Nine fillies line up for the Oaks, each seeking glory over ten furlongs.
Several have already crossed paths in earlier Classics, and this extended trip will test stamina, patience, and tactical nous. Below is the draw-by-draw assessment.
1 – GULFSTREAM CAT
Pedigree: Bay filly (Apr 3) by Savoy Stomp out of Burning Clearance
Trainer: Carl Anderson
Jockey: Chalrick Budhai
Gulfstream Cat got her first taste of two turns on July 11 at nine furlongs and 25 yards, finishing behind Tia Maria and Minniehaha. With both rivals back in the Oaks, reversing that outcome looks a tall order. She will need marked improvement to trouble the principals.
2 – DREAM CATCHER
Pedigree: Bay filly (May 12) by Bern Identity out of Double Jeopardy
Trainer: Jason DaCosta
Jockey: Tevin Foster
The only Oaks contender with more than two wins. Dream Catcher bravely tackled colts in the St Leger, finishing fifth, ten lengths adrift of We Jammin. Back among fillies, she looks far more at home. Her trademark late surge, coupled with proven stamina at ten furlongs, makes her a prime candidate to secure a second Classic victory this season.
3 – MINNIEHAHA
Pedigree: Bay filly (Feb 23) by Savoy Stomp out of Red Gold
Trainer: Robert Pearson
Jockey: Dane Dawkins
Minniehaha showed early dash last time, leading for much of the nine-furlong and 25 yards trip before fading when Tia Maria closed strongly. Stretching out to ten furlongs, she faces an even sterner test. Still, her front-running style ensures she will make headlines, though lasting the journey is the question.
4 – GIVING THANKS
Pedigree: Bay filly (Jan 18) by Bern Identity out of Lightning Lily
Trainer: Philip Feanny
Jockey: Reyan Lewis
Third in the one-mile 1000 Guineas, finishing close up while running on. Giving Thanks has not raced since June 6, but her prior efforts suggest stamina is no barrier. She is lightly raced, progressive, and could be a live outsider if she handles the longer trip.
5 – ANOTHER WOW
Pedigree: Bay filly (Apr 10) by Casual Trick out of Sarah Barracuda
Trainer: Anthony Nunes
Jockey: Phillip Parchment
Defeated Tia Maria over 6½ furlongs on June 27. Now faces her first assignment beyond a mile in eight career starts. Another Wow has endured mixed racing luck but arrives well-prepared. The unknown is whether she can truly stay ten furlongs. If she does, she is a major player.
6 – TIA MARIA
Pedigree: Chestnut filly (Feb 2) by Bold Conquest out of Zacapa
Trainer: Anthony Nunes
Jockey: Tajay Suckoo
Her Oaks prep on July 11 was ideal, winning over nine furlongs and 25 yards. Tia Maria thrives the longer she goes, and her ability to sustain a run over two turns is a significant asset. She commands respect and looks just right for the Oaks distance.
7 – LEXI LOU
Pedigree: Bay filly (Jun 3) by Aveenu Malcainu out of Herroyalhighness
Trainer: Gary Subratie
Jockey: Bebeto Harvey
Equipment Change: Visor off, cheek pieces on
Lexi Lou promised much when third behind Dream Catcher and Taylor Made in the Portmore but disappointed badly in the 1000 Guineas. Equipment changes may spark improvement, yet she must rebound sharply to feature here.
8 – TAYLOR MADE
Pedigree: Gray filly (Apr 14) by Aveenu Malcainu out of Another Fury
Trainer: Jason DaCosta
Jockey: Robert Halledeen
Taylor Made is renowned for her speed and front-running instinct. Surprisingly, she delayed her move in the 1000 Guineas, then fought hard to finish second behind Dream Catcher. Her grit is unquestioned, but stamina at ten furlongs is the concern. She will need a perfectly judged ride to conserve energy for the stretch.
9 – SKY IS THE LIMIT
Pedigree: Chestnut filly (Mar 8) by Bern Identity out of Ransomware
Trainer: Peter-John Parsard
Jockey: Omar Walker
Equipment Change: Blinkers off, figure 8
The speedball of the Oaks. Sky Is The Limit blazed early in the 1000 Guineas before fading late. Over ten furlongs, her challenge is to harness that pace without burning out. Expect her to dictate the tempo down the backstretch, but lasting the journey is doubtful.
