The Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational
That was a tough beat last week with Wakanaka. It is never fun losing, but it is harder to swallow when you think you had the best horse. I think Wakanaka was clearly best for a few reasons, but I will just turn the page.
The Jockey Club Oaks is a mile and three eighths on the grass. It is for three-year-old fillies and 7 are scheduled to line up.
This is not the strongest group, and we have a strong favorite from across the Atlantic to deal with from Appleby and Godolphin. Godolphin and Charlie have not been as “hot” as they have in the past of late so maybe we can beat them here.
Last Call is one of the ones in here I view as still having some upside. They thought enough of this filly to try the Breeders’ Cup last year and her race was not all that bad. She looks like she can finish decently and Irad gets the call. She comes back quick off a race at Kentucky Downs and a lot of horses run well off the course.
Quarrel is another with some potential but not as much as the filly to her inside. She should be close to or setting the pace in here and that will help her the way this race shapes up on paper.
Neecie Marie comes in off two in a row at Parx against lesser. How much lesser is a question but lesser is lesser. She comes from a sharp barn who can ship in here and win and she likes to move early in the race, that could serve her will here.
Stephanie’s Charm looks to be in deep waters. I think she is in over her head.
Highland Grace is interesting. She put two in a row together before the Saratoga meet started and shipped running up there. She likes this distance and can lay close without leaving herself too much to do. She is a logical alternative to the favorite and has a legit shot to win this, but I lean another way.
Eternal Hope is the deserving Godolphin favorite. Her wins in Europe were on synthetic and she has yet to win on the turf. She can win this race for sure but at a short price I think it is the better play to try and beat her.
Speirling Beag has a touch of class to her and comes from the Graham Motion barn who can win these types of races. I’m not sold she wants to go this far.
I will take a shot with the filly on the rail, Last Call. Hopefully she makes the last run and can make that count for the win. The pace scenario I project does not favor her, but sometimes we see the horse with the burst win despite not getting the set up on the turf. I am looking for that kind of race here.
