2011 Kentucky Oaks Top 10 – Victory Lap?

The 2011 Kentucky Oaks will be run in two days and the post positions have been drawn. A field of 13 will contest the 137^th running but my longtime number one ranked filly R Heat Lightning is not part of the equation.

R Heat Lightning came down with a problem in her right knee and will be evaluated at Lexington’s Rod and Riddle clinic later in the week. She will drop out of my top ten for now but could return to the list later this year if/when she gets healthy.

Joyful Victory has looked every bit as good as R Heat Lightning in her two graded romps this year and is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the Oaks. The razor sharp Larry Jones trainee appears ready for battle on Oaks day.

Kathmanblu is the 4-1 second choice along with Zazu. The former was the beaten favorite in the Ashland but romped in Churchill’s Golden Rod late last year and is reportedly training well for Friday’s engagement.

Zazu will attempt to win the Oaks off a 2-month layoff and should be plenty fit with multiple six and seven furlong synthetic workouts for John Sadler.

This list is dedicated to the thirteen Oaks fillies and I will open up my top ten in the near future to include future stars (Island School), sprinters (Turbulent Descent), turf horses (Winter Memories), etc. as we wind our way toward the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs in the fall.

The purse for the 2011 Kentucky Oaks has been bumped up to a cool $1 million and Kathmanblu closed as the 7-2 favorite in the Oaks Future Wager pool (March 11-13). I planned on playing Joyful Victory but she was hammered from 20-1 to 8-1 after her romping win in the Honeybee.

Click on the names of each horse below to view their Horse Racing Nation profile page, which includes pedigree information, results, and video.

Jarrod Horak’s Top Ten (13) Oaks Fillies:

1. Zazu (A.P. Indy) – Las Virgenes winner just missed in the March 5 Santa Anita Oaks. She has worked six times since, most recently logging 7f in 1:24.40 at Hollywood Park on 4-30.

2. Joyful Victory (Tapit) – Romped in Oaklawn’s Honeybee and Fantasy and has looked much better than her rather light Beyer numbers. Worked a bullet 5f in :59.20 (1/20) at Churchill Downs on 5-1.

3. Summer Soiree (War Front) – Romped in the Bourbonette Oaks on 3-26 for Larry Jones and was subsequently purchased by Team Valor/Graham Motion. She has worked three time since her last including a 4f move in :48.80 (15/60) under the Twin Spires on April 30.

4. Daisy Devine (Kafwain) – Finished 2^nd in the Silverbulletday and 1^st in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She blew out a 3f bullet in :35.80 (1/5) at CD on 5-2.

5. Kathmanblu (Bluegrass Cat) – Multiple stakes winner was a flat 3^rd in the Ashland. The feeling here has always been that she is better on turf but she clearly handles the Churchill Downs oval. Breezed 5f in 1:01.80 (16/36) at Churchill on 4-30.

6. Plum Pretty (Medaglia d’Oro) – She roared into the Kentucky Oaks picture with a dominating two turn win in the Sunland Oaks. Zazu beat her twice at Santa Anita earlier this year but she is improving and breezed 4f in :48.80 (4/38) at CD on 5-2.

7. Her Smile (Include) – Recent Bobby Flay purchase is now trained by Todd Pletcher. The tactical miss exits a runner-up finish in the Comely and is getting better.

8. St. John’s River (Include) – Drew post 13 for the Oaks. Well-bred miss owns ascending numbers and figures to be running late.

9. Lilacs And Lace (Flower Alley) – Synthetic specialist stole the Ashland candy. She had a rough trip in her lone dirt start and won’t get away with soft splits in the Oaks.

10. Bouquet Booth (Flower Alley) – Flat 4^th in last two Graded starts and seems a cut below the best. Won the Delta Princess late last year.

11. Holy Heavens (Holy Bull) – Late runner has been part of trifecta in all five starts for Benard Chatters. She can nibble in the Oaks if the pace gets hot and heavy.

12. Street Storm (Stormy Atlantic) – Won off the turf Mardi Gras at Fair Grounds in March. The Oaks is her first Graded attempt.

13. Suave Voir Faire (Suave) – Distant 3^rd in both Graded routes and adds blinkers for the Oaks. Probably the longest shot in the field.