The Jockey Club Oaks Invitational
#1 – Edisa – Prat/ Royer-Dupre
- Edisa is one of many overseas shippers entering this race. As the morning line favorite she most likely will be bet. I wish Soumillon would’ve shipped in to so she had her usual rider, but Prat will do. Her timeform ratings have increased in each start and she just ran 2nd in a Group 2 and Group 3. I think she will be mid pack today and with Prat can pounce on the leaders.
#2- Romantic Pursuit- Saez/ McLaughlin
- One of the American runners in this field is Romantic Pursuit. She broke her maiden at Belmont. However, she is outclassed in this field. She did just win an OC25K at Saratoga going the same distance. I just think the need to step up immensely in class is going to be the problem here.
#3 – Lady Prancealot(IRE)- Talamo/ Batlas
- Lady Prancealot might be the classiest in the field, and she might be the best closer. The added distance could help her or could be her downfall. She is great at 2 eighths shorter, but will be going this long for the first time. Talamo ships in which boosts come confidence for me.
#4- Desert Ride- Velazquez/ Howard
- This Woodbine shipper is coming out of restricted stakes. She is very consistent and the distance shouldn’t be a problem. I think the step up from restricted races to open Graded Stakes company, is going to be the problem.
#5- Love So Deep (JPN)- Spencer/ Chapple- Hyam
- This filly loves distance. She just missed at over a mile and a half, and gets a little less distance today. She seems to hang a little, but can run her best when going long.
#6- Wonderment(IRE)- Pasquier/ Clement
- Wonderment, has yet to show up as a 3yo. Her performances haven’t amounted to anything as similar to when she was a 2yo. I think she is a false favorite but Pasquier is coming to ride her for a reason.
#7- Dyna Passer- Lezcano/ Albertrani
- This is the most sneaky filly in the field. She closed well last time out but couldn’t catch the #2 Romantic Pursuit. She has however ran against Grade 1 company and held her own for 5th. I think she can surprise a few here and run her best race. I would consider her a wildcard here and a must use underneath.
#8 Art of Almost- Castellano/ Attfield
- This is the other Woodbine shipper, looks way better than the 1st one. Castellano hops aboard and this filly is a closer with impressive beyers. She just ran two consecutive 3rds in a Grade 2 and Grade 3. The addition of Hall of Famer Castellano is always a plus.
While this field is wide open and filled with shippers from overseas and Canada, I think the shippers are not that scary. I think Art of Almost is a contender from Woodbine, but I also like Lady Prancealot from California. I have no clue who will go to the lead as no real pace is signed up. Love So Deep is also scary at the distance. Dyna Passer is the wildcard at a price. Wide open field can only mean take a shot on who you like. Good Luck.