Picture: Sophie Shore/Eclipse Sportswire
That is the third installment of our weekly characteristic. horse racing nation It tracks the Kentucky Derby horses at Churchill Downs via the primary Saturday in Could.
Whereas this characteristic will deal with the Kentucky Derby normally, we can’t overlook in regards to the fillies. This week’s prime prospects are: 2026 Kentucky Oaks Featured in my new prime 10 rating.
1. Unusual issues (American Pharaoh – written by Moe Greene and Uncle Moe)
The $350,000 yearling, educated by Todd Pletcher, made fairly an impression within the first two races of her profession. Zany, who was despatched off because the second favourite with 2 wins and 1 loss in his first dash at Gulfstream Park in early November, confirmed off his early pace and dominated the competitors. He posted a rating of 6 1/2 lengths over 6 1/2 furlongs, setting the stage for his stakes debut in 5 weeks. Much more spectacular was his overwhelming victory within the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) by 8 1/2 lengths within the 9-furlong race.
2. Tremendous Runner (Gun Runner – Tremendous Easy by Tremendous Saber)
From John Sadler’s barn, this California-based mare is bred to get pleasure from two turns. Not surprisingly, she improved with every begin as the gap elevated. The $400,000 yearling made his third profession begin with an exciting maiden rating on the flat mile at Santa Anita, adopted by an upset rating in opposition to common Explorer within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
3. Discover (Blame-Collections Selection, written by Bernardini)
Coach Bob Baffert, a three-time Kentucky Oaks winner, sees one other robust candidate for the fashionable filly. The two-year-old, who was bought for coaching for $350,000, has already raced in three vital Southern California stakes races since her spectacular debut win. After a giant win within the Oak Leaf Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, he was favored to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar, however he was unable to dislodge Tremendous Corredora with one other robust run.
4. Lovely dancer (Road Sense~Fairly Metropolis Dancer, written by Tapit)
This undefeated Godolphin homebred horse, sired by a Kentucky Derby winner and produced by a Kentucky Oaks winner, is produced the primary Friday in Could. With a pointy debut win in her maiden dash at Keeneland, she rapidly cruised to victory in her stakes debut for coach Brendan Walsh. Maybe as a future attraction, she completed the 1 1/16-mile Goldenrod Stakes (G2) on Churchill Downs’ predominant observe for a decisive victory.
5. That means (Gun Runner – Diagram of Speech, written by Into Mischief)
The second mare listed as a brood by Gun Runner, the Michael McCarthy-trained younger horse regarded in good kind profitable her first experience at Los Alamitos in September. Armed solely with a fast first rating of 6 1/2 furlongs, she returned six weeks later to tackle a powerhouse within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She might solely end fourth, however not her greatest consequence on the journey, and ran nicely regardless of her inexperience.
6. Atropa (“To Mischievous Berella” by Bernardini)
The yearling, bought for $450,000 from Shelley Devaux’s barn, has solely received as soon as in three begins, but it surely seems the very best is but to come back. After a mediocre debut efficiency within the dash at Saratoga, she bounced again in a giant means in her 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Keeneland, profitable by 10 lengths. Proving it was no fluke, she got here again with a robust rally in Goldenrod, however fell half a size in need of Bella Ballerina.
7. Outcomes (“To Mischievous Berella” by Bernardini)
The second filly on Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert’s checklist, the Juddmonte-bred produced an ideal efficiency in her two begins. She didn’t make her debut till after the Breeders’ Cup and nonetheless confirmed some immaturity in her debut, however nonetheless superior the mile and received at first asking at Del Mar. Transferring rapidly into graded races three weeks later, she completed nicely and received the Starlet Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos. Anticipate her to get even higher as she good points expertise.
8. Percy’s Bar (Upstart – Trustworthy Fats by Tremendous Saver)
Probably the most skilled horse on this checklist, this Kentucky-based mare has run 4 stakes races below coach Ben Colebrook, her first 5 on each coasts. Having received a stakes at Churchill Downs in June, she did not have a lot luck in both the Alcibiades (G1), which she received or misplaced, or the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, the place she completed third and misplaced closely. Regardless of her troubles, she displayed toughness and expertise in each areas.
9. Simply Singing (Justify-Talkin and Singing, written by Songandaprayer)
The daughter of the Triple Crown winner confirmed enchancment in every of her three begins for coach Kent Sweezy. Bought to Whisper Hill Farm as a yearling for $300,000, she was a last-to-first winner in her second profession begin. She as soon as once more confirmed a robust late kick and completed third in Goldenrod, dropping only one size. She has settled in nicely at Churchill Downs, beginning all three races.
10. Tommy Joe (To Our Naughty Mom, Pioneer of the Nile)
The one filly of the yr to win two Group 1s, the Todd Pletcher coach had spectacular ends in her first two profession begins. After a shocking victory in her debut race and the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, she got here up quick within the Alcibiades at Keeneland Race Course and received by interference. His efficiency on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies was unremarkable, ending fifth, however he was in a position to bounce again from California.
