Iowa Oaks
June 24, 2008
Iowa Oaks (Grade 3)
#1- Timely Reflection (15-1)- This filly is a nice sprinter, but I think she will have problems staying on late in this spot. This race is just too far for her at 1 1/16.
#2 Hartigan (8-1)- Coming off two nice wins in minor stakes at Pimlico. The move up to a Grade 3 makes sense. She was the heavy favorite in both of those races, so the competition was probably very light. Hartigan was a nice second to Armonk so that shows me she has the class to run here. I suggest you use her third.
#3 Storm Mesa (4-1)- Eddie Martin, Jr. has piloted this filly to 3 consecutive victories and all were in powerful fashion. She should have no problem with the distance and seems to be improving. Her Equibase figure was monstrous at 114 last out in her Cinema Stakes win. I love the price on this filly at 4-1. Key this filly on top, she will be ultra tough.
#4 Maren’s Meadow (5-1)- She bounced last time out, but that can probably be attributed to the sloppy track. Prior to that race she won the Grade 3 Borbounette Stakes at Turfway Park. I can’t tell if she won that race because she was improving or because of the synthetic surface. I advise you to use her third.
#5 Day of Victory (8-1)- Ran a nice second last out after swinging four wide in a minor stakes at Prairie Meadows. The winner of that event is also in this race. She is definitely classy enough for this bunch. Use her third.
#6 Alina (7/2)- This filly was a bargain basement purchase at $6,000. Since then she has gone on to finish second to Eight Belles and earn $167,650. After two tries in tougher company this seems like a nice spot for her. I would use her second and third.
#7 Tight Precision (12-1)- I suggest you throw this one out, she doesn’t have the class to run with these.
#8 Miss Missile (12-1)- Was much the best last time out in a minor stakes at a no name track. She’s got nice speed but I don’t think she will be able to hang on, or be anywhere close for that matter.
#9 Sky Mom (6-1)- Was second by a long way to my top choice last time out. She ran a 102 Equibase figure at this distance 3 races back. I would use her third.
#10 Rasierra (9/2)- Wired the field last out after a disappointing 8th in the Kentucky Oaks. She has fired a bullet 3 furlong move since that race and looks ready to roll. The added distance should work to her benefit. Use this filly second and third.
1st- Storm Mesa (4-1)
2nd-Rasierra (9/2)
3rd- Alina (7/2)
Plays:
$20 Exacta Storm Mesa/ Rasierra, Alina (3/6,10)
$1 Trifecta Storm Mesa/ Rasierra, Alina/ Rasierra, Alina, Hartigan, Sky Mom, Maren’s Meadow, Day of Victory (3/6,10/2,4,5,6,10)
$1 Superfecta Storm Mesa/ Rasierra, Alina/ Rasierra, Alina, Hartigan, Sky Mom, Maren’s Meadow, Day of Victory/Rasierra, Alina, Hartigan, Sky Mom, Maren’s Meadow, Day of Victory (3/6,10/2,4,5,6,10/2,4,5,6,10)