Oaks Blogs

A hearty welcome to you residents of the Blogoshere who have decided to join in a discussion and appreciation of the Kentucky Oaks, a race that I believe has clearly become the top prize for 3-year-old fillies in American racing.

I do work at Churchill Downs and love the Derby and Oaks, so I'll admit to some bias.  But I've talked to enough owners, trainers and jockeys over the more than 20 years in which I've been involved with the two great races as both a journalist and publicist to recognize that the prestige and allure of the Oaks has soared and continues to climb.

The 1 1/8-mile Oaks has always attracted some strong performers, but the rosters of Oaks contenders over the past 30 years or so has become an annual "Who's Who" of the 3-year-old filly ranks.  The last decade has seen Eclipse Award champions Silverbulletday, Farda Amiga and Ashado win the race and another champion, Banshee Breeze, finish as a runner-up.  Dazzling runners such as Madcap Escapade, Take Charge Lady, Island Sand, and Storm Song have competed, but come up short. 

Last year's running, won by longshot Lemons Forever, is a prime example of the quality fillies that are now pointed toward the Oaks.  Runner-up Ermine would win the Grade II Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs later in the year; third-place finisher Bushfire would finish the season with three Grade I victories; and fourth-place finisher Wait A While would emerge as a power on the grass and earned the Eclipse Award as America's top 3-year-old filly.  Grade I winners Wonder Lady Anne L, Balance and Diplomat Lady would finish up the track.

 The task at hand is to discuss developments on the Midwest route to the Oaks, a road that travels through Illinois and Kentucky.  It's not a bad spot from which to view the overall Oaks scene, as last year's winner flashed promise for trainer and co-owner Dallas Stewart with a late-charging third-place finish in Turfway Park's Bourbonette Breeders' Cup.  Ermine trained in Kentucky for Ronny Werner, and Kentucky-based Eddie Kenneally prepped over Polytrack at Keeneland and won the prestigious Grade I Ashland with Bushfire on her way back to Louisville.

The early drama in the Oaks 2007 scene is the question of whether champion Dreaming of Anna, who sealed the deal for her Eclipse Award with a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs, will run against fillies in the Oaks or males in the Derby on the first weekend of May.  But, wherever the champ ends up, be assured the most of the most talented and promising members of her generation will be lining up in the starting gate under the Twin Spires on the afternoon of Friday, May 4.

That is assured because the Oaks is not just a top race for members of that gender and generation.  It's because it is THE biggest and most desired prize and is closer to fitting the long-used description of the "Derby for Fillies" than it has been at any time in its 133-year history. 

It should be an enjoyable run up to Oaks 133.   It's great to have you along and I look forward to our Oaks discussions in the Blogosphere in the coming weeks.