Kentucky Oaks spots up for grabs in Davona Dale, Busher
Mar 02, 2022
Two three-year-old fillies will essentially clinch a spot in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Saturday with victories in the $200,000 Davona Dale S.
(G2) at Gulfstream Park and the $250,000 Busher S. at Aqueduct.
The Davona Dale and Busher, which are both run over a one-turn mile, offer
Kentucky Oaks qualifying points of 50-20-10-5 to the respective top four
finishers.
The Davona Dale is a contentious affair that's attracted a field of seven.
Girl With a Dream, who has won three in a row including the seven-furlong Forward Gal (G3), is the most accomplished filly in the field and the one to
catch on the front end. However, if challenged early over a distance which she
has not yet run, she could prove vulnerable against some talented stalkers and
closers.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Classy Edition convincingly won all three
starts as a juvenile against New York-bred company. The daughter of Classic
Empire was an easy winner of two state-bred stakes and can handle any condition.
Another undefeated filly is Kathleen O., a track-and-distance winner
of the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. by more than eight lengths. Outfoxed enters off
three stakes wins in a row, while the stakes-winning Sweet Dani Girl and
stakes-placed Cocktail Moments have credentials to earn a slice or more.
Radio Days, the Forward Gal runner-up, should find the extra furlong
useful in the Busher. The Shug McGaughey-trained daughter of Gun Runner won her
two previous starts in New York late last year, including an allowance over the
Aqueduct strip by 8 1/2 lengths.
The Busher field of six includes Venti Valentine, runner-up by a neck to Nest in the Demoiselle (G2) when last seen in early December. Not far behind
that pair that day was Magic Circle, subsequently a gate-to-wire winner
of the nine-furlong Busanda S. over Morning Matcha.
Stretching out in distance is Sterling Silver, 2-for-2 following a
stakes win against New York-breds last out. Breaking from the inside is
Shotgun Hottie, victorious in the Feb. 6 Ruthless S. in her debut for
trainer Bill Morey.
Post time for the Davona Dale is 2:40 p.m. ET, while the Busher goes off at
4:57 p.m. Both races can be watched and wagered on at
TwinSpires.com.
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