Expert picks: How to bet Santa Anita's American Oaks 2017
The final Grade 1 race of 2017 runs Saturday when Santa Anita Park hosts the $300,000 American Oaks, a 1 1/4-mile test on the turf for 3-year-old fillies.
Chad Brown trains two of the top three choices in Rymska, a recent stakes winner at Aqueduct, and 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner New Money Honey. Daddys Lil Darling, who was second in the Kentucky Oaks and has won a stakes on the turf, also ships out West.
Beau Recall and Madam Dancealot head the local runners in a field of 10, with post time set for approximately 6:30 p.m. ET. We've prepared full-field American Oaks odds and analysis, with our expert picks below.
UPDATE: Picks listed were submitted Friday, before morning line favorite Rymska scratched.
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #1 Madam Dancealot
On the board: #4 Daddys Lil Darling, #8 Rymska
Longshot I like: #6 Beau Recall
Analysis: Both Madam Dancelot and Daddys Lil Darling are in top form. Their class and late speed are two factors which often prevail on the grass. I’ll side with the former who should go off at higher odds. Rymska steps up here but is perfect in 2017 and has won 5 of 8 overall. Beau Recall is just 1 for 7 this season, but two races back in the Grade Del Mar Oaks she lost a nose decision.
Candice Curtis (@skipaway2000)
Winner: #10 Coachwhip
On the board: #4 Daddys Lil Darling, #6 Beau Recall, #9 New Money Honey
Longshot I like: #10 Coachwhip
Analysis: Coachwhip is trying stakes company for the second time for new trainer Richard Mandella and has Flavien Prat in the irons, always a strong combo. Coachwhip is lightly raced, with only three prior starts, compared to the other fillies in here and this freshness should be to her advantage. Daddys Lil Darling will relish the distance and Beau Recall is never off the board in California.
Mary Dixon Reynolds, The Gallop Out (@nchorseplayer)
Winner: #8 Rymska
On the board: #9 New Money Honey, #4 Daddys Lil Darling
Long shot I like: #5 Pantsonfire
Anaylsis: I'm going with a Chad Brown exacta. These fillies are the class of the field along with Daddy's Lil Darling, being ridden by Mike Smith.
Jarrod Horak, winninghorsepicks.com
Winner: #4 Daddys Lil Darling
On the board: #9 New Money Honey, #8 Rymska
Longshot I Like: #7 Desert Duchess
Analysis: Daddys Lil Darling has performed well since switching back to turf, and she did not get much pace help in her last pair. Smith hops aboard for McPeek, and she looked good winning a slightly longer race than this at Kentucky Downs Sept 10.
The Plays: #4 to win, Exacta 4/7-8-9, Exacta 7-8-9/4, Trifecta 4/ALL/7-8-9
Casey Laughter, The Tattooed Tracksider (@WritingCasey)
Winner: #4 Daddys Lil Darling
On the Board: #9 New Money Honey, #8 Rymska
Longshot: #7 Desert Duchess
Analysis: On paper, Daddys Lil Darling is the fastest horse, but she has no early speed. The race has a full field of later runners, and Desert Duchess is the only one who appears to want the lead. She has a chance to step up and go gate to wire.
Averie Levanti, 31 Lengths
Winner: #4 Daddys Lil Darling
On the board: #8 Rymska, #6 Beau Recall
Longshot I like: #1 Madam Dancealot
Analysis: Always right there at the finish, Daddys Lil Darling is due for a big win. She has proven to excel at longer distances, and the 10 furlongs should be right up her alley.
The Play: $1 trifecta 4,8/4,6,8/1,4,6,8