Betting with, and against, Sandstone in the Bourbonette Oaks

A dozen sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $250,000 Bourbonette Oaks. The affair will reward the top four finishers with a total of 85 (50-20-10-5) qualifying points in the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Oaks challenge series event.

The deserving morning-line favorite is #8 Sandstone (5-2), who will make her three-year-old debut for conditioner Kenny McPeek. By Street Sense, the Kentucky-bred filly displayed a world of talent as a juvenile with her highlight coming in a 10-length romp in the Rags to Riches S. at Churchill Downs. She capped 2021 with a decent third in the Golden Rod S. (G2) as the 4-5 favorite.

Sandstone comes off the long break in this spot, and the dark bay will also race over an all-weather oval for the initial time in her career. She has been working well as of late in advance of this tilt, and if she takes to the going, then her foes will have to work very hard to knock her off on Saturday. Regular pilot Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount.

There could be a logical case made against the favorite, however, due to her long absence and unfamiliarity with the surface. And one contender who could benefit in Tepin S. heroine #12 Vergara (8-1), who will also be making her sophomore bow. Trained by Graham Motion, the talented Noble Mission filly is proven on the green and runs for a conditioner who is fantastic with layoff types. Tactical miss looms as a danger with Victor Carrasco riding.

#10 North County (5-1) was 3-for-3 to begin her career prior to coming home seventh in the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) most recently. The Brendan Walsh pupil is a proven commodity on both grass and dirt, and she could be any kind in her local debut with Beschizza in the stirrups.

Local allowance victress #2 Let’s Be Clear (12-1), Mazarine S. (G3) queen #7 Ms. Barbara (5-1), and Ruthless S. runner-up #9 Champagne Poetry (10-1), also merits consideration in the deep field.

Sandstone – With

• $2 trifecta key 8 with 2,7,9,10,12 ($40)
• 20-cent superfecta key 8 with 2,7,9,10,12 ($12)

Sandstone – Against

• $2 exacta box 2,7,9,10,12 ($40)
• 50-cent trifecta 2,10,12 with 2,10,12 with 2,7,8,9,10,12 ($12)