Oaks Updates

EAST/LEADING LADIES TANGLE IN SUNDAY'S BONNIE MISS - Gulfstream Park's Sunday race card boasts two key stepping stones on the path to the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) as talented and competitive fields were drawn for the $150,000 Bonnie Miss (GII) and the $150,000 Forward Gal (GII).

The Bonnie Miss, run at the Kentucky Oaks distance of 1 1/8-miles, shapes up as a showdown between Stevestan's Stables' Golden Rod (GII) winner French Park and Arindel Farm's Wait a While, an eye-popping 14-length winner in the $150,000 Davona Dale (GII) at Gulfstream on Feb 4.

French Park's seasonal bow in the $250,000 Silverbulletday (GII) at Louisiana Downs resulted in her first career defeat as the daughter of Ecton Park lost by a head to Baghdaria. Regular jockey Mark Guidry will ride the Helen Pitts-trained filly.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Wait a While's smashing Davona Dale romp stamped her as a leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks. Davona Dale also-rans who will return for another shot at Wait A While on Sunday include Teammate, Wonder Lady Anne L, and Mia's Reflection. Tempted (GIII) winner Better Now and Smart N Pretty complete the field of seven.

Original Spin Faces Tough Test in 2006 Opener - Russell Reineman Stable Inc.'s Original Spin, winner of the Arlington-Washington Lassie (GIII) at Arlington Park, makes her anticipated 2006 debut in Sunday's seven-furlong Forward Gal, but she has picked a strong spot for her return to racing.

Third to eventual 2-year-old filly champ Folklore and Grade I winner Wild Fit in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI), Original Spin turns back to a sprint distance for the first time since the Tony Mitchell-trained daughter of Distorted Humor scored her debut win at Arlington.

Sonia Chapman and Stuart Tsujimoto's Misty Rosette could pose the greatest threat to a successful comeback by Original Spin. Trainer James Chapman's filly comes into the race off a scorching score in the $100,000 Old Hat (GIII) in which she stopped the clock at 1:16 for 6½ furlongs over a "sloppy" track.

Other notables in the field are Lyon Stables' highly regarded recent allowance winner India, Puglisi Stable's Valley Stream (GIII) winner Miraculous Miss, and Donald Dizney's Sunshine Millions Oaks winner Joint Effort.

KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURES BETTING CONTINUES - Balance and Wild Fit, the 1-2 finishers in Santa Anita's Las Virgenes (GI), remained the top two choices early Friday evening as betting continued in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

The David Hofmans-trained Balance was the 5-1 favorite and Wild Fit the 7-1 second choice early Friday evening as wagering continued at betting outlets throughout North America.

Old Hat winner Misty Rosette continued to draw strong support at 8-1, while odds on reigning juvenile filly champion Folklore had dropped at 9-1.

Betting in the second Kentucky Oaks Future Wager continues through 6:30 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, March 5. The third and final Oaks Future Pool is scheduled for April 6-9.

« Back To Oaks Updates