Magic Circle ships south for Fantasy

Mar 28, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Saturday's $600,000 Fantasy S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park would have been ripe for
the taking by Secret Oath. But with that filly entered instead in the Arkansas
Derby (G1) later in the card, the Fantasy not only attracted a few additional
faces, but likely gave others a better chance at earning qualifying points
toward the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Magic Circle invades from New York, where she's been a consistent
player in stakes throughout the winter at Aqueduct. Beaten a length by major
Oaks contenders Nest and Venti Valentine in the Demoiselle (G2) in December,
Magic Circle returned to win the nine-furlong Busanda S. in wire-to-wire fashion
by 2 3/4 lengths.

Shortened up to mile for the Busher S. last time, Magic Circle regressed a
bit when finishing well behind Venti Valentine in third. At her best thus far
around two turns, Magic Circle will be saddled for the first time by Steve
Asmussen, who has won four of the past six editions of the Fantasy.

Eda is the probable favorite in the Fantasy having won five of her
seven career starts, including the Starlet (G1) and Santa Ysabel (G3) in her
last two. One of several in the field likely to show speed, she is ineligible to
earn Oaks points due to trainer Bob Baffert's current suspension from racing at
Churchill Downs.

Dream Lith, who captured the Golden Rod (G2) over Yuugiri last
November, looks to rebound off a dull season debut in the Rachel Alexandra (G2),
in which she finished a mid-pack sixth. Yuugiri enters off a third in the
Honeybee (G3), but finished more than nine lengths behind Secret Oath in that
track-and-distance prep.

Trainer Brad Cox has entered a couple fillies that might take some betting
action. Bubble Rock has raced exclusively on grass and Tapeta to this
point, but through six starts has captured both the Matron (G3) and Cincinnati
Trophy S. Mariah's Fortune was second best in a Fair Grounds allowance
last time, but romped by eight lengths when graduating at Oaklawn on Dec. 17.

Heartyconstitution, a half-sister to the Grade 3-winning sprinter
Chateau, steps up and stretches out after a 2 3/4-length maiden win last month
going six furlongs for Joe Sharp.

The Fantasy offers Kentucky Oaks qualifying points of 1000-40-20-10 to the
respective top four finishers. Post time is 6:16 p.m. ET and it can be watched
and wagered on at
TwinSpires.com.