Oaks Blogs

To me, there’s no question that Rags to Riches is the most talented filly in the Oaks field and the most likely to win. Her final betting odds will be closer to even-money than her 5-2 morning line. While she’s tough to leave off any tickets, she’s worth taking a shot against on Friday. She’s inexperienced and a wide and/or rough trip could get her beaten. Here are my picks in this great betting race:

1 – Cotton Blossom – Seems to be the forgotten Pletcher filly, but she’s set for a big effort in her third start of the year. I thought she ran better than Octave when finishing third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill because of an extremely wide trip. I like her pedigree to get the nine furlongs, and she’s drawn well in post five under Prado. I’ll take her at 8-1 on the morning line. I think she’ll be 10-1 or more on Friday.

2 – Rags to Riches – Strictly the filly to beat. Comes in well rested after a monster performance in the Santa Anita Oaks. Hard to see her running a bad one, but things happen in racing and maybe she doesn’t quite get there.

3 – Cash Included – Has been hanging around and getting minor pieces in tough races all year. She’ll add blinkers for Craig Dollase. Improved focus and a ground-saving trip could equal her hitting the board at long odds.

4- Autobahn Girl – Her final two preps were at Tampa Bay Downs, and maybe that’s not her favorite surface. This is an A.P. Indy filly who will relish the added distance and has already shown she likes Churchill.