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Horses for the Course

posted by Justin Dew on April 29, 2008 Tags: , , ,
Julien Leparoux Guides Pure Clan (photo by: Reed Palmer/CDI)Julien Leparoux Guides Pure Clan (photo by: Reed Palmer/CDI)

Only two of the young ladies who will tackle the Kentucky Oaks on Friday have a win over the Churchill Downs dirt. And I will be using both of them in my wagers. In fact, I may use ONLY them.

Pure Clan has not one, not three, not four, but two wins here at Churchill, both at a mile or longer. She certainly hasn’t disgraced herself in two starts this year while blowing the undefeated record she made for herself last year. I think she’ll be mowing them down late under Edgar Prado, who rides her for the first time.

The other Oaks starter with a win here is A to the Croft, who won her career debut here last July. She will be a big price on Friday.

I’ll tell you one thing. Whichever filly goes to the front in the Oaks is going to have things her own way. There is not one confirmed front-runner in the bunch, so I can’t imagine the pace will be swift. Country Star and Proud Spell will be tough to beat. But if you feel like trying, give an extra look at the two girls who have already won here.

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Stacey-Jo

04/29/2008 6:08 pm

Hi Justin,

Good pick with Pure Clan. She's been one of my top three for the Oaks, and one of the main reasons is that she's already won at Churchill. I'm not so sure about A to the Croft, though. I was planning on taking Eight Belles, Pure Clan and Bsharpsonata as my tri, but since Eight Belles is most likely going to the Derby, then I'm probably going to replace her with Golden Doc A. What are your thoughts on them?

derbyme

04/30/2008 12:16 am

Is Little Belle a speed horse now? She's taking money in the future books. Hard to imagine Bsharp not being there with the slow pace, and Proud Spell has been tactical. Country Star's a huge mystery. I've got Pure Clan at 20-1 and she's still my play, though the pace scenario hurts. She's allowing some very good fillies get the jump on her... Same with GDA. This one looks wide wide open.

patbateman

04/30/2008 10:01 pm

I like bsharpsonata a little and Pure Clan a little. What do you think of Elusive Lady? That acqueduct track was really tiring on April 12, and she could improve I think at bomber odds.

TheCapper

05/01/2008 3:11 am

I haven't noticed many people discussing weather as a factor for the Oaks/Derby. It seems as though there is a good chance of rain on Friday and Saturday in Louisville. If Eight Belles does scratch as expected, Pure Clan is our next choice.
HOWEVER, if the track does end up wet, Bsharpsonata could be the one to beat.

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