The Virginia Oaks is a relatively new race with its first running in 2004, but it already boasts great winners like My Typhoon, Dreaming of Anna and Check The Label. The 9 furlong turf race for three-year-old fillies has a purse of $150,000 and is contested at Colonial Downs

Todd Pletcher’s Excited (Giant’s Causeway x Path of Thunder by Thunder Gulch) is the 8/5 morning line favorite. She was last seen finishing second behind American Oaks favorite Bizzy Caroline last out in the Regret Stakes. The third place finisher in that race, Bouquet Booth, returned to run off the board in a stakes race at Indiana Downs earlier this week. She’s tough to back at a short price with Johnny V in the irons.

The second choice is the Graham Motion trained Dynamic Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday x Dynamic Cat by Dynaformer). The Pennsylvania bred is a winner of four in a row, but hasn’t raced since early March. Julien Leparoux gets the mount back. Tough filly, but I can’t accept a short price when she hasn’t been out.

One of the fillies I will look to is Wyomia (Vindication x Beyond The Sun by Kingmambo). She was too close to the pace last out in the Black-Eyed Susan so I’m going to put a line through that race. Two back she finished second in the Ashland Stakes before beginning her year with a win in a minor stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. I’m glad to see Freddy Lenclud back in the irons. He fits her style well and he should lag her back a bit further behind the pace this time. She is my top selection to win the Virginia Oaks at odds of 12-1.

Another interesting horse is Summer Savory (Horse Chestnut x Savory by Skywalker). She was last seen rallying from as many as 14 lengths back to win a first level allowance on the grass at Arlington Park. She bobbled the break and circled the field in that win. That was a monster win and she showed a ton of heart to finish up so strongly. Kent Desormeaux gets up for trainer Michael Stidham. She is a must use at 8-1 on the Pick 4.

Check out our Horse Betting page for information about online horse betting and how to play the Virginia Oaks online!

I’ve handicapped nine races this weekend. My top selections range in price from 8-5 to 10-1, but most are above 3-1. It’s very unusual for me to do nine stakes races in a week, but I saw many things I liked and a number of price horses have great chances to win. I  feel really good about several picks this week. You can play along for just $10 this week, or join me for a month for only $35.

Be on the lookout for Saratoga picks starting next week. I will be handicapping the card every day and I highly encourage you to play along. Last year my highest priced winner was 21-1 shot Dattt Echo. I also gave out several Pick 4 plays paying in excess of $700. I’m ready to do it again.

Don’t miss out!