Jude Feld’s Kentucky Oaks Day Stakes Selections
May 2nd, 2013
6th Race) Last year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner, #4 BELIEVE YOU CAN, has been perfect in 2013, winning both her starts. She has trained super here and is the filly to beat in the La Troienne (G2). #3 MORE CHOCOLATE exits a very fast renewal of the Santa Margarita (G1), where she ran second to Joyful Victory. The John Sadler-trained miss will have hot-riding Joel Rosario to guide her this afternoon. #5 ON FIRE BABY also relishes the Churchill Downs main track. Her Apple Blossom victory was extra game but she could bounce off that effort running back in three weeks.
7th Race) #5 BIRDLOVER is the controlling speed in the Edgewood. She always gives her best and may have found the mile and an eighth of the Providencia (G3) just a tad too long. She should be tough shortening up in distance and jockey Kevin Krigger enhances her chances. #9 TOKYO TIME is bred in the purple. She just missed winning the Herecomesthebride (G3) at Gulfstream Park in her last start. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro looks like a major player here. #4 JUDY IN DISGUISE had a ton of trouble in the Beaumont (G2) at Keeneland, a race she maybe should have won. She tries two turns for the first time and could be salty if she gets the trip.
8th Race) Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott is not noted for his sprinters, but he has a nice one on his hands in #14 CALISTOGA. The speedy daughter of Speightstown has been a perfect two-for-two in her abbreviated career. She draws the advantageous outside post allowing jockey Joel Rosario to place her at will in the early stages of the Eight Belles (G3). #3 BLUEEYESINTHEREIN is three-for-three lifetime. She is two-for-two at Churchill Downs and has a perfect pressing style for this event. She should like the mud too if the weather is dodgy. #8 GOLD MEDAL DANCER is also undefeated. She picked up her second victory last time out at Oaklawn Park on a sloppy track. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, trained by Donnie Von Hemel, should run well rain or shine. #11 DANCINGINTHECIRCLE is reliable for a good effort. She has been training like a bomb at Churchill Downs for this race and draws the attention of jockey Rosie Napravnik.
9th Race) #8 BOURBON COURAGE has been knocking on the door against top company all over the country. The Kellyn Gorder trainee finally gets a pace scenario to benefit him and he finds an Alysheba (G2) field where he has a condition edge as well. #6 TAKE CHARGE INDY has tactical speed and should be out winging early. He hasn’t won since taking last year’s Florida Derby (G1), but the son of A.P. Indy gets his best chance today. #7 MACHO MACHO probably needed his race in the New Orleans Handicap (G2). He owns a win over the track and jockey Corey Nakatani sees fit to fly in to ride him.
10th Race) It seems as if #4 NOBLE TUNE is a class standout in the American Turf (G2). Already a Grade 3 winner, he came close to winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) when second to George Vancouver. The Chad Brown-trained son of Unbridled’s Song is the day’s most likely winner. #2 BASHAAR has never run on turf. His last two races have been his best and his pedigree dictates the grass should not be a problem for him.
11th Race) #2 MIDNIGHT LUCKY has blitzed her competition in both of her lifetime starts. She has posted two sparkling works at Churchill Downs for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert preparing for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) and seems to be sitting on tilt. #4 UNLIMITED BUDGET has yet to get beat. She has three excellent drills over the track and appears to love Louisville as much or more than New York and New Orleans. Trainer Todd Pletcher has her ready to rock and roll. #11 CLOSE HATCHES has done everything asked of her. She has also looked fantastic in her morning outings and a win here would not be shocking. Two-year-old champion #3 BEHOLDER is an absolutely beautiful filly. Her pedigree gets the acid test for distance today, but her Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella has worked wonders in the past. Ignore her at your peril.
