Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Feb. 10, 2020

Stay up to speed on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with a weekly roundup of all the latest news and developments:

Changes on the Leaderboard

Just how fast is Venetian Harbor? A 10 3/4-length maiden winner at Santa Anita, the daughter of Munnings brought her record on dirt to a perfect 2-for-2 with a powerful 9 1/4-length romp in Saturday’s one-mile Las Virgenes (G2) at Santa Anita. Conditioned by Richard Baltas, Venetian Harbor secured 10 qualification points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, debuting in 10th place on the leaderboard.

On the same afternoon, but some 2,100 miles away, Sandpiper S. winner Lucrezia successfully stepped up in class and distance for the 1-mile and 40-yard Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. The daughter of Into Mischief handled these obstacles without issue, pressing the pace before pulling away to score by five lengths. The Arnaud Delacour-trained filly earned 10 Kentucky Oaks qualification to place 11th on the leaderboard.

On the Work Tab

British Idiom: Wrapped up her preparations for the Rachel Alexandra (G2) by breezing 4 furlongs in a quick :48.60 on Sunday at Fair Grounds.

Finite: Inadvance of a showdown with British Idiom in the Rachel Alexandra, Finite clocked a half-mile on Sunday at Fair Grounds, getting the distance in :49.80.

Perfect Alibi: The Spinaway (G1) winner continued on the comeback trail with a half-mile in :50.10 on Wednesday at the Casse Training Center.

Ursula: Narrowly beaten in the Silverbulletday S., Ursula returned to the work tab with a half-mile in :48.20 on Saturday at Fair Grounds. She’ll face British Idiom and Finite in the Rachel Alexandra.

Wicked Whisper: The Frizette (G1) winner picked up the pace in her third workout of the year, clocking 5 furlongs in 1:01 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Looking Ahead

The Kentucky Oaks Championship Series kicks off on Saturday with the 1 1/16-mile Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds, in which reigning champion 2-year-old filly British Idiom will square off against three-time stakes winner Finite. With 85 qualification points on the line, including 50 to the winner, this battle for early Kentucky Oaks favoritism is a race you won’t want to miss.