Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Gulfstream Oaks wide open
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Whereas Fly So High was heavily favored – and ran to her backing – in the Grade 2 Davona Dale here four weeks ago, Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks lacks a standout choice, with Take Charge Paula listed as the 4-1 morning-line favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race.
On paper, the race looks to be that wide open.
Though 13 3-year-old fillies were entered in the Oaks, two horses are expected to scratch. C. S. In charge, winner of the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa, will be re-routed to the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on April 7, according to trainer Dale Romans, who will still send out Coach Rocks. Heavenhasmynikki, third in the Grade 2 Davona Dale, will be pointed to the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy at Oaklawn on April 13 according to her owner, Ron Paolucci, who will still send out Eight Thirtyone and Tell Your Mama.
The 11 remaining fillies have much to prove if they hope to win the Gulfstream Oaks and advance to the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 4. The Gulfstream Oaks awards 170 qualifying points (100-40-2010) toward the Kentucky Oaks to its top four finishers.
Take Charge Paula will attempt two turns for the first time since she finished 10th in the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs last September. She is 3 for 5 since then in one-turn races and is coming off a runner-up finish behind Fly So High in the Davona Dale, her second start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
“She broke sharp and was out in the middle of the racetrack on the turn,” McLaughlin said. “Horses came up inside and outside of us. Turning for home, he angled her out and she ran on to be second. It was a very good effort. We were probably second best on the day anyway.”
Jose Ortiz will replace Paco Lopez aboard Take Charge Paula, who breaks from post 3.
Daisy and Mihrab finished second and third behind C. S. Incharge in the Suncoast. John Servis, the trainer of Daisy, and Graham Motion, the trainer of Mihrab, are equipping their fillies with blinkers for the first time.
The way Daisy raced under John Velazquez in the Suncoast makes Servis think she’ll run better with blinkers in the Oaks.
“I thought the Tampa race was a lot better than it looked because at the five-sixteenths pole I didn’t think she had a prayer,” said Servis. “She looked like she was backing up and wasn’t going to get anything. Johnny said as soon as the horse run up on the outside of her, she dug right back in and took off again, so I think the blinkers will help her.”
Mihrab rallied from far back to be third in the Suncoast.
Mihrab drew post 12 for the Oaks, but will get to move in two slots with the two expected scratches.
There should be pace in the race with Eighty Thirtyone, Coach Rocks, and Alter Moon in the field.
Blonde Bomber returns to her preferred track. Princess Warrior ran second in last year’s Grade 1 Alcibades at Keeneland. Silver Bay is 2 for 2 sprinting. Tell Your Mama is a maiden after eight starts. Cache had a difficult trip when fifth in the Davona Dale.
KEY CONTENDERS
Mihrab, by Tiznow Last 3 Beyers: 66-57-59
◗ After racing well off the pace early in the Suncoast, she showed late interest while widest of all and was beaten only two lengths by C. S. Incharge.
◗ Motion worked Mihrab in blinkers on Mach 24 and liked what he saw.
“I thought she worked well with the blinkers,” Motion said. “I thought she ran especially well at Tampa and should move forward from that race.”
◗ Her dam, Bsharpsonata, won the Davona Dale and Forward Gal over this track in 2008.
Daisy, by Blame Last 3 Beyers: 68-66-79
◗ Another who ran spotty in the Suncoast, which was her first start in 10 weeks.
◗ Servis said Daisy worked six furlongs in 1:15 in blinkers on March 11, and was satisfied enough that he didn’t work her back in them, fearing she’d do too much.
◗ DRF FORMULATOR: Over the last three years, Servis is 8 for 23 with a $2.80 ROI adding blinkers in dirt routes.
Take Charge Paula, by Take Charge Indy Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-76
◗ A four-time stakes winner around one turn, she gets a rider change to Jose Ortiz for her second attempt around two turns.
◗ Had a troubled trip when 10th in the Grade 2 Pocahontas last fall at Churchill.
Princess Warrior, by Midshipman Last 3 Beyers: 78-70-68
◗ Finished fourth, beaten three lengths, in the Grade 3 Here comes the bride on turf here March 3.
◗ Last time she raced on dirt, she finished second to Cosmic Burst, who is 4 for 6 with a recent victory in the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn.
◗ Had a bullet work on dirt at Payson Park on March 24.
◗ Gets rider switch to Irad Ortiz Jr.