2022 Kentucky Oaks Cheat Sheet: Get to Know the Horses

Racing
Nest, Echo Zulu, and Kathleen O. (left to right) headline a fantastic lineup competing in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The $1.25 million Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks is the marquee race for 3-year-old fillies in the country. Top fillies flock to Churchill Downs on the day before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve each year to take their shot in the “run for the lilies,” with over 100,000 fans in attendance rooting them on.

Just like the Derby, the Kentucky Oaks has been held annually since 1875. It was contested as a Grade 1 race for the first time in 1978, and in the ensuing decades the 1 1/8-mile race has taken a very prominent place in the racing landscape. Notable fillies to have won the Oaks in the past half-century include Davona Dale, Bold ‘n Determined, Princess Rooney, Open Mind, Silverbulletday, Ashado, Rags to Riches, Rachel Alexandra, Blind Luck, Untapable, and Monomoy Girl.

This year’s 148th Kentucky Oaks on May 6 is considered by many to be one of the best renewals in the race’s history. It’s been a bumper crop of 3-year-old fillies, with horses like Secret Oath, Echo Zulu, Nest, and Kathleen O., among others, looking like potential superstars. We’ll see which filly will confirm her status as the head of her class on Friday.

The Oaks will be televised by NBC Sports on the USA Network, as part of a broadcast spanning from 1 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET. Post time is set for 5:51 p.m. ET.

Let’s meet the field for this year’s Longines Kentucky Oaks:


Eclipse Sportswire

1. Secret Oath (6-1 morning-line odds)

Jockey: Luis Saez

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Owner: Briland Farm

Career record: 7 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $590,167

Earnings per start: $84,310

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Kentucky Oaks points: 80

Pedigree: Arrogate – Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: From late February to early April, Secret Oath was everyone’s darling on the Oaks trail. She had an extremely impressive start to the Oaklawn Park season, winning three races there by a combined 23 lengths. In her final win of that streak, she won the Feb. 26 Honeybee Stakes by 7 ½ lengths and ran a higher mark on every speed figure scale than Un Ojo did in winning the Rebel Stakes later that day. Off those impressive victories, and with a spot in the Oaks already locked up, Secret Oath was entered against the boys in the April 2 Arkansas Derby in a bid to qualify for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. A top-two finish would’ve been good enough to qualify for the Derby, and bettors thought she was more than capable, sending her off as the 7-5 favorite. After settling back early on, she made a strong move on the final turn but flattened out and ended up third. In the last few jumps, Barber Road rallied on the inside of Secret Oath, denying the filly second and a spot in the Derby starting gate. Her performance was no disgrace, though, as she ran a Brisnet figure just two points lower than the one earned by Yuugiri in the Fantasy Stakes earlier on the card. If Secret Oath had run in and won the Fantasy, she’d likely be an overwhelming Oaks favorite. As such, if you liked Secret Oath to win the Kentucky Oaks before the Arkansas Derby, you almost have to bet her here, considering she may go off at an inflated price. Her legendary trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, has won the Oaks four times: with Blush With Pride in 1982; Lucky Lucky Lucky in 1984; Open Mind in 1989; and Seaside Attraction in 1990. With one more win, Lukas will equal Woody Stephens’ record for most Oaks victories. This will be “The Coach’s” first trip to the Oaks since 2012.


Susie Raisher/NYRA

2. Nostalgic (15-1)

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owner: Godolphin

Career Record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $235,400

Earnings per start: $47,080

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 90

Kentucky Oaks points: 101

Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – Been Here Before, by Tapit

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker/closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Nostalgic is a prime example of a filly getting good at the right time. She didn’t show much in her first three starts. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro won a maiden special weight race on debut last October at Belmont Park in a mediocre time and then was well-beaten in her next two starts, both in graded stakes. The second of those came in a turf race when she finished ninth, and after that, Nostalgic dropped to allowance optional claiming company at Gulfstream Park on March 6 and woke up in a big way, drawing off to win by 6 ¼ lengths. That victory inspired her connections to take a shot in the Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct on April 9, where she went off as the 4.30-1 third betting choice. She saved all the ground she could under Jose Ortiz and came up the inside late to win the Gazelle by 1 ¼ lengths. While it’s true that Nostalgic got a great trip that is unlikely to be duplicated, it’s also true that her two best races by far were her last two starts. It wouldn’t be surprising if she took another step forward in Friday’s Oaks, and that might be good enough to win. Although Godolphin is an international racing and breeding powerhouse, and Bill Mott is a Hall of Fame trainer, neither have won the Oaks. Jose Ortiz won the Oaks in 2019 aboard Serengeti Empress.


Coady Photography

3. Hidden Connection (20-1)

Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez

Trainer: Bret Calhoun

Owners: Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds

Career record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $399,525

Earnings per start: $79,905

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 95

Kentucky Oaks points: 57

Pedigree: Connect – C J’s Gal, by Awesome Again

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: If the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks was a few inches shorter or longer, Hidden Connection would likely be a much lower price on Oaks day than she’ll end up being. She lost to Echo Zulu by a nose in that March 26 prep, rating off her rival throughout and fighting her gamely down the long Fair Grounds stretch. This filly has enjoyed success at Churchill Downs, having won the Pocahontas Stakes last September by 9 ¼ lengths. She has good tactical speed and will likely rate right off the leaders. As noted above, if you liked her race in the Fair Grounds Oaks, you’ll get the right price on May 6. Young jockey Reylu Gutierrez makes his Oaks debut, in search of his first Grade 1 victory. Trainer Bret Calhoun is also looking for his first Oaks win.


Eclipse Sportswire

4. Nest (5-2)

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owners: Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House

Career record: 5 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 1 thirds

Career earnings: $623,050

Earnings per start: $124,610

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106

Kentucky Oaks points: 120

Pedigree: Curlin – Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy

Color: Bay

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Nest made the leap from Oaks contender to one of the favorites in her last start, the Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. Sent off as the 1.70-1 favorite in the eight-horse field, she stalked the pace and moved four-wide on the final turn. From there, she powerfully accelerated away from the others and won by 8 ¼ lengths in an eye-catching performance. The Equibase scale was very kind to her; her 106 figure earned in victory is far and away the best last-out mark of any Oaks contender. She’s the only filly in the Oaks who has run at least a 99 twice on that scale. In addition, Nest’s last-out Beyer Speed Figure of 92 is the second-highest mark in the field. This filly has improved rapidly in her last few starts and could be ready to run another career-best race. Look for her to rate right off the early pace and pounce as the field enters the final turn. If she wins Friday, Nest will be the fourth filly in eight years to pull the Ashland/Kentucky Oaks double, joining Lovely Maria in 2015, Monomoy Girl in 2018, and Malathaat last year. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Oaks four times, with Ashado (2004), Rags to Riches (2007), Princess of Sylmar (2013), and Malathaat. If he wins this year, he’ll match Woody Stephens’s record for most wins in the race’s storied history. He’ll have three chances to do so, and Nest looks like his best shot. Irad Ortiz Jr is looking for his first win in this race. He finished second by a neck last year aboard Search Results.


Chelsea Durand/NYRA

5. Goddess of Fire (15-1)

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: Red Oak Stable

Career record: 6 starts – 1 win – 3 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $209,375

Earnings per start: $34,896

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Kentucky Oaks points: 62

Pedigree: Mineshaft – Feel the Fire, by Lightnin N Thunder

Color: Bay

Running Style: Stalker/closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: A classic “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” type, Goddess of Fire has hit the board four times in stakes company without winning. In the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton, she made what looked like a menacing move, but she was outkicked by Turnerloose and lost by a half-length. Next out in the Gulfstream Park Oaks – her final Oaks prep – she once again made a serious bid for the lead on the final turn, but Kathleen O. pulled clear late and Goddess of Fire had to once again settle for second. This filly packs a pretty powerful middle punch, but she’s unable to sustain her moves and often stops in the last eighth of a mile. With some of the horses who defeated her coming back in the Oaks on top of many other high-quality fillies, there’s not much reason to believe Goddess of Fire will manage to outkick them unless she takes a dramatic step forward. Overall, she looks like a much better candidate to round out the trifecta and the superfecta. Todd Pletcher has four Oaks wins (Ashado in 2004, Rags to Riches in 2007, Princess of Sylmar in 2013, and Malathaat in 2021) and he can tie Woody Stephens as the all-time leading Oaks trainer if one of his three starters earns the garland of lilies Friday. John Velazquez has teamed up with Todd Pletcher to win the Oaks twice, doing so with Ashado in 2004 and Malathaat last year.


Coady Photography

6. Yuugiri (30-1)

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset

Owners: Tsunebumi and Sekie Yoshihara

Career record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $543,610

Earnings per start: $108,722

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 98

Kentucky Oaks points: 114

Pedigree: Shackleford – Yuzuru, by Medaglia d’Oro

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter

Notable achievements and interesting facts: This filly is very familiar with the Churchill Downs main track, having raced on it three times as a 2-year-old. She broke her maiden on debut in very impressive style, winning by 7 ¼ lengths, and in her next two starts she was second in the Rags to Riches Stakes and in the Golden Rod Stakes. After finishing a well-beaten third in the Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park to launch her 3-year-old season, Yuugiri bounced back with a hard-fought win in the Fantasy Stakes over the Hot Springs, Ark. oval. She set honest fractions while racing on the lead and the rail, and then fended off a two-pronged attack from Bubble Rock and Beguine to win by a neck. In the Fantasy, she earned a lifetime-best Equibase figure of 98, an 88 Beyer Speed Figure, and a 92 Brisnet figure. Although Yuugiri likes to set the pace, she does not need the lead to win – and with Echo Zulu to deal with up top, this filly might be better served trying to rate off that rival. Yuugiri has not gotten much buzz in the runup to the Oaks, but her speed figures fit in with the other contenders and she will go off at a decent price. Florent Geroux has won the Oaks twice in the past four years, doing so with Monomoy Girl in 2018 and Shedaresthedevil in 2020. Rodolphe Brisset has saddled one prior Oaks starter.


Eclipse Sportswire

7. Echo Zulu (4-1)

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Owners: L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds

Career record: 5 starts – 5 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $1,720,000

Earnings per start: $344,000

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99

Kentucky Oaks points: 130

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Letgomyecho, by Menifee

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter

Notable achievements and interesting facts: On pure talent, Echo Zulu might be the best horse in Oaks 148. She inspired racing fans to dream big last year with a dominant 2-year-old campaign when she went a perfect 4-for-4, including three Grade 1 victories, and was voted champion juvenile filly at the Eclipse Awards. Her average margin of victory in those races was 5 ½ lengths. However, Echo Zulu got a late start to her 3-year-old season. She did not turn in a recorded workout until Feb. 8 and had time for only one prep race, the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks on March 26. What looked like a coronation on paper turned dicey on the track as Echo Zulu set the pace and had to fend off a stout challenge of Hidden Connection in the stretch. The two fillies hit the wire together, and the photo finish camera revealed that Echo Zulu had won by a nose, preserving her perfect record. Echo Zulu enters this race with not as much recent experience as her rivals, having made just one start this year. However, it’s worth noting that Malathaat won the Oaks last year with only one 2021 prep under her belt, so it’s not completely unprecedented for a filly light on 3-year-old experience to win. Echo Zulu has blazing early speed and will almost certainly be in front when the field reaches the first turn. If she runs her race, she might be very tough to catch. Echo Zulu’s co-owner Winchell Thoroughbreds and her trainer Steve Asmussen won the Oaks in 2005 with Summerly and 2014 with Untapable. Joel Rosario, the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey, is seeking his first Oaks victory.


Joe Labozzetta/NYRA

8. Venti Valentine (20-1)

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Trainer: Jorge Abreu

Owners: NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds

Career record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $416,250

Earnings per start: $83,250

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 92

Kentucky Oaks points: 94

Pedigree: Firing Line – Glory Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Although she was a stakes winner against fellow New York-breds as a 2-year-old, Venti Valentine served notice to the broader racing world on March 5, when she won the Busher Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct by seven lengths. She ran a Beyer Speed Figure of 92, a figure identical to that earned by Secret Oath in the Honeybee Stakes the week prior. Off that win, she was the 11-10 favorite in the April 9 Gazelle Stakes. Venti Valentine set the pace as usual, but Nostalgic came up the inside and outkicked her late. This filly is another Oaks hopeful who has done far and away her best work as a 3-year-old, and she also figures to be prominent on the early pace. She’s not a need-the-lead type, however and should be able to avoid getting caught up in a duel. If Venti Valentine wins Friday, she’d be the first horse to capture both the Busher and the Oaks since Princess of Sylmar in 2013. Trainer Jorge Abreu, a familiar name to New York racing fans, is looking for his first graded stakes win in his Oaks debut.


Eclipse Sportswire

9. Desert Dawn (20-1)

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Trainer: Phil D’Amato

Owner: H & E Ranch

Career record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $378,400

Earnings per start: $54,057

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Kentucky Oaks points: 108

Pedigree: Cupid – Ashley’s Glory, by Honour and Glory

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Notable achievements and interesting facts: It’s not every year that you see an Arizona-bred in the Oaks starting gate, but Desert Dawn will try to do the Copper State proud here. She had won just once in six starts prior to the April 9 Santa Anita Oaks, and bettors didn’t give her much of a chance, sending her off at 14.60-1, far and away the longest odds of anyone in the race. However, Desert Dawn proved almost everyone wrong with a shocking neck victory to clinch her place in the run for the lilies. She rated off a very fast pace, then took advantage when her rivals began to weaken. That was a career-best race on just about every speed figure scale, and the nature of the performance might make one skeptical that she can do it again in the Oaks. It’s not likely that many of the pacesetters will melt down, and if they do, there’s going to be some high-quality horses closing along with Desert Dawn. This scenario stands in stark contrast to the Santa Anita Oaks, where no one else made up much ground. Regardless of what happens, it’s cool to see horses from smaller racing states like Arizona get their moment in the sun. Desert Dawn was bred by her owners, Hollis and Elena Crim, who operate 400-acre H & E Ranch in Globe, Ariz. Her owners, trainer, and jockey are all searching for their first Oaks wins. Desert Dawn would be the first horse to pull off the Santa Anita Oaks/Kentucky Oaks double since champion Rags to Riches in 2007.


Bob Coglianese/Gulfstream Park

10. Kathleen O. (7-2)

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Owner: Winngate Stables

Career record: 4 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $379,730

Earnings per start: $94,933

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Kentucky Oaks points: 150

Pedigree: Upstart – Quaver, by Blame

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Kathleen O. was dominant all winter long at Gulfstream Park, cruising to three impressive stakes wins. She served notice on New Year’s Day when she crushed the field in the Cash Run Stakes by 8 ½ lengths. Next out, she rolled to victory in the Davona Dale Stakes Presented by FanDuel by two lengths. And finally, she affirmed her status as one of the Oaks favorites with a 2 ¾-length triumph in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. She earned an impressive 98 Beyer Speed Figure in that race, the best of any Oaks rival by six points. On the Equibase scale, the 100 she earned is tied for the second-best last-out figure. She turned in her first workout on the Churchill Downs surface on Saturday, April 30, going four furlongs in 47.80 seconds. Kathleen O.’s deep closing style makes her susceptible to getting stuck in traffic, but if she can avoid getting into trouble, she’s going to be rolling late. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey won the Oaks in 1993 with Dispute. Dispute is the last horse to date to pull off the Gulfstream Park Oaks-Kentucky Oaks double. Javier Castellano, also in the Hall of Fame, won in 2016 aboard Cathryn Sophia.


Eclipse Sportswire

11. Cocktail Moments (30-1)

Jockey: Corey Lanerie

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Owner: Dixiana Farms

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $214,560

Earnings per start: $79,905

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Kentucky Oaks points: 52

Pedigree: Uncle Mo – River Maid, by Where’s the Ring

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: Cocktail Moments broke her maiden in impressive fashion last November at Churchill Downs. She rallied from 10th place early on in the seven-furlong race to win by 9 ¼ lengths going away. Off that performance, the daughter of Uncle Mo was the odds-on choice in the Untapable Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 26 to close out her juvenile campaign, but she finished a flat third. In her most recent start, Cocktail Moments was a distant second behind Nest in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland on Apr. 8. She won a photo for second over Interstatedaydream in that race – meaning she secured her Oaks spot by a matter of inches. Her best races have been a cut below those of the major Oaks contenders, and she’s going to have to weave through traffic late in this big field. Cocktail Moments is capable of rounding out the trifecta or the superfecta at a decent price, but that’s about it. Jockey Corey Lanerie, trainer Ken McPeek, and owner Dixiana Farms are all seeking their first Oaks victories. Over the past five years, McPeek has finished second twice in the Oaks, with Daddys Lil Darling 2017 and then in 2020 with Swiss Skydiver, who went on to win the Preakness Stakes.


Eclipse Sportswire

12. Candy Raid (30-1)

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

Owners: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Keith Desormeaux

Career record: 10 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $191,400

Earnings per start: $19,140

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Kentucky Oaks points: 51

Pedigree: Candy Raid – Lady Samuri, by First Samurai

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: The most experienced member of the Oaks field was on the radar of few fans or horseplayers prior to the April 2 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park. She was unplaced in two stakes tries earlier in the season and had won just two races: a maiden claiming race at Ellis Park last summer and then an allowance race at Delta Downs in December. After drafting at the back of the pack early on in the Bourbonette, she exploded with a powerful rally and won by 4 ½ lengths going away at odds of 52.30-1. It was an impressive performance, but it took place over the synthetic Tapeta track at Turfway, which is generally more favorable towards closers. The field in the Oaks is also much tougher than the one she beat that day. While this filly is coming into the race in career-best form, a repeat of the Bourbonette performance is not likely. Jockey Rafael Bejarano won the 2010 Oaks aboard champion Blind Luck.


Coady Photography

13. Shahama (15-1)

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: KHK Racing

Career record: 4 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $223,484

Earnings per start: $55,871

Top Equibase Speed Figure: n/a

Kentucky Oaks points: 50

Pedigree: Munnings – Private Feeling, by Belong to Me

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Notable achievements and interesting facts: No horse has won the Kentucky Oaks in their first American start, but Shahama will try to buck that trend. She’s one of three undefeated horses in the field, having most recently won the UAE Oaks Feb. 18 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. In that race, she came from last place and struck the front under minimal urging from her jockey, who then kept her to task in a two-length victory. Shahama was transferred to Todd Pletcher’s barn not long after that race, and she has been working consistently in Florida and then at Churchill since early April. Friday will mark her first start since the UAE Oaks, which may put her up against it compared to some of her more recently-raced rivals. She’s the “X” factor in the Kentucky Oaks field, and gets top jockey Flavien Prat to ride. This Munnings filly has it in her to run a big race, but it’s hard to gauge how she’ll do against a tough field in her first American appearance. Pletcher can tie Woody Stephens as the all-time winningest trainer in the Oaks with five victories if one of his three fillies entered comes through. He previously won with Ashado (2004), Rags to Riches (2007), Princess of Sylmar (2013), and Malathaat (2021). Ashado, Rags to Riches, and Malathaat were all voted champion 3-year-old filly in their respective seasons.


Coady Photography

14. Turnerloose (20-1)

Jockey: Manny Franco

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owners: Ike and Dawn Thrash

Career record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $547,300

Earnings per start: $91,217

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 89

Kentucky Oaks points: 60

Pedigree: Nyquist – Goaltending, by A.P. Indy

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: After racing exclusively on grass in her 2-year-old season, Turnerloose made her dirt debut in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19. She rated off the pace and got up late to win in a 17.50-1 upset. She then got a similar trip in the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks next out on Mar. 26, but fell flat and was well-beaten. This Nyquist filly has never run a speed figure that is competitive with her Oaks opponents, and her dull last race is somewhat concerning. Her backers can take solace in knowing that the 2019 Oaks winner, Serengeti Empress, had a similar profile as Turnerloose. That speedy filly won the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, was well-beaten in the Fair Grounds Oaks, and then won the Kentucky Oaks at 13-1 in a gate-to-wire performance. We’ll see if lightning strikes twice. Trainer Brad Cox has won the Oaks twice, doing so with Monomoy Girl in 2018 and Shesdaresthedevil in 2020.


Coady Photography

15. Beguine (also-eligible, SCRATCHED)

Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Trainer: Daniel Peitz

Owner: Charles Matses

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Career earnings: $183,000

Earnings per start: $45,750

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 97

Kentucky Oaks points: 40

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Shananies Song, by Eltish

Color: Chestnut

Running Style: Press the pace

Notable achievements and interesting facts: A late-blooming sort, Beguine did not debut until Jan. 7, and did not race around two turns until March 5. The daughter of Horse of the Year and excellent young sire Gun Runner broke her maiden that day in front-running style, inspiring her connections to take a shot in the Fantasy Stakes. Beguine pressed the pace and battled gamely in the stretch, but could not get by Yuugiri and finished second by a neck. In another example of racing being a game of inches, if Beguine had won the photo, she’d be in the main body of the Oaks, and Yuugiri would be on the outside looking in. As things stand now, Beguine will need one defection to get into the Oaks field. If this filly gets in, she has good tactical speed and is getting better at the right time. Could be an upset candidate. Editor’s note: Beguine did not draw into the Oaks from the also-eligible list.

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