I covered Nest and her visually impressive victory in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland on April 8. There were three other Kentucky Oaks 2022 preps that weekend, and that’s a wrap for the Oaks points races. Nostalgic (G3 Gazelle) and Desert Dawn (G2 SA Oaks) qualified for the Ky Oaks with points race victories on April 9.
The Oaks field will be limited to fourteen starters, and right now the last qualifier with 50 points is Shahama.
Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results
Gazelle (4-9-22) – Winner: Nostalgic ($10.60)
Venti Valentine was the chalk and she set the pace but never really got away from the others. Nostalgic stalked inside, cut the corner, snuck inside Venti Valentine, and slowly edged away to win by a length and a quarter for Jose Ortiz and Bill Mott. Venti Valentine was a clear 2nd and Shotgun Hottie edged Classy Edition for the show. The final time for 9f was 1:50.41. Nostalgic has an excellent pedigree and should continue to develop, but this did not seem like the strongest Oaks prep. Venti Valentine seemingly has distance limitations.
SA Oaks (4-9-22) – Winner: Desert Dawn ($31.20)
Big surprise here. Under the Stars stumbled badly at the start and that changed the race shape. Ain’t Easy went to the front and strong favorite Adare Manor pressed from 2nd. Those two were clear and Desert Dawn started moving closer. Those three separated from the rest and Adare Manor briefly looked like a winner, but Desert Dawn ($31.20) advanced and tried to break loose but Adare Manor fought hard til the end. Desert Dawn prevailed by a neck and Ain’t Easy was 7+ behind those two in 3rd. Under the Stars was next and Microshare eased to the wire and walked off.
Beaumont (4-10-22) – Winner: Matareya ($4.20)
Matareya is a fine sprinter for Brad Cox. She stalked inside speed Lady Scarlet, and took over and won while geared down. Radio Days was up for the place and Reagan’s Decision grabbed show dough over weakening pacesetter Lady Scarlet. None of these runners are targeting the Oaks.
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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
FG Oaks (100-40-20-10) – March 26 – Winner Echo Zulu
Sunland Park Oaks (50-20-10-5) – March 27 – Winner: Cleopatras Charge
GP Oaks (100-40-20-10) – April 2 – Winner: Kathleen O.
Fantasy (100-40-20-10) – April 2 – Winner: Yuugirl
Bourbonette Oaks (50-20-10-5) – April 2 – Winner: Candy Raid
Ashland (100-40-20-10) – April 8 – Winner: Nest
Gazelle (100-40-20-10) – April 9 – Winner: Nostalgic
SA Oaks (100-40-20-10) – April 9 – Winner: Desert Dawn
Beaumont (10-4-2-1) – April 10 – Matareya
Top 22 Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through 4-17-22)
150 Points: Kathleen O.
130 Points: Echo Zulu
120 Points: Nest
114 Points: Yuugiri
108 Points: Desert Dawn
101 Points: Nostalgic
94 Points: Venti Valentine
80 Points: Secret Oath
62 Points: Goddess of Fire
60 Points: Turnerloose
57 Points: Hidden Connection
52 Points: Cocktail Moments
51 Points: Candy Raid
50 Points: Shahama (#14)
41 Points: Shotgun Hottie
40 Points: Ain’t Easy
30 Points: Bubble Rock, Classy Edition
24 Points: Awake At Midnyte
20 Points: Interstatedaydream, Favor
18 Points: Juju’s Map
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 Contenders (4-17-22)
#1 – NEST – Romping Ashland (G1) winner has won three straight stakes and continues to get better.
#2 – SECRET OATH – Exits show finish vs. boys in Arkansas Derby (G1). Crushed fillies at OP this year.
#3 – KATHLEEN O. – Late striding filly is 4-for-4. She exits sharp win in GP Oaks (G2).
#4 – ECHO ZULU – 2YO filly champ just lasted in FG Oaks (G2) return. Forward move needed.
#5 – NOSTALGIC – Gazelle (G3) winner is improving and owns a very classy pedigree for Mott.
Article by Jarrod Horak
