The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks

It is Alabama Day at Saratoga, but you’d be hard pressed to argue the racing at Del Mar this year has not been better than the Spa and I decided to go west where the turf meets the surf.

The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks drew a competitive field of 10 fillies with two that appear to have quite bright futures.

I’ll run down the field and see where we land.

And Tell Me Nolies has a lot of experience but only one of her 10 starts was on the turf. She ran a good third in the Grade 2 San Clemente and I can see her appreciate the added eighth of a mile she will get here. I have always thought she has ability, and it may be turf is what she wants. I call her a contender.

Window Shopping goes out for Richard Mandella and it appears from the outset she was pointed for the grass. She has come into her own of late and has the class to contend here. She is another with a live look to her.

Infinite Diamond looks to be in deep waters here. She also has only one turf start but I don’t see enough to think she can win here.

Ruby Nell might need sunglasses as the future appears to be quite bright. She has really come around in her last two grass races and her 1.2 mil lofty price is starting to reveal itself. She can be on the lead or just off it and is one of the ones they will have to beat in here.

Anisette is another in here with a ton of potential. Her UK races were good but not great however she did finish well. Her US races were a lot better, and she continued to finish fast and won both. Noted are her UK races were on synthetic, so she is unbeaten on the lawn.

Impact warrior is an improving filly in a dangerous barn. I am not convinced she is as good as some of the others in here but that said, she would not shock me if she was. I’ll gamble she isn’t.

Big Pond goes to the turf and a route of two dirt sprints. She should set the pace in here and help the closers. If they let her waltz shame on them.

Absolutely Zero is another moving to grass out of dirt sprints. Another pace factor.

Be Your Best can contend here on her best, but she has not been consistent. She seems to like Saratoga where she is two for two, but they opt to ship here. Things that make you go hmmmm.

Paris Secret looks a cut below despite being from a dangerous barn.

I wound up torn between Window Shopping who I expect a big race from and Anisette who has the looks of a very nice filly. I think there should be enough pace to make the last run count and that leads me to Anisette who should be the one in that spot.

Enjoy the races. For more on Saturday check out Saratoga Saturday on Past the Wire TV! You’ll be glad you did.