Classy Act Takes Center Stage in Fair Grounds Oaks

If you’re looking for a horse to single in the multi-race wagers on Saturday at Fair Grounds, I would recommend that you check out the field for the $400,000 TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II).

The 8.5-furlong Kentucky Oaks prep race has attracted nine starters, and at first glance the race appears very competitive. But upon closer examination, I believe that #1 Classy Act is going to be difficult to beat.

Trained by Bret Calhoun, the daughter of Into Mischief was beaten in her first three starts on dirt last year, but a couple of those were narrow defeats and she broke through impressively in her final start of the season while wearing blinkers for the first time, winning a one-mile maiden race over the Fair Grounds turf course by four lengths.

Back on dirt, but still equipped with blinkers, Classy Act followed up her maiden win with a decisive gate-to-wire victory in an allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds, winning by 2 ¼ lengths in a solid time that yielded an 88 BRIS speed figure.

That set her up for last month’s Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. II) over the same track and distance as the Fair Grounds Oaks. After dueling for the early lead through quick fractions, Classcy Act was no match in the homestretch for easy winner Monomoy Girl, but finished a clear second over the multiple graded stakes winner Wonder Gadot.

There doesn’t appear to be a ton of speed in the Fair Grounds Oaks, and Classy Act appears likely to secure the early lead while breaking from the rail. With Monomoy Girl skipping the Fair Grounds Oaks, this should be a perfect opportunity for Classy Act to wire the field and secure her first graded stakes victory.

#8 Wonder Gadot is the most accomplished filly in the field by virtue of her wins in the Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) and Mazarine Stakes (gr. III) last year, but she’s been beaten in both of her starts at Fair Grounds this winter and could find it difficult to turn the tables on Classy Act. #4 Eskimo Kisses could attract some support following an 11 ½-length allowance win at Oaklawn Park that received a 93 BRIS speed figure, but Eskimo Kisses received a perfect trip that day, saving ground every step of the way while racing over a sloppy, sealed track that appeared to favor horses racing on the inside.

I won't try to get overly creative here. Instead, I'll bet Classy Act to win, single her in any multi-race wagers, and play her on top of an exacta with Wonder Gadot and the recent Fair Grounds allowance winner #9 Chocolate Martini:

$20 to win on #1 Classy Act at 2-1 or higher $5 exacta: 1 with 8,9 ($10)

Good luck!