Kentucky Oaks Preview

The only Kentucky Oaks Futures Pool runs Friday, March 2nd through Sunday, March 4th. Here's some early thoughts from the HRN staff in order to help you with your future wagers this weekend.

Here's a complete list of horses with odds:

1. Amie's Dini 30-1

2. And Why Not 50-1

3. Avie's Sense 20-1

4. Believe You Can 30-1

5. Captivating Lass 15-1

6. Charm the Maker 20-1

7. Disposablepleasure 20-1

8. Dixie Strike 20-1

9. Eden's Moon 15-1

10. Grace Hall 10-1

11. In Lingerie 30-1

12. Inny Minnie 30-1

13. Karlovy Vary 30-1

14. Killer Graces 20-1

15. Mamma Kimbo 20-1

16. Off Limits 30-1

17. On Fire Baby 15-1

18. Princess Arabella 15-1

19. Reneesgotzip 15-1

20. Summer Applause 12-1

21. Sweet Seventeen 30-1

22. Yara 20-1

23. Zo Impressive 30-1

24. "All Others 3YO Fillies" 3-1 

As if trainer Bob Baffert didn't have enough contenders for the Kentucky Derby, he has the consensus leader, Princess Arabella, for the Oaks as well. Though only ranked #22 among the HRN top Kentucky Oaks contenders, Princess Arabella has been most impressive in winning both lifetime starts. She faces her toughest task to date when she tries routing and stakes company for the first time in this Saturday's Grade 1 Las Virgenes at Santa Anita Park. 

Though Grace Hall didn't win last Saturday's Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, it was a nice building block to help her peak on the first Friday in May.

Florida Filly's top pick, Stephanie's Kitten, has never won on dirt, but has shown the ability to easily handle route distances while capturing Keeneland's Alcibiades Stakes and the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. If this angle sounds familiar, it should considering Animal Kingdom had a similar profile in winning last year's Derby. He was also part of the mutual field in pools 1 & 2 of last year's Derby future wager.

Also part of the mutual field, Broadway's Alibi, tops Brian Appleton's list after her victory in Gulfstream Park's Forward Gal Stakes. Yet to try a route of ground, Broadway's Alibi suggests it shouldn't be a problem being sired by Vindication, and out of the Seeking the Gold mare, Broadway Gold.

Sister Moon is yet another field horse with upside. Trained by John Sadler, she is out of Dixie Union, sire of Derby "now" horse Union Rags, and hails from the same owners that brought us Zenyatta and Giacomo.

And Why Not, bunks with Union Rags on Michael Matz's shed row, has been working steadily and appears on target to make her 2012 debut soon.

Though racing is filled with stories that tug a one's heartstrings, a victory by Charm the Maker would thrust 79-year-old, hall of fame trainer, Ron McAnally back into national spotlight once again, where he belongs. In fact, he and wife Deborah, bred and own the Empire Maker filly as well.

2011 2-year-old filly champion, My Miss Aurelia, barely makes a dent in the pollsters' opinions due the fact that she has not had a published workout in 2012, and doesn't even make the top 23 wagering interests. Just making it to the Kentucky Oaks would be a stretch at this point.

Other contenders include On Fire Baby (multiple graded stakes winner at Churchill Downs and 3rd against males in Oaklawn Park's Smarty Jones Stakes, Summer Applause (Rachel Alexandra Stakes winner at Fair Grounds), Sweet Seventeen (Busher Stakes winner at Aqueduct) and flashy maiden winner for Bob Baffert, Eden's Moon.

Regardless of who you fancy, make sure to shop for value. If the price isn't right, just wait until the day of the race. If your horse is lucky enough to make it to the starting gate, the price should be juicy enough.

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