Spot Plays for 2019 Kentucky Oaks Day

An excellent 13-race card will be hosted by Churchill Downs on Friday, led by the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1). With the expectation of a wet surface, I have tabbed a few long shot contenders who will move forward on a moisture-laden main strip. RACE 3 BLAME THE FROG (#7) (12-1) broke her maiden at Churchill Downs last summer in the slop. The Ben Colebrook charge might be peaking third time off the layoff beneath John Velazquez. RACE 7 – ALYSHEBA STAKES (G2) Grade 3 winner INSTILLED REGARD (#6) (8-1) draws into a tough field with the turf-to-dirt move for Chad Brown. The Arch colt was a closing fourth in the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1) over a sloppy, sealed oval, and he could be overlooked in the field. RACE 11 – KENTUCKY OAKS (G1) OUT FOR A SPIN (#1) (15-1), my top pick for the Oaks, is two-for-two on wet surfaces for trainer Dallas Stewart. The Ashland Stakes (G1) heroine could splash by them all with a good voyage under Irad Ortiz Jr. RACE 12 BLUE EYED GIRL (#9) (15-1) is by Super Saver, a solid wet-track sire who won the 2010 Kentucky Derby over a sloppy oval. The Barbara Minshall trainee has early speed and room for improvement second time off the shelf under jockey Luis Saez. RACE 13 Rockingham Ranch’s BARRACUDA (#13) (12-1) brought $170,000 as a two-year-old in training last spring and debuts in this spot for Peter Miller. The Graydar filly shows a bullet gate drill in preparation of her first outing, and the gray lass has a very good wet-track pedigree. The post is tough but Miller will have the sophomore ready. CLUB CAR (#12) (15-1) is also an intriguing player in the finale with John Velazquez aboard. The Malibu Moon filly chased lone speed before tiring to third at Keeneland on debut for trainer Ben Colebrook. The Kentucky-bred will move up having one under her belt, and she should also thrive over wet going. PHOTO: Churchill Downs (c) Coady Photography/Churchill Downs