Saratoga Oaks Value Plays for Aug. 7

The Sunday feature at Saratoga is the lucrative $700,000 Saratoga Oaks (G3). Contested at 1 3/16 miles on the Mellon turf course, the affair for sophomore fillies attracted a strong field of six, with three hailing from the ever-dangerous barn of Chad Brown. I believe that the morning-line choices will be formidable in the contest, but value can still be had in the vertical gimmicks.

#3 With the Moonlight (5-2) gave a nice impression of herself when second in the Belmont Oaks (G1) while making her stateside debut last time out. Conditioned by Charlie Appleby, the high-class daughter of Frankel was part of a swift pace most recently but still gamely held on to be runner-up, and she figures to receive a more favorable voyage on Sunday.

The Godolphin homebred is the pace of the race this time around and figures to establish more sensible splits while on top soon after the break. With the Moonlight will be tough to corral in the stretch with regular pilot William Buick coming in to ride.

Brown’s #2 McKulick (8-5) proved that running 10 furlongs was no problem when driving home a decisive winner of the Belmont Oaks in her latest venture. By Frankel, the Klaravich colorbearer has yet to register a subpar race in her lifetime, and it’s a big bonus that she broke her maiden on debut in her lone prior try at the Spa, as well.

The three-year-old bay possesses a strong turn of foot, though she is not likely to receive the dream journey that unfolded for her last time out. Nonetheless, she rates a major chance with Irad Ortiz Jr. back in the stirrups.

#6 Oakhurst (10-1) will need a major step forward to challenge the top pair in this tilt, but she gives me the impression of a filly who is sitting on her best effort to date. The daughter of Mr Speaker has fine current form with two wins and a second from three tries this season, and I loved her prep for this event when a smart second in the Wild Applause S. over one mile at Belmont.

The Kentucky-bred could appreciate the added ground of this heat and will sit a bit closer to the pace from the start. Joel Rosario inherits the ride atop the exotics contender.

Saratoga Oaks Value Wagers

• $30 trifecta 3 with 2 with 6 ($30)
• $15 trifecta 2 with 3 with 6 ($15)
• $2 trifecta 2,3 with 6 with 2,3 ($4)