16:30 - Zainalarab
The first of our US selections on the Kentucky Oaks card is Chad Brown’s 3-y-o filly Zainalarab.
This daughter of War Front was sent off even money when a comfortable winner on debut at Belmont Park in September and it is interesting that these top connections have decided to run her here on return.
She is by War Front out of Chad Brown’s former filly Delightful Joy so she is bred to be a useful dirt performer and the second, third and fourth at Belmont have all since enhanced the form.
An obvious negative is her lack of experience compared to her rivals but her unexposed profile means she could easily prove to be a class above.
17:05 - Another Woman
Our second selection of the day comes in the next race where Another Woman looks to back up her well-supported success at Gulfstream Park last time out.
This filly finished second to Pass The Champagne on debut and that rival is currently 12/1 for the Kentucky Oaks so the form is there for all to see and she never looked in danger when going in next time out.
William Mott is in excellent form so you can expect this horse to be in top condition and Joel Rosario, who operates at a 22% S/R for the yard, has been booked to ride.
First time blinkers applied.
19:09 - Aunt Pearl
This classy filly needs little introduction having landed the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in impressive fashion and she may prove impossible to catch if allowed another lead on return.
Unlike many of the top US horses she has a European pedigree and connections have recently stated she is still being aimed at the Coronation Stakes (currently 7/1) therefore she will need to be winning a race of this nature.
She does have to give away 4lb but that is unlikely to stop her.
22:51 - Malathaat
The feature race on Friday’s card is the Kentucky Oaks and it is Tod Pletcher’s unbeaten daughter of Curlin that we believe will take the world of beating.
This filly is 4/4 in her short career so far and the manner in which she finished in the Ashland Stakes suggests she will only improve for this extra yardage.
That was her first run since December therefore she is entitled to improve for it and she represents a yard that have won the race twice in recent years.
00:00 - Christmas Poem
A much lesser event rounds off the card as 13 go to post in a Maiden Special Weight with Christmas Poem looking an interesting each-way option for Ian Wilkes.
This 3-y-o bay filly didn’t look the finished article when fourth in a strong enough event at Keeneland but she still managed to get close to Magic Quest who is likely to be much shorter in the betting today.
If she has straightened up for the effort she may just close that gap on her rival and run into the frame.
Chris Landeros rides, stall 5.