Kentucky Oaks Futures Index-Thursday, September 3, 2020 by Nikki Samolovitch.
This is the Final Edition of the Kentucky Oaks Futures Index found on the Daily Gallop. The post positions are drawn
and the field is set for the 2020 KY Oaks. The past few (crazy) months I have offered my opinion on which horses I
think are major competitors to hit the board on Oaks Day. I will break down all the competitors I feel will hit the
board in order of finish on the first Friday in September.
GAMINE is my top pick to win the Oaks this year. I believe this filly is one of those generationally talented horses and we are about to find out how good she is. The Oaks will be her toughest test to date and one she will conquer and add to her impressive resume. Although, her three “official” wins were at a distance less than a mile I am not worried about her pedigree getting the distance in the Oaks. Speech: (Freud) The problem with Gamine and Swiss Sky Diver is that they both share the same running style they both like being on the front end. They are both so talented that it is possible they can survive an intense pace battle and continue running 1-2 until the finish. What if one tires or even what if they both crack? This is where Speech comes into play. This could set up perfectly for her closing style and pick up the pieces at the end. Even though Donna Veloce beat her this year she has steadily improved and gets a dream trip behind the heavy hitters, Gamine and Swiss Sky Diver Swiss Sky Diver: (Daredevil) I have so much respect for everything she has accomplished this past year leading up to this point. Swiss Sky Diver has taken on the near impossible. She has logged thousands of miles traveling and running in 8 different tracks around the country and he has done it with incredible ease. She did win the Alabama effortlessly, but I worry if this is a lot to ask of this three- year old filly. Shedaresthedevil: (Daredevil) she has been my favorite
horse to follow this year. I remember hearing about the day her connections purchased her and from Day 1 they knew how special she was. She is coming into the Oaks riding a wave of confidence after her last 2 back to back open length wins. She used a pace pressing trip to score her impressive Indiana Oaks win. She is also 2 for 2 at Churchill Downs. Dream Marie (Graydar) This is a stunningly beautiful filly that has peaked my interest. She had 3 victories at the end of her 2yr old career but is winless in her last 6 starts. She is owned by Miracle’s International Trading and would need a dream trip to hit the board but miracles do happen and what better day to have that happen then on Oaks Day. A fun fact about her is she does have luck on her side being in the same stall as the 2016 Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia and 2018 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Jaywalk. Donna Veloce: (Uncle Mo) I worry about the 4- month layoff but she has been terrific in every race. Her 2020 comeback win looks a whole lot better in retospect after Speech finished a neck behind Gamine in the Ashland. She has never finished worse than second and shouldn’t be overlooked. Tempers Rising (Bayern) will be sent out by Dallas Stewart. In 2006 Stewart won on Oaks Day with the longshot Lemons Forever. She fits the off the pace profile that he has had success with on big race days. If you are looking to spice up the exotics Tempers Rising offers intrigue. Hopeful Growth: (Tapiture) Coming into the Oaks she is 5:3-1-0 ($183,000) Her win in the Monmouth Oaks was impressive. She is a talented
contender but would need immense improvement to be competitive here. Bayerness (Bayern) was unbeaten in her first 2 starts as a 2 yr old but has not improved in her last two races as a 3yr old. She is another that would
need a giant improvement to be competitive in the group.