How to bet the 2022 Sunland Park Oaks

A total of 10 three-year-old fillies will contest the $300,000 Sunland Park Oaks on Sunday. The 2022 Road to the Kentucky Oaks challenge series affair will reward the first four finishers with qualifying points on a 50-20-10-5 structure.

I really like #8 Queen of Thorns (4-1) in this spot and would be thrilled to get something close to her morning-line number at post time. Trained by Peter Eurton, the $300,000 juvenile buy gave a fine impression of herself at first asking when winning by eight widening lengths in a maiden special weight dash at Santa Anita. In her second and most recent performance, the daughter of Violence fought gamely to secure the place spot in the Las Virgenes S. (G3).

Queen of Thorns got a breather following her graded stakes debut and comes in fresh for her second black-type attempt. The bay filly has very good early speed, a nice post draw to receive a clean voyage, as well as some solid morning drills in advance of the contest. It’s definitely worth noting that Victor Espinoza will ride and that it’s his only mount on the entire card.

I don’t have a strong feeling in attempting to tab the runner-up in the contest, although I do like the value that #5 Tyler’s Dream (12-1) represents. The Greg Green pupil had been first or second in each of her five lifetime outings prior to an unplaced finish in the Island Fashion S. on the oval most recently, and I expect a much-improved showing from her on Sunday.

The Carpe Diem filly made a nice middle move while very wide before tiring late last time out, and she will move forward in her second dirt route attempt with a more sensible voyage. She is twice stakes placed to this stage of her development, and her versatile running style will play a part in her hitting the board at a price under the guidance of Enrique Gomez.

Sunland Park Oaks Wagers

• $50 win #8 Queen of Thorns ($50)
• $8 exacta 8 with 5 ($8)
• $1 trifecta 8 with all with 5 ($8)