Kentucky Oaks Update: The Novel Nine

Turbulent Descent may have set a new stakes record in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr.1) on Saturday but the talented 3-year-old Congrats filly has unfortunately been removed from consideration for the Kentucky Oaks on May 6^th. She will instead be pointed for one turn races throughout the year where trainer Mike Puype feels she will be less vulnerable. In the 1 1/16 mile Santa Anita Oaks Turbulent Descent was all out to hold off a fast-closing Zazu by a neck and while both fillies were absolutely flying at the end it was Zazu who caught the eye with her fleet-footed move. Unlike Turbulent Descent the nearly white filly has her sights set firmly on the Kentucky Oaks. Her blazingly fast move came up just short in the Santa Anita Oaks but a few strides past the wire she was already a length in front of Turbulent Descent and kept running out around the turn. She will appreciate stretching out to the 1 1/8 mile distance in the Kentucky Oaks just as much as Dancinginherdreams will. The two horses flying home late in the 137^th Kentucky Oaks this year could well turn out to be two striking grays.

Turbulent Descent may be off the Oaks trail but I think Mike Puype might be underestimating her distance abilities. She did run the fastest Santa Anita Oaks in history, breaking a 31 year old record and in a race only 1/16 of a mile shorter in distance. She employs a powerful run from well off the pace that would suit her well going farther.

 

In other Kentucky Oaks related news undefeated filly It’s Tricky could be headed for a potential showdown with Davona Dale(gr.2) winner R Heat Lightning in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks on April 2^nd. After showing a new dimension when winning the Busher Stakes by 8 lengths on February 20^th trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has decided to test his talented charge in deeper waters. It’s Tricky will be facing a tough competitor in R Heat Lightning if the two fillies wind up facing each other in the Gulfstream Oaks but she might just be up to the challenge. [Read the rest of the article here on HRN and see the latest Kentucky Oaks Contenders rankings]