Kentucky Oaks 2024 Update (1-15-24)

By Jarrod Horak

This is my first road to Kentucky Oaks report for 2024, and I will return with another update at the end of the month. In this article, I will look back at the Santa Ynez (G3) and Busanda Stakes, and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20 is the next Kentucky Oaks prep, and the winner will receive 20 points. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Recaps

Grade 3 Santa Ynez (1-7-24) 

Fractions – 23.70, 46.55, 1:10.87, 1:23.89

Top 4 Finishers: Kopion, Don’t Bring Crazy, Tambo, Bossy Bruin Gal

Kopion was 20 cents on the dollar vs. three opponents in this extended sprint points race on the road to Kentucky Oaks 2024. The only horse on paper with a chance to upend the chalk was Tambo, but she stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance, and that left Kopion all alone on the lead. Richard Mandella’s Omaha Beach filly was on cruise control throughout under Flavien Prat, and she won by a very easy 5 3/4 lengths. Don’t Bring Crazy was clearly second best and Tambo was more than four lengths behind her. Bossy Bruin Gal brought up the rear. The final time was 1:23.89 and the winner is unbeaten and untested after two starts. 

Busanda (1-13-24)

Fractions – 24.01, 47.93, 1:12.19, 1:38.82, 1:53.31

Top 5 Finishers: Gin Gin, Princess Mayfair, Shimmering Allure, Most of All, Class Act

Shimmering Allure was 80 cents on the dollar in this 1 1/8 miles event. The track was muddy (sealed), and Princess Mayfair got out there from the outside post and set the tempo. Gin Gin stalked the pace from the inside post and made an outside bid in the lane, and she ran down Princess Mayfair to score by a length. Trevor McCarthy rode the winner for trainer Brad Cox. Princess Mayfair was more than nine lengths clear of disappointing show finisher Shimmering Allure. The beaten chalk never looked comfortable. She was pushed along between runners but was not moving forward, and she ended up a non-threatening, clear 3rd over a wet surface she did not seem to handle. 

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)

Upcoming Races:

Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 20

Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 27  

Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 3 

Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 4

Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 10 

Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 17 

Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 18

UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 23

Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 24 

Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – March 1

Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – March 2 

Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – March 2 

Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 3 

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 15 Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Leaders (thru 1-15-24)

Just FYI – 40 points

Gin Gin – 26

Candied – 19 

Life Talk – 19

V V’s Dream – 18

Jody’s Pride – 15

Chatalas – 13

Shimmering Allure – 13

Intricate – 10

West Sunset – 10

Alpine Princess – 10

Kopion – 10

Princess Mayfair – 10

Central Avenue – 8

Scalable –  8

Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2024 Contenders (1-15-24)

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

Comments: She was excellent in the Golden Rod (G2) on Nov. 25, and that was her second straight dirt route victory. She is spending the winter in New Orleans and returned to the worktab with a half-mile breeze in 48.80 at Fair Grounds on Jan. 13. She is targeting the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) on Feb. 17. 

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

Comments: Bill Mott’s filly won each of her three starts in 2023 including back-to-back Grade 1 triumphs in the Frizette and BC Juvenile Fillies. She will spend the winter at Payson Park Training Center in Florida. 

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

Comments: She stalked and was visually impressive in her 6 1/2 furlong debut at Del Mar on Nov. 26. She returned in the Santa Ynez (G3) on Jan. 7, and she dominated three overmatched rivals in that extended sprint at Santa Anita. The Las Virgenes (G3) at one mile on Feb. 4 is her next target.   

#4 – THORPEDO ANNA (Fast Anna, Sataves, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Ken McPeek

Comments: She was strong in her first two sprint wins. The Golden Rod (G2) on Nov. 25 was her stakes debut, and she broke slow, stalked wide, and landed the place behind sharp winner Intricate. Golden Rod also-ran Gin Gin recently captured the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 13.  

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

Comments: She stretched out, stalked wide, and was clearly second best as my top choice in the Untapable in her stakes debut on Dec. 23. She has worked twice this year and is entered in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20.