Ladies Turn ... Kentucky Oaks Countdown

The Terrific 13 1. Dancinginherdreams (Tapit) - How good were this gray filly‘s first two races? A maiden romp at Keeneland and a coasting win in the Pocahontas were both late-running poetry and visually stunning … sky’s the limit. 2. Awesome Feather (Awesome of Course ) She had the perfect year … 6 for 6, a Breeders’ Cup winner, and soon to be champion. How could I not rate her #1? That’s how impressive the top one has been in two races. 3. Turbulent Descent (Congrats) - Congrats continues to be a hot freshman sire, and this undefeated Californian might be the best of bunch. It will be interesting to see her tackle two-turns for the first time. 4. R Heat Lightning (Trippi) - I’m not sure that 9 furlongs will be her best distance, but the Todd Pletcher trainee has proven her toughness against the best of competition at several different tracks. 5. Royal Delta (Empire Maker) - The maiden win at Belmont was big, very big. Regally bred, it looks like Bill Mott has a sure fire distance star, and one that should handle any surface. 6. Summer Laugh (Distorted Humor) - My Demoiselle pick has been away for awhile, but she showed flashes of her ability this Summer at Saratoga. Her dam, Summer Colony was one of my favorites. 7. Aide (Arch) - The female version of Blame? Aide absolutely ran away and hid from an allowance field last month at Churchill Downs. The 19 3/4 length victory at Churchill Downs will send her headfirst into stakes company. 8. May Day Rose (Rockport Harbor) - Wire to wire winner of the Sharp Cat stakes is not getting a lot of ink yet, but she has already proven she can handle the distance, and may be the horse to beat in the upcoming Hollywood Starlet for trainer Bob Baffert. 9. Rigoletta (Concerto) - Dan Hendricks filly improved every start culminating with a hard fought win in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf. A splint injury kept her on the shelf for the BC, but she should return in a few months. 10. A Z Warrior (Bernardini) - The impressive winner of the Frizette did not run a lick in the Juvenile Fillies. I think that was too bad to believe, and Baffert says she came out of the race with a foot bruise. Hollywood Starlet could offer quick redemption. 11. Delightful Mary (Limehouse) - Canadian shipper for Mark Casse accounted for herself well in her first race in America with a 3rd place finish in the Breeders’ Cup. Distance could be a question. 12. Hailey d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) - Jackson, Asmussen, and Medaglia d’Oro have a star filly? Sounds very familiar. Her first race was a pip, but she has a long way to go to enter Rachel’s rarified air. 13. Believe in A.P. (A.P. Indy) - She was a well beaten 4th in the Juvenile Fillies, but this filly is bred to develop as she matures and run all day. Her win at Philadelphia two starts back was very impressive. Here is Turbulent Descent‘s second lifetime start … Flores sits chilly-willy!