The Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) isn't generally considered a prep for the Travers Stakes (G1), but perhaps this year will be the exception.
Ken McPeek's multiple grade 1 winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) leads the five 3-year-old fillies entered for this year's 108th running of the CCA Oaks, scheduled as the 11th race on the July 20 card at Saratoga Race Course, and while the trainer hasn't made any decisions about where his standout filly will run next, he also hasn't ruled out any options, adding a tantalizing element to this year's renewal.
Thorpedo Anna comes to the race off three straight wins, two of them in grade 1 races—the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and the Acorn Stakes (G1). The 1-2 favorite is owned by Nader Alaali, Mark Edwards, breeder Judy B. Hicks, and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) and gets regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out two to contest the Oaks, a race that he's won eight times. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Candied is looking to get back to a graded stakes winner's circle for the first time since her victory in the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland last fall. Purchased for $165,000 as a yearling at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale, the Candy Ride filly was bred by Buck Pond Farm and will break from the inside post under Manny Franco.
Pletcher's second runner, Leslie's Rose, will break from post 4 with John Velazquez aboard. Bred by John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services, the bay filly cost $1.15 million at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, going to Whisper Hill Farm. The winner of the Ashland Stakes (G1) was distanced in the sloppy Kentucky Oaks (G1) before finishing second to Thorpedo Anna in the Acorn.
"Same as always, very consistent," said Pletcher of Leslie's Rose's recent training. "The only thing we've seen with her is that she doesn't like a wet track. Unfortunately, that's what we got in the Oaks, but she rebounded well and gave us a good race in the Acorn. She was second best on the day, but to her credit, she ran a very good race."
After days of rain, the forecast for the weekend in Saratoga looks dry.
"We need to move forward, and I think with both fillies we are in a position to do that," said Pletcher. "Sometimes strange things happen in Saratoga."
Also contesting the $500,000 CCA Oaks are grade 2 winner Intricate (Gun Runner ) and longshot Barbratina (Catholic Boy ). Intricate is trained by Brendan Walsh and owned by Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Scott Estes, and Cambron Equine. She will break from post 5 under Tyler Gaffalione. Trained by George Weaver, Barbratina gets Junior Alvarado in the saddle and drew post 2. Barbratina is owned by Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Big Tufff Stables, Steve Adkisson, and Tommy Humphries.
Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, July 20, 2024, Race 11Entries: Coaching Club American Oaks (G1)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Candied (KY) Manuel Franco 120 Todd A. Pletcher 5/2 2 2Barbratina (KY) Junior Alvarado 118 George Weaver 20/1 3 3Thorpedo Anna (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 122 Kenneth G. McPeek 1/2 4 4Leslie's Rose (KY) John R. Velazquez 122 Todd A. Pletcher 5/1 5 5Intricate (KY) Tyler Gaffalione 118 Brendan P. Walsh 8/1
