By Don Phillips Jr., “At the Kentucky Oaks,” Friday, April 30,2021 — Note that Friday’s filly classic launches the Oaks-Derby Double and the Oaks, Old Forester Turf Classic and Derby Pick 3:
Projected Finish:
#6 Travel Column cruised in her career start in a field of 12 and no other filly accomplished that in today’s field. This may not seem important but it takes a “talented” horse to tolerate the stress horses endure approaching the gate and in the stalls in a full field of 12. Ignore her second start when she hopped up behind the gate in a race where she was asked to stretch out. In her next three starts, she was a neck shy of going 3-for-3. She is in peak form and her versatile style will give regular partner Florent Geroux options to negotiate today’s added distance.
#10 Malathaat has not faced large fields and her margin of victory has not been impressive in three of her four starts. Post 10 does not boost her chances.
#4 Crazy Beautiful is very consistent and will get a fast pace to set up her late kick.
#12 Search Results is too sharp to dismiss despite wide draw.
