. She was so impressive in that event that her connections have opted to take on the Boys in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park next month.
My Oaks list includes one significant change. I had Juju’s Map ranked in my top five since I began my list last year. She finally returned to the worktab March 5, but she has not worked since and is rapidly running out of time to qualify for the big race on the first Friday in May. She drops off the list and will be replaced by Kathleen O.
There are no Oaks points races this weekend. The final round of Oaks preps begin March 26 and end April 10.
Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results
Honeybee (2-26-22) – Winner: Secret Oath ($2.60)
Secret Oath dominated this one as the heavy favorite. The daughter of Arrogate stalked the pace, found an inside opening, and quickly spurted away to cruise home by 7+ lengths. Ice Orchid stalked the pace and outfinished Yuugiri for the place. The latter was my top choice and she pressed, led, and ended up miles clear of the rest in her first start since last fall. Free Like a Girl was 4th, and Red Queen finished well in front of tiring front runner Optionality. The final time was a rock solid 1:44.74.
Cincinnati Trophy (3-5-22) – Winner: Bubble Rock ($12.40)
The two favorites dominated this race throughout. Overwhelming chalk Marissa’s Lady set the pace and second betting choice Bubble Rock tracked that one from the outside post. They kicked away from the others in the stretch and Bubble Rock edged clear to score by 2-1/2 lengths. Marissa’s Lady was clearly second best and my value top choice Tap Dancing Lady completed the trifecta. Bhoma was 4th and Zawish, Queen Judith, Hal’s Dream, and Glacken’s Cause also ran. The winner completed her one mile journey on all-weather ground in 1:37.19.
Davona Dale (3-5-22) – Winner: Kathleen O. ($6.60)
The early pace was relatively quick early, especially the first internal fraction of 22.66. They slowed it down after that but the closers got all the help they needed. Kathleen O. rallied from last to overtake the leaders in a solid triumph by two lengths. Classy Edition rallied inside to garner the place, and Cocktail Moments rallied to edge Sweet Dani Girl for the show. The latter was forwardly placed before weakening, along with Outfoxed, Girl With a Dream, and Mi Negrita. The final clocking for the one-turn mile was an okay 1:36.23.
Busher (3-5-22) – Winner: Venti Valentine ($12.60)
Not much drama in this event. Venti Valentine stalked the early leaders, inched up outside, took over turning for home, and crossed the line 7+ in front of Shotgun Hottie, and Magic Circle was best of the rest in 3rd. Heavy favorite Radio Days turned in a clunker while 11+ behind the top three, and Sterling Silver trailed throughout. This was not a deep Oaks prep to say the least. The final time for 8f was 1:39.65 with a pedestrian final fraction of 27.03.
Santa Ysabel (3-6-22) – Winner: Eda ($8.60)
A short field with Baffert runners finishing 1-2, and everyone knows that runners from his barn are ineligible to earn points in Derby and Oaks preps. Eda set the pace and held off her stablemate Under the Stars to win by a bit less than a length. The runner-up chased from the outside post in her first route attempt and probably ran the best overall race. Show finisher Ain’t Easy failed to capitalize on a decent inner tactical trip, but it was her first start in 5+ months and she should be fitter next time. Desert Dawn was a good ten lengths in front of the rest in 4th. The final time was 1:44.31 for the 8.5f dirt affair on a fast track.
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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
Honeybee (50-20-10-5) – Feb. 26.- Winner: Secret Oath
Cincinnati Trophy (10-4-2-1) – March 5 – Winner: Bubble Rock
Davona Dale (50-20-10-5) – March 5 – Winner: Kathleen O.
Busher (50-20-10-5) – March 5 – Winner: Venti Valentine
Santa Ysabel (50-20-10-5) – March 6 – Winner: Eda
Upcoming Oaks Points Races
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 35 Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through 3-16-22)
60 Points: Secret Oath
54 Points: Venti Valentine
50 Points: Turnerloose, Kathleen O., Shahama
30 Points: Echo Zulu
23 Points: Magic Circle
22 Points: Goddess of Fire
21 Points: Shotgun Hottie
20 Points: Nest, Ain’t Easy, Ice Orchid, Classy Edition
18 Points: Juju’s Map
17 Points: Hidden Connection
14 Points: Yuugiri, Awake At Midnyte
12 Points: Cocktail Moments
10 Points: Dream Lith, Bubble Rock, Girl With a Dream, North County
9 Points: Radio Days
8 Points: Desert Dawn, Fannie and Freddie
5 Points: Sweet Dani, Free Like a Girl
4 Points: Marissa’s Lady. Cairo Memories, Optionality, Morning Matcha, Distinctlypossible, Queen of Thorns
2 Points: Sandstone, Sequist
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 Contenders (3-16-22)
#1 – NEST – Looked sharp in Feb. 12 Suncoast Stakes. The April 8 Ashland (G1) is her next assignment.
#2 – SECRET OATH – Another strong win in Honeybee (G3). She faces the boys in April 2 Arkansas Derby (G1).
#3 – ECHO ZULU – 2YO filly champ has worked six times this year (5f in 1:00.20 on March 14). FG Oaks (G2) is next.
#4 – AIN’T EASY – Chandelier (G2) winner returned with okay 3rd in Santa Ysabel (G3). She can go better in SA Oaks (G2).
#5 – KATHLEEN O. – Shug’s late running Davona Dale (G3) winner in 3-for-3. Up next is the GP Oaks (G2) on April 2.
