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Kentucky Oaks Futures Index-Thursday, March 12, 2020, by Nikki Samolovitch.

This is the seventh edition of the Kentucky Oaks Futures Index found on the Daily Gallop. My opinions will be offered on which horses I think should are major competitors to hit the board on Oaks Day. 

BUY

1. Finite: (Munnings) Trained by Steve Asmussen. 1^st in the Rachel Alexandra, 1^st in the Golden Rod, 1^st in the Rags to Riches Stakes, 1^st Siverbulletday Stakes.

Finite has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to hit the wire first. She is back on the work tab and getting ready for the Fair Ground Oaks on March 21. She now has five consecutive victories the last four being Stakes wins.  This filly has now won on turf, over one turn on the dirt and over two turns on an off track. She is a special one and leading contender on the Oaks trail. The others have a lot to live up to if they plan on taking on the champ the first Friday in May.

1. Venetian Harbor: (Munnings) Trained by Richard Baltas. 1^st in the Las Virgenes.

We learned this week that her connections are taking her out of California and pointing her to Keeneland on April 4 to race in the Ashland. They originally were pointing to the G2 Santa Anita Oaks on April 4 but they opted for the higher purse money and the opportunity to score a G1 win.  It will be her final Oaks prep race. There is no telling what Venetian Harbor is capable of after her last two wins and we will see how she handles the track in Kentucky. She performed a bullet workout recently and did a half of mile in 46.20 at Santa Anita. Venetian Harbor is out of a Street Cry mare, one of my favorites, Sounds of the City. She scored a 102 Brisnet speed figure in her win landing her in prestigious company of the fastest times that week. As long as she stays healthy and sound look for this dangerous filly on Oaks Day.

1. British Idiom: (Tapit) Trained by Brad Cox. 2^nd in the Rachel Alexandra, 1^st in the BC Juvenile Fillies,1^st in the Alcibiades.

I am leaving British Idiom here due to her 2^nd place finish against a very impressive Finite in the Rachel Alexandra. I am not worried enough to put her on the sell list. I think it was a solid enough effort to expect improvement next time out. British Idiom has shipped and won on 3 different tracks in three different states. She is well traveled and proven against top competition. I am leaving her here on the list until I see her next race.  Looking forward to seeing her in the gates on Oaks Day. 

1. Donna Veloce: (Uncle Mo) Trained by Simon Callaghan. 1^st in the San Isabel, 2^nd in the Starlet Stakes, 2^nd in the BC Juvenile Fillies.

Wow! After stumbling bad out of the gate, she found herself in an uncharacteristic bad spot-last. Even with that setback she had no problem putting away a field of 9 sophomore 3yo’s. In Italian, her name means Lady Fast and she proved she was. She was the fastest filly in the field but after her bad break Flavien Prat had to resort to Plan B and have her rate behind the field. In doing so they learned she could do so and relax. It’s great that she was able to given the distance in the Oaks and being in a big field.   Simon Callaghan said for now she is on track have her final prep in the Santa Anita Oaks. Now that Bast is out of contention and Venetian Harbor is going to Keeneland there is only one impressive filly she will have to contend with and that is Baffert’s Gamine. That will be one matchup I can’t wait to see. Her win in the Santa Ysabel she adds her name to other prominent fillies who have won this race before, Midnight Bisou, Unique Bella, Songbird, and Stellar Wind. Barring any setbacks look to see this fast lady on Oaks Day. 

1. Gamine: (Into Mischief) Trained by Bob Baffert. Maiden win.

Say hello to Gamine…I know what you are wondering, “Why is there someone on your Buy column without KY Oaks points?” I have a response. Just watch her last race!! Even though she just won a maiden special weight she had quiet the coming out party. While all the buzz was around Bast this time he also had this beast waiting in the wings of his barn. She just whistled her way around the 6 ½ furlong race to score a 6 ¼ win without being asked once from her jockey Drayden Van Dyck. From what I can see she is well worth her $1.8 million price tag. It is unclear what race she will point to next my guess is that he is keeping her in California for the Santa Anita Oaks. Donna Veloce will have to be on her toes to keep up with this one. Nonetheless, she still has a lot of ground to make up to get to Oaks Day but I think the sky is the limit with her.

Sell:

1. Lake Avenue: (Tapit) Trained by Bill Mott. 2^nd in the Busher, 1^st in the Demoiselle Stakes. 

Lake Avenue couldn’t get up to win over a late kicking Water White on Saturday March 7 in the Busher on March 7 at Aqueduct. She must have disappointed her connections by blowing her shot to pick up major points. It’s not that she didn’t win the race she also failed to put up a fight after being in a sweet spot. Lake Avenue put up no resistance. Until we see more she stays here. It’s wait and see with her.

1. Water White: () Trained by Rudy Rodriguez 1^st in the Busher

Water White’s stunning victory booster her to fourth in the Oaks standings. The pace helped her win as well as the other top two horses in the race didn’t run her race. Her next race will probably be the Gazelle on April 4^th. She got lucky this race she will have to step up a lot more to compete with this crowd. 

1. Tonalist Shape (Tonalist) Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.  1^st in the Forward Gal, 1^st in the Davona Dale

It was difficult to move her to sell. My main reason for right now is that Gulfstream Park hasn’t produced top runners on Oaks Day. I agree she is very impressive with her 5 time win streak the last 3 stakes wins. She’s yet to race outside of South Florida, and the competition will just get tougher but I think still think she is the under the radar horse to keep an eye on. She has the pedigree to go the distance on Oaks and barring any setbacks look to see her on the first Friday in May!

1. Spice is Nice: (Curlin)  Trained by Todd Pletcher. 2^nd in the Davona Dale

In her first Stakes race since her impressive Maiden win she came is 2^nd to Tonalist Shape. She did prove she could keep up and compete with the undefeated filly though. I was hoping a lot more out of her considering her pedigree and last win out. I think she was one to watch on the Oaks scene and now just seems to be part of the crowd. Until her next race I will put her in the Sell column until Pletcher gives her some more works and places her in next race. 

1. Havey’s Lil Goil (American Pharoah) Trained by Bill Mott.  1^st in the Busunda

She is staying on the Sell list this edition. She will need to step up in class before the Kentucky Oaks. Once I see her face tougher competition and prove that her win on dirt wasn’t a fluke she will remain here. She’s also never raced anywhere but Aqueduct.   Mott is said to be eyeing the Gazelle next for her which on April 4^th at Aqueduct. I am looking forward to the race. Her talent is obvious.  Keep a close eye on her and excited to see her on the Oaks trail hope she keeps improving. I would love to see an American Pharoah baby on Oaks Day!