Oaks Blogs

So no, not yet. We’re not going to rename this site the Rags to Riches HomePage. It just seems that way.

When last seen, the slick chestnut daughter of super sire A.P. Indy was scampering home more than five lengths in front in the Santa Anita Oaks March 11. It was her third win at the Arcadia oval in her third start there. Keep that thought for a moment.

The speculation here was that – knowing she needs another race prior to the Ky Oaks – Ky Derby weekend in Louisville – and knowing her connections like her to train on an engineered surface – they might think about actually running her on the engineered Polytrack at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes, thus giving them a true yardstick to work with amidst all the speculation that maybe she is good enough to try the boys instead of the girls come early May.

But life – that old joker – has introduced a new element in the game in the form of a leg injury to her stablemate Ravel, who had hoped to make the Kentucky Derby via the Santa Anita Derby, where he no doubt would have been the favorite. Ravel and “Rags” not only train out of the same barn, they’re owned by the same people -- and you have to know the wheels are turning in that camp.

So let’s see, the guys might be saying as they scratch their chins and sip their brandy, we need another race for the filly prior to her Louisville launch. Check. Some folks think she’s good enough to beat colts and the only way we’re going to know that for sure is to run her against them. Check. Rather than throw her in the furnace that first Saturday in May prior to being sure she’s wearing her asbestos saddle cloth, how’s about if we find a spot that suits her better first, say a male Derby prep that isn’t coming up too, too strong. Check. And maybe we could run her at a track that she likes. Check. And then be able to continue to train her across town on Hollywood’s engineered surface. Check.

So allow me to amend the Blue Grass thought to one that says S.A. Derby for our girl “Rags.” You can surely make a case for it. Yes, you surely can.