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Kentucky Oaks Futures Index-Tuesday, February 4, 2020, by Nikki Samolovitch.

This is the fifth edition of the new 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. Taraz (Into Mischief) Trained by Brad Cox. 1^st in the Martha Washington.

I am not moving her from my number 1 spot just yet. I am a huge fan and believe she is the most talented in her division. I have been closely watching this filly since she broke her maiden. Taraz has towered over her opposition since day one, winning her first career starts by a combined 18 ¾ lengths. Brad has the very talented Monomoy Girl, last year’s Oaks winner and Eclipse Award winner.  Covefe and British Idiom. Taraz is pointed to run back March 7 in the Honeybee (G3) next at Oaklawn. Her next race will have her facing Wicked Whisper in the Honeybee. Her first run in with top competition will give her the test they need to decide whether or not to compete with the boys on Derby Day or stay the course with the Oaks.

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, 1^st in the Starlet Stakes, 1^st in the Santa Ynez.

Bast has a very accomplished record so far. Until her next race and I see what British Idiom does this weekend in the Rachel Alexandra, I will keep them as is on my list. She kicked off her 3-year-old season with a win in the (G2) Santa Ynez. She out classed her 2 other stablemates to score a 108 Beyer.  Her win puts her atop the Oaks leaderboard with 34 points. With the win in the Starlet, Bast now accounts for three Grade 1 victories this season more than any on the Oaks trail. She is the only 2-year-old of either sex to have won so many prestigious races in North America in 2019. I look forward to her continued progression in 2020 and to see her in the gates the first Friday in May. 

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

The champ is back!!! Is it Saturday, February 15 yet??? She will make her sophomore debut when she races next in a field of 6. I cannot wait to see if she returns to her 2yr old form and she is taking on the very impressive Finite. Her trainer said she is coming into the race every bit as good as she did going into the Breeders Cup. British Idiom has shipped and won on 3 different tracks in three different states. This undefeated impressive filly has showed up on big race days against the best competition so far.  Looking forward to seeing her in the gates on Oaks Day. 

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

All I can say is WOW!! I watched the race and got chills holy smokes is she impressive.  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. She is an early contender for the Santa Anita Oaks and the Kentucky Oaks. If Bob Baffert decides to keep Bast in California the best of the west showdown will be one to watch. 

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

Finite will test British Idiom on Saturday, Feb 15. Her trainer has won the raceFinite continued her win streak in the Silverbulletday Stakes and gave Steve Asmussen his 1,000 win. This win earned her 10 more points putting her third in the rankings.  This filly has now won on turf, over one turn on the dirt and over two turns on an off track. Everything they have asked her for she has delivered. Look for this fighting filly to show up with her A game on Oaks Day.

Sell:

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

I had to reluctantly put her in the sell category this edition. I think Venetian Harbor’s win was way more impressive then hers. Once I see her face tougher competition and prove that her win on dirt wasn’t a fluke she will remain here.  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. Keep a close eye on her and excited to see her on the Oaks trail.

1. Lucrezia (Into Mischief) Trained by Arnaud Delacour 1^st in the Suncoast Stakes

She had distance doubt going into the race off her 1^st place win in the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa. She won impressively over the other 9 horse field and answered the two- turn question but I still question if she can keep improving. Compared to the others I don’t think she would be able to keep up. The victory ranked her 11^th in points on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. 

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

Florida has been kind to this talented filly. However, a trip to Kentucky for the Oaks will be a big ask for her. She has an undefeated record so far. Her next race will be Feb 29 in the Davona Dale Stakes on Feb. 29. She has the pedigree to go the distance on Oaks day I haven’t seen anything that has been a stand out. Until I see her tested she is in the Sell column. 

1. Ursula: (Tapit) Trained by Michael Stidham. 2^nd in the Siverbulletday Stakes.

Ursula went into the Silverbulletday with significant upside.  She was beaten last out in the Letellier — but that was behind the extremely promising Taraz. She showed in both that start and her maiden win that she has tactical speed, and she got some experience over a sloppy track in the Letellier, if it comes to that.  Ursula went two turns for the first time in the Silverbulletday Stakes and gave Finite a run for her money. I must admit I am a huge Australian racing fan so when I saw that she is out of the Anabaa mare Debonnaire I got excited. Hartnell is one of her progeny.  Hartnell is well known for his rivalry with champion horse Winx. Hartnell has won at distances as long as a mile and a half. Ursula should have no issue with distance and stamina in the Oaks. Keep an eye on this one and I am looking forward to seeing her in the gate on Oaks day

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

I had to move Lake Avenue to the sold column until I see her next race. She had her first workout since her last win. Mott said he has not picket out a race for her return yet but I am guessing the Grade 2 Davona Dale on Feb 29 at Gulfstream or the Busher on March 7 at Aqueduct would seem like logical spots. Both races are run at a one-turn mile. Lake Avenue made some noise with her win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes but until her next race she will stay here.