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Kentucky Oaks Futures Index-Tuesday, December 3, 2019, by Nikki Samolovitch.

This is the second edition of the new Kentucky Oaks Futures Index found on the Daily Gallop. Unlike the other Top 10 Contender lists this one aims to be a ranking of these aspiring 3 yr old as if they are commodities on the market. My opinions will be offered on which horses I think should are major competitors to hit the board on Oaks Day.

BUY

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

It should be no surprise to see British Idiom remaining in the top spot. This undefeated impressive filly has showed up on big race days against the best competition so far.  She is likely our 2yo Eclipse Award Winner for 2019. British Idiom is from the very driven barn of Brad Cox. British Idiom and Monomoy Girl, were picked out for purchase by blood-stock agent Liz Crow. I am looking forward to which race Brad and connections point her to in 2020. Barring any setbacks in 2020 I anticipate seeing her in the gates on Oaks Day.

1. Donna Veloce: (Uncle Mo) Trained by Simon Callaghan. 2^nd in the BC Juvenile Fillies

I am leaving the very talented Donna Veloce, runner up to British Idiom in the Breeders Cup, in the top 2 until I see another horse show as much heart and talent she has showed so far. She showed incredible courage, down the rail, against a much more seasoned British Idiom after only one maiden breaking win at Santa Anita. One to watch on the Kentucky Oaks trail.

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

She has been undefeated since breaking her maiden and continued the streak on Saturday in the Golden Rod. This filly has now won on turf, over one turn on the dirt and over two turns on an off track. The Golden Rod Victory earned her 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The Golden Rod has a strong recent history. Monomoy Girl ran second in 2017 before going on to win the 2019 Oaks, while Liora topped the Golden Rod before finishing as the runner-up in the 2019 Oaks. Look for her in the gate on Oaks Day.

1. Perfect Alibi: (Sky Mesa) Trained by Mark Casse. 4^th in the BC Juvenile Fillies,2^nd in the Alcibiades Stakes, 1^st in the Spinaway Stakes, 1^st in the Adirondack Stakes, 2^nd in the Astoria Stakes.

I am keeping an underdog in my top 5 for the Oaks. Perfect Alibi is the one to keep an eye on. In 2020, her connections are going to aim her to the Oaks via Fair Grounds. She has done everything and more to show up on big race days and will continue to do so under Casse. He knows a thing or two about getting a filly ready for Oaks Day, Wonder Gadot, who finished 2^nd to Monomy Girl. With no issues look to see her in the gates on Oaks Day.

1. Frank’s Rockette: (Into Mischief) Trained by Bill Mott 2^nd in the Frizette Stakes, 2^nd in the Spinaway Stakes

This talented filly out of Into Mischief didn’t make it into the gate on Breeders Cup day but that is no reason to discount any chances she has progressing for Oaks day in 2020. Her and Perfect Alibi dueled in the Spinaway but she showed all heart and with some time off to refresh and additional training by the great Mott we should see her again hitting the board in 2020.

Sell: 

1. Bast: (Uncle Mo) Trained by Bob Baffert 1^st in the Chandelier Stakes, 1^st in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes and 3^rd in the BC Juvenile Fillies.

I decided to demote Bast to the Sell category until I see her next workout and races in 2020. Bast had an honest run in the BC Juv. She was in the middle of a 3-horse duel and kept coming at the end and wouldn’t tire for 4^th “She did not want to quit,” Baffert said. “She went five lengths too fast early. Otherwise I really think she would have been right there. She showed a lot of guts. She gutted it out to hang on in there. I think Bob will have her ready to dominate the Oaks prep races but until I see more from her she will be in the Sell category.

1. Wicked Whisper: (Liam’s Map) Trained by Steve Asmussen 5^th in the BC Juvenile Fillies, 1^st in the Frizette Stakes.

She is the classiest filly to come out of the NY Circuit. Winning impressively in Saratoga and Belmont. She finished 5^th  in the Breeders Cup. I was hoping to see more out of this filly. We saw Jaywalk win the Frizette and then go on to win the BC Juv Fillies but unable to overcome her 2yo old debut to progress as a 3 year old and I am thinking this is where this filly is going as well.

1. Comical: (Into Mischief) Trained by Doug O’Neill. 7^th in the BC Juvenile Fillies, 2^nd in the Chandelier Stakes, 3^rd in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes

She gave Bast a run for her money in the Chandelier Stakes. That race clearly wasn’t the best for Bast and Bob didn’t have her fully cranked up. She was unable to repeat her performance on her home track by finishing 7^th in a 9 horse field. She was unable to repeat her performance in the Breeders Cup Juv race finishing 7^th. I don’t see her having a repeat or coming close to beating any of these other talented fillies

1. Two Sixty(Uncaptured) Trained by Mark Casse. 9^th in the BC Juvenile Fillies, 1^st in FTBOA Stakes

Bast pressured Two Sixty into submission and she finished last in the Breeders Cup Juv. She is a Florida-bred who has raced exclusively at Gulfstream Park and faced state-bred stakes company in her past three outings. I think shipping her back down south she will be able to compete but not to the level or class as to what it will take to earn her place in the Oaks.

1. Lazy Daisy (Paynter) Trained by Doug O’Neil. 6^th in the BC Juvenile Fillies, 1^st in the Pocahontas Stakes

She had an impressive win the Pocahontas at Churchill Down. After her 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes in California. I don’t believe the Pocahontas had many other talented fillies that she beat. It is awesome rags to riches story with owners able to buy a $115 micro share into her ownership. She was unable to compete with the top 5 in the Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita 

1. KP Dreamin. (Union Rags) Trained by Ruben Fuentes. 8^th in the BC Juvenile  Fillies, 3^rd in the Chandelier Stakes. 

The Florida bred trained filly trained by Rueben Fuentes has only placed once in the top 3 since breaking her maiden. She finished 3^rd in the Chandelier She finished last in a 8^th in the Breeders’ Cup Juv. She has shown nothing in her training or races to show that she will be able to compete at the level as the others prepping for the Oaks.