Kentucky Oaks 2024 Update (3-4-24)

By Jarrod Horak

The Cincinnati Trophy on March 1, and the Busher and Davona Dale on March 2 were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this report, I will look back at those events and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders.  The next points race on the schedule is the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel on March 9. That race was originally slated for March 3 but was rescheduled due to rainy weather. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Recaps

Cincinnati Trophy (3-1-24) 

Fractions: 24.03, 47.11, 1:11.57, 1:24.28, 1:37.31

Top 5 Finishers: Maxisuperfly, Barbratina, Living Magic, Everland, Cozee Rags

Maxisuperfly stole this one on the front end. She broke on top and remained a length clear for most of the running. She opened up by 2 1/2 lengths in the lane and tallied by a length and a half over Barbratina. The latter rallied from off the pace and was making up nice ground in the lane, but the winner had a nice cushion and this one was clearly second best. My top choice Living Magic, making her first start since October, stalked the pace and failed to quicken in an even show finish. Barbratina seems like she wants more ground and might move up in a longer race next time. 

Busher (3-2-24) 

Fractions: 23.62, 46.81, 1;11.96, 1;24.78, 1:38.49

Top 5 Finishers:  Jody’s Pride, Carmelina, Gin Gin, Aoife’s Magic, Regulatory Risk

BC Juvenile fillies runner-up Jody’s Pride made her seasonal bow in this spot. She was the favorite and I made her my top choice, and she did not disappoint. The track was sloppy and she tracked early runner Carmelina, inched forward, and edged away in the lane to score by 2 1/4 lengths under Jose Lezcano. Carmelina was clearly second best and Gin Gin rallied for the show. Jody’s Pride will try to prove that she is a legit Kentucky Oaks contender when she runs in the Gazelle (G3) on April 6 for Jorge Abreu. This was a solid effort and we will learn more when she gets back around two turns next time. 

Davona Dale (3-2-24)

Fractions: 24.59, 47.47, 1:11.72, 1:24.41, 1:37.16

Top 5 Finishers: Fiona’s Magic, Into Champagne, Leslie’s Rose, Queen’s Martini, Whocouldaskformo

This race took a big hit when 2-year-old champ Just F Y I came down with a fever and scratched. That development left Leslie’s Rose as the default favorite, but she was passively handled from the inside post under Irad Ortiz. Fiona’s Magic got away with a very soft opening quarter and it was game over. She controlled the pace under Tyler Gaffalione, turned away outside stalker Into Champagne, and beat that one by a half-length. Leslie’s Rose finished an even third at 30 cents on the dollar. This was not a fast race and we probably did not see the GP Oaks winner in this heat.  

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Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Results 

Pocahontas (10-5-3-2-1) – Sep. 16 – Winner: V V’s Dream ($4.40)

Alcibiades (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 6 – Winner: Candied ($10.16)

Frizette (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 7 – Winner: Just F Y I ($11.60)

Chandelier (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 7 – Winner: Chatalas ($8.20)

Rags to Riches (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 29 – Winner: West Sunset ($17.72)

BC Juvenile Fillies (30-15-9-6-3) – Nov. 3 – Winner: Just F Y I ($16.00)

Golden Rod (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 25 – Winner: Intricate ($14.66)

Demoiselle (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 2 – Winner: Life Talk (4.00)

Starlet (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 9 – Winner: Nothing Like You ($6.20)

Untapable (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 23 – Winner: Alpine Princess ($5.40)

Sant Ynez (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 7 – Winner: Kopion ($2.40) 

Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 13 – Winner: Gin Gin ($7.60)

Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 20 – Winner: West Omaha ($3.80)

Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 3 – Winner: R Harper Rose ($6.40)

Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 3 – Winner: Band of Gold ($50.60)

Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 10 – Winner: Kinza ($4.00)

Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 10 – Winner: Power Squeeze ($8.00)

Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 17 – Winner: Tarifa ($7.00)

Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 18 – Winner: Recharge ($6.60)

UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 23 – Winner: Manama Gold ($2.20)

Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 24 – Winner: Lemon Muffin ($58.20)

Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – March 1 – Winner: Maxisuperfly ($48.36)

Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – March 2 – Winner: Jody’s Pride ($3.90)

Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – March 2 – Winner: Fiona’s Magic ($20.20)

Upcoming Races:

Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 9 

FG Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 23 

Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 23

GP Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 30 

Fantasy (100-50-25-15-10) – March 30

Ashland (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5 

Gazelle (100-50-25-15-10) – April 6 

SA Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – April 6 

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Top 20 Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Leaders (thru 3-4-24)

Jody’s Pride 65 points

Fiona’s Magic 60 points

Lemon Muffin 50 points

Tarifa 50 points

Gin Gin 41 points

Just FYI 40 points

West Omaha 40 points

Intricate 35 points

Tapit Jenallie 29 points

Into Champagne 25 points

Perfect Shot  25 points

Carmelina 25 points

V V’s Dream 23 points

Band of Gold 21 points

Power Squeeze 20 points

Recharge 20 points

Maxisuperfly 20 points

Kopion 20 points

Alpine Princess 20 points

Candied 19 points

Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2024 Contenders (3-4-24)

#1 – INTRICATE (Gun Runner – Complex Analysis, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh

Comments: She rallied from off the pace to finish a clear second in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) on Feb. 17, and that was her first start since winning the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill in November. She worked a solid half-mile in 48 (3/95) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 29 and should move forward in the Grade 2 FG Oaks on March 23.

#2 – TARIFA (Bernardini – Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) – Trainer: Brad Cox

Comments: The Rachel Alexandra (G2) was her coming out party and she worked out a nice tactical trip under Flavien Prat. That was her stakes debut and she might be getting good at the right time. She breezed a half-mile in 49.80 (37/75) on March 3. 

#3 – KOPION (Omaha Beach – Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) – Trainer: Richard Mandella 

Comments: She easily won her first two starts including the Grade 3 Santa Ynez. She could not catch Kinza in the Grade 3 Las Virgenes on Feb. 10 and was second best that day. She worked 3f in 38.20 (14/16) on Feb. 29 at Santa Anita and her next target is the SA Oaks (G2) on April 6. 

#4 – JUST F Y I (Justify – Star Act, by Street Cry) – Trainer: Bill Mott

Comments: Juvenile champion Just F Y I had a fever and was forced to miss the Davona Dale on March 2. Bill Mott still hopes to make the Kentucky Oaks but her preparation this year is not ideal. If all goes well, she will run next in the GP Oaks (March 30), Fantasy (March 30), or Ashland (April 5). Let’s see how long it takes her to get back on the worktab.  

#5 – WEST OMAHA (West Coast – Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d’Oro) – Trainer: Brad Cox

Comments: She has been a solid stakes performer for Brad Cox. She was second in the Untapable, first in the Silverbulletday, and third in the Honeybee (G3). I almost replaced her with Jody’s Pride this week, but I will keep her here for now. Her Honeybee trip was not ideal and I think she can go better next time. Let’s see how she works in the coming weeks.