Two-horse race looms in Indiana Oaks

An octet of fillies will take aim on the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) on Saturday night. I see this as a two-horse affair and will play it aggressively.

#1 MOLECULES (30-1) – Local hopeful is a nose shy of being unbeaten from three starts. Longshot will be sent from the rail as the potential leader early on but faces a big class test today.

#2 HAYNESFEST (12-1) – Speedy Tom Amoss trainee has finished second with starter allowance foes in two in succession. Chestnut would need a hefty step forward under Alex Canchari.

#3 HARBOR LIGHTS (6-1) – Steve Asmussen pupil is unraced since the spring and returns today. Chestnut daughter of Shackleford was trounced in her two previous graded outings and might need one off the bench.

#4 DIAMONDCOAT (12-1) – Gemologist filly was an allowance winner on this strip last time. Kellyn Gorder trainee might add to the pace of the race but she has yet to show the class to belong at this level.

#5 TALE VEUVE TO ME (1-1) – Rodolphe Brisset trainee was a huge second to the mighty Monomoy Girl in the Acorn (G1) on Belmont Day. Dark bay daughter of Violence stayed the one-turn mile well last time and is the class of the cast. Julien Leparoux will guide the dual graded-stakes placed Kentucky-bred.

#6 KELLY’S HUMOR (8-1) – Interesting stakes heroine was a closing second in a Churchill allowance that might serve as a good prep for today. Grade-2 placed filly is winless in six straight, but she looms as a sure top-three contender.

#7 SKEPTIC (5-1) – Win contender is getting good currently, scoring in two straight in advance of today. Rusty Arnold charge makes her stakes debut with Brian Hernandez. Improving lass will be coming from off the pace.

#8 FIGARELLAS QUEEN (6-1) – One of two for Brad Cox draws widest in the affair. Daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was a smart allowance winner over elders most recently. She could peak in a third run since joining this potent barn.

Analysis

The race has a lot of pace to the inside. I expect a pretty good tempo early with the late-running types having some targets in the stretch.

Talk Veuve To Me is the sure one to beat. Filly was more than four lengths clear of third in the Acorn. She has pace, class and form.

If there is one cause for concern, it is the fact that the favorite has yet to go two turns.

Skeptic has evolved of late and I love the direction she is headed. Tiznow filly displayed a sharp turn of foot last time and could sit a fine trip today. Bay is proven going this distance and has a real upset chance in my opinion.

Wager

$30 Exacta: 5-7 ($30)

$10 Exacta: 7-5 ($10)

$1 Superfecta part-wheel: 5,7 with 5,7 with 6,8 with all ($20)

$1 Superfecta part-wheel: 5,7 with 5,7 with all with 6,8 ($20)