- Oaks Day First Race Post Time: 11:00 a.m. ET, Gates Open at 8:00 a.m.
- Visit The Oaks' Companion Website at www.kentuckyderby.com
- Oaks Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds
- Kentucky Oaks Post Time: May 4, 5:45 p.m. ET Race 10
Thursday, March 01, 2007
In a change of tactics, Olivine, sent off at nearly 11-1 went gate-to-wire to upset the field in the Busher Stakes at Aqueduct last Sunday.
Olivine was the only filly in the field of six nominated to the Kentucky Oaks. If you played that angle, you were rewarded with a nice $23.60 mutuel.
Olivine had rallied from off the pace in her stylish maiden win. There appeared to be plenty of early speedsters in the Busher, including favored Margies Smile and Sagamoon. But Olivine broke sharply and jockey C.C. Lopez, known for his prowess on frontrunners, took advantage of the Inner Track speed bias and let her cruise up to set the pace. She dashed away in the stretch to a five-length win.
"I didn't think she could be on the lead," trainer David Donk told the NYRA press staff after the race. "I'm still not sure what everyone else was doing."
Donk mentioned the Bourbonette Breeders' Cup Stakes (GIII) at one mile at Turfway Park’s Polytrack on March 24 as a possible next start for Olivine. She has as plenty of turf pedigree (by Royal Academy) and should handle the surface well. A win or excellent performance in that race against tougher competition could stamp her as a solid Oaks contender. For now, she still seems like a longshot to run in the Oaks.
Dan Shapiro, 27, has worked in the racing industry since 1999 when he completed internships at Churchill Downs and Suffolk Downs while pursuing a journalism degree at Boston University.
Dan Shapiro, 27, has worked in the racing industry since 1999 when he completed internships at Churchill Downs and Suffolk Downs while pursuing a journalism degree at Boston University.
David Gutfreund has been working and living in England for the last year working on a TV network called Racing World, which brings American horse racing into the living rooms of U.K. punters showing the best of sport in the U.S.
John Asher, vice-president of Communications at Churchill Downs, has worked in the Thoroughbred racing industry as a journalist and a publicist for more than 20 years.
Justin Dew has been handicapping horses and following the Kentucky Derby trail for 15 years. His Derby Day triumphs include a current streak of three consecutive Derby exactas, including the Giacomo-Closing Argument combination that returned over $9,800 in 2005. His top selection for the 2006 Derby, Bluegrass Cat, ran 2nd but keyed an exacta with Barbaro that returned over $500.
Toby Callet has been a professional handicapper for more than 30 years. His web site, tobycallet.com, features key plays at tracks in Florida, Kentucky, California and Louisiana.
Former director of publicity, santa anita park…former director of marketing and media, del mar thoroughbred club. currently, senior media coordinator, del mar
Currently Director of Media for Del Mar Thoroughbred Club at Del Mar racetrack in California. Has worked at Del Mar in media since 1981. Been in racing industry since 1971, primarily as a writer, editor and publicist.
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