Kentucky Oaks

For the pass years, I was never a big fan of the Kentucky Oaks mostly because it runs on a Friday afternoon. This year will be my first attempt at picking a Oaks winner and here's a quick look of the field.

PP, HORSE, JOCKEY
1. GOLDEN DOC, DESORMEAUX
2. ABSOLUTELY, LEPAROUX
3. AWESOME CHIC, ALBARADO
4. ELUSIVE LADY, COA
5. RASIERRA,THERIOT H J II
6. COUNTRY STAR, BEJARANO
7. LITTLE BELLE, MARAGH
8. PROUD SPELL, SAEZ
9. A TO THE CROFT, BOREL
10. BSHARPSONATA, CAMACHO
11. PURE CLAN, PRADO
12. EIGHT BELLES, DOMINGUEZ


My top pick for this year's Oaks is the double Grade 1 winner Country Star and likely second betting choice at post time. There are a lot to like about Country Star, she is trained by Hall of famer Bobby Frankel (2 times Oakes winner, Flute in 2001 and Keeper Hill in 1998) and is sired by Belmont winner Empire Maker. Country Star won the Alcibiades and Hollywood Starlet to close out her 2 year-old season but only made one start this year.
Country Star finished 5th in her last race and she is likely to improve in her 2nd start since layoff. The Oaks is shaping up to be a paceless race, Country Star and Bejarano could find themselves closer to the pace when turning for home. If Country Star can rebound from her last race, she will out kick the rest of the field.

Proud Spell has earned one of the highest Beyers figures (99) in the Oaks. Proud Spell beat last year 2 year-old champion filly Indian Blessing in the Fair Ground Oaks and then finished 3rd in her last race at Keenland. Proud Spell is training very well at Churchill Downs and seem to like the dirt track. She worked a very impress 5f for 58 2/5 on the April 27 and is prime for a big effort.

Florida Oaks winner Awesome Chic is my long shot of the race. Awesome Chic is bred to run all day, she is by Awesome Again and her dam sire is AP Indy. In her first and only race around 2 turns, she won the Florida Oaks by 4 1/2 length. At post 3, Albarado should able save group around both turn while close to the pace and she can suprise at long odds.

Little Belle has won 3 in a row coming into this race. In her last race the Ashland, she hang on to beat Bsharpsonata by a neck. Little Belle is the lone speed in the race, Maragh will try to slow down the early pace to steal the race.