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Kentucky Oaks Futures Index-Wednesday, March 3, 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. Last edition we lost Taraz and now we got news that Bast has been retired and off the Oaks trail. Luckily her injury was not life threatening. 

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 is now the undisputed #1 with the loss of Taraz and Bast. 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.

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

There is no telling what Venetian Harbor is capable of after her last two wins. She performed a bullet workout recently and did a half of mile in 46.20 at Santa Anita.  Baltas said he is bypassing the Santa Ysabel and pointing her to Santa Anita Oaks instead. She dominated the field by winning by 9 ½ length victory in the Las Virgenes this is just off her 10 ¾ maiden win last out. 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.

She suffered her first defeat of her career when she returned to the races finishing 2^nd behind 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.  Looking forward to seeing her in the gates on Oaks Day. 

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

She’s baaack! Donna Veloce will race on Sunday in the San Ysabel Stakes giving out 50 points to the winner. She has posted 5 workouts since her 2^nd  to Bast in December after seeing her recent work outs I have no doubt she will come back to her winning ways. Now that Bast is out of contention she will have to contend with the ultra-impressive Venetian Harbor. That will be one matchup I can’t wait to see.  With continued improvement look to see Donna Veloce on Oaks Day.

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

She knows how to win and fought off a very talented Spice is Nice to secure her spot on Oaks day and continue 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 after this impressive win 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!

Sell:

1. Down On Da Bayou (Super Saver) Trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer. 1^st in the UAE Oaks

She had an amazing performance in the UAE Oaks powering home to win by 19 lengths. Her connections shipped her to race in the Saudi Derby where she faded from contentions by finishing 8^th . She has secured her spot on Oaks Day if connections decide to ship her but horses shipping from Dubai haven’t showed up on Oaks or Derby Day.

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!

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

Lake Avenue will return to the Oaks trail on Saturday March 7 in the Busher on March 7 at Aqueduct. I think the connections made the right decision placing her here instead of Tonalist Shape on her home turf at Gulfstream Park. I am excited to see how well she does in the race. There will be 85 qualifying points up for grabs if she wins. This edition she will stay in the sell column but I have a feeling a win in the Busher will move her up on everyone’s list. 

1. Maedean: (Tapit) Trained by Mark Hennig. 2^nd in the Demoiselle Stakes.

She is another New Yorker, she was beaten by Lake Avenue in the Demoiselle. She doesn’t have as much brilliance as most on the list, but she has the pedigree to get better with age. She has had recent works in Florida and is ready to roll for her next race. Sell until next race but keep an eye on her.