The Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park was the first Kentucky Oaks 2025 prep race of the new year, and post time favorite Look Forward was a popular winner by a head over recent maiden winner Artisma. In this report, I will recap the Santa Ynez, update the Oaks points standings, and share my latest top five Oaks contenders.
Kentucky Oaks 2025 Points Race Recaps
Santa Ynez Stakes (7f): Silent Law made the lead as expected for Hernandez/Baffert, but seven panels was a bit too far. Look Forward ($5.40) was the favorite, and she stalked, got clear, and held off stalking second timer Artisma by a head. Artisma ran a quality race from the outside post and was 4 1/4 lengths in front of clear show finisher Silent Law. The order of finished was completed by Howin, A. Z. Wildcat, Practical Dream, Polyrthene Pam, and Mawu (eased, pulled up, walked off). Mario Gutierrez rode the winner for Michael McCarthy and this was a Kentucky Oaks 2025 points race (10-5-3-2-1). This was the slowest final clocking of this race ever. Fractions: 22.14, 44.98, 1:11.46, 1:25.42.
Kentucky Oaks 2025 Points Race Results
Pocahontas (10-5-3-2-1) – Sep. 16 – Winner: La Cara ($12.72)
Alcibiades (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 6 – Winner: Immersive ($5.34)
Frizette (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 7 – Winner: Scottish Lassie ($15.00)
Oak Leaf (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 7 – Winner: Non Compliant ($4.00)
Rags to Riches (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 29 – Winner: Good Cheer ($3.48)
BC Juvenile Fillies (30-15-9-6-3) – Nov. 3 – Winner: Immersive ($6.00)
Golden Rod (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 30 – Winner: Good Cheer ($3.32)
Demoiselle (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 7 – Winner: Muhimma ($2.80)
Starlet (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 7 – Winner: Tenma ($7.00)
Untapable (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 21 – Winner: Her Laugh ($11.00)
Sant Ynez (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 5 – Winner: Look Forward ($5.40)
Upcoming Oaks Points Races:
Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18
Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18
Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 25
Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1
Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 2
Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8
Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 15
Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 16
Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 21
UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 21
Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 22
Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 2
Virginia Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 15
Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 22
FG Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Fantasy (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
GP Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Ashland (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4
Gazelle (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
SA Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Top 25 Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Leaders (thru 1-9-25)
Immersive (40 points)
Good Cheer (20 points)
Vodka With a Twist (18 points)
Scottish Lassie (16 points)
Look Forward (15 points)
Quickick (14 points)
Tenma, La Cara (13 points)
Muhimma, Non Compliant, Her Laugh (10 points)
Quietside, Liam in the Dust (8 points)
Nooni (6 points)
Snowyte, Ballerina d’Oro, Claire’s Charm, Artisma, Golden Gamble (5 points)
Sherbini, Icona Mama (4 points)
Social Fortress, Silent Law, Eclatant, California Sunset (3 points)
Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2025 Contenders (1-9-25)
#1 – Immersive (Nyquist – Gap Year, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: The Eclipse Awards will be held on Jan. 23 and Immersive is expected to be named 2-year-old filly champion. She was a perfect 4-for-4 in 2024 and is a 3-time Grade 1 winner. She will winter at Fair Grounds and was recently nominated to the LA Derby.
#2 – Muhimma (Munnings – Princess Carolina, by Tapit) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: She won three races from as many outings in 2024. She was on cruise control in the Grade 2 Demoiselle when last seen Dec. 7. Her early speed should make her a major player from the outset in upcoming Oaks points races.
#3 – Quickick (McKinzie – Graeme Six, by Graeme Hall) – Trainer: Tom Amoss – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: This filly raced four times last year. She moved forward in her extended sprint maiden win second time out, and stretched out and was second in the Alcibiades (G1) and third in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1). She is wintering at Fair Grounds.
#4 – Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro – Wedding Toast, by Street Sense) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: The unbeaten filly is an Eclipse Award finalist and she won the Golden Rod (G2) on Nov. 30 to end her juvenile season. She is wintering in Florida and got back to work with a 3f bullet in 37.00 (1/14) at Payson Park on Jan. 4.
#5 – Ballerina d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro – In the Moonlight, by Tapit) – Trainer: Chad Brown – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: The surface switch paid off with a closing runner-up finish behind Muhimma in the Demoiselle (G2) on Dec. 7, and she was 6+ lengths clear of show finisher Liam in the Dust. Chad Brown’s filly is wintering in Florida and she breezed a half-mile in 49.20 (7/61) at Payson Park on Jan. 6.
Next Nine: (6) Non Compliant, (7) Tenma, (8) Senza Parole, (9) Quietside, (10) Scottish Lassie, (11) Look Forward, (12) Vodka With a Twist, (13) Her Laugh, (14) Golden Gamble
