The Suncoast Stakes was the lone Kentucky Oaks 2025 prep race last weekend, La Cara ran away with that event at Tampa Bay Downs. In this report, I will recap the Suncoast, update the Oaks points standings, and share my latest top five Oaks contenders.
There are two Kentucky Oaks points races this weekend. The Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra will be run at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15, and the Sunland Oaks will be run at Sunland Park on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Rachel Alexandra field: 1 – Anonima (6-1), 2 – Good Cheer (6-5), 3 – Ballerina d’Oro (scratched), 4 – Gowells Delight (12-1), 5 – Aledean (15-1), 6 – Simply Joking (4-1), 7 – Bless the Broken (12-1).
Sunland Oaks field: 1 – Rogue Justice (10-1), 2 – Runnin N Gunnin (3-1), 3 – Pink Pacific (9-2), 4 – Maysam (9-5), 5 – Enchanting (7-2), 6 – Street Colors (15-1), 7 – Stubby (10-1).
Kentucky Oaks 2025 Points Race Recaps
Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (2-8-25): It is always nice to see horses improve from age 2 to 3, and that is what we got from La Cara. She won the Pocahontas (G3) last year and was well-beaten in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1). In this event, she went straight to the front and Cloe pressed from the outside post. La Cara found another gear and widened in the lane and won by 6 1/4 lengths under Dylan Davis. Her Laugh was expected to be part of the pace but threw her head at the break and gave the others a head start. She rallied from last to finish a clear second in a good effort. Deloraine rallied to finish best of the rest in third. My top choice Italian Soiree worked out a comfortable stalking trip and ended up an even fourth under Flavien Prat. Dancing Magic, Cloe, Queen in the Deck, and Junta also ran. Mark Casse saddled the winner. Fractions: 24.03, 47.08, 1:11.54, 1:36.15, 1:38.51.
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)
Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18 – Winner: Running Away ($5.10)
Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18 – Winner: Simply Joking ($5.40)
Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 25 – Winner: Take Charge Milady ($7.20)
Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Eclatant ($10.00)
Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 2 – Winner: Tenma ($2.40)
Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8 – Winner: La Cara ($9.20)
Upcoming Oaks Points Races:
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 20 Kentucky Oaks 2025 Points Leaders (thru 2-13-25)
Tenma (33 points)
La Cara (33 points)
Eclatant (23 points)
Good Cheer, Take Charge Milady, Simply Joking, Her Laugh, Running Away (20 points)
Vodka With a Twist, Quietside (18 points)
Scottish Lassie (16 points)
Look Forward (15 points)
Quickick (14 points)
Muhimma, Non Compliant, Stunner, Bless the Broken, My Sherrona, Cipriani (10 points)
Liam in the Dust (8 points)
Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2025 Contenders (2-13-25)
#1 – Muhimma (Munnings – Princess Carolina, by Tapit) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: This unbeaten filly is getting closer to her first start of the year. She has breezed five times this year including a 5f move in 1:02.00 (2/20) at Payson Park on Feb. 8. She might begin her 3-year-old campaign in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn on Feb. 22.
#2 – Ballerina d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro – In the Moonlight, by Tapit) – Trainer: Chad Brown – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: She was entered in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15 but spiked a temperature and was forced to scratch. Last year’s Demoiselle (G2) runner-up was training with a purpose prior to getting sick in Florida. Chad Brown will work out an upcoming schedule after she recovers from this setback.
#3 – Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro – Wedding Toast, by Street Sense) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: Brad Cox’s 4-for-4 filly is the strong favorite in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15, and her job was made easier after Ballerina d’Oro got sick and scratched. She breezed 5f in 1:02.00 (2/20) at Payson Park on Feb. 8.
#4 – Quickick (McKinzie – Graeme Six, by Graeme Hall) – Trainer: Tom Amoss – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: She hit the board in two Grade 1 routes last year (2nd in Alcibiades, 3rd in BC Juvenile Fillies). She is wintering at Fair Grounds and has breezed three times this year. Her most recent work was 5f move in 1:01.40 (6/22) on Feb. 9. It looks like she will begin her sophomore campaign in the Honeybee at Oaklawn on Feb. 22.
# 5 Pretty Sassy (Medaglia d’Oro – Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) Trainer: Brendan Walsh – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: She joined my list after her romping dirt route maiden win as the even money favorite at Fair Grounds on Jan. 19. She breezed twice this month and is entered in an optional-claiming dirt route at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15 (race 2). A big effort on Saturday would most likely lead to a start in an upcoming points race.
Next Nine: (6) Tenma, (7) La Cara, (8) Her Laugh, (9) Simply Joking, (10) Look Forward, (11) Take Charge Milady, (12) Wondrous, (13) Running Away, (14) Scottish Lassie
