Trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. are teaming up once more in the hopes of producing Kentucky Oaks (G1) glory. But first, they need to qualify for the May 2 contest at Churchill Downs. That opportunity comes March 15 in the $250,000 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.
That's where Gowells Delight comes into the picture. The 3-year-old Practical Joke filly will need a little help, as only the top 14 points earners qualify for the Kentucky Oaks. Gowells Delight sits 21st with 16.5 points. The 14th-ranked horse is in a six-way tie with 20 points. The Virginia Oaks awards points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers.
The morning-line favorite at 3-1, Gowells Delight would greatly enhance her chances of running under the twin spires with a win Saturday.
However, McPeek said he may skip the Virginia Oaks and instead opt for the March 22 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), which offers points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale, as an opportunity to really test his filly.
"We're just trying to figure out how to get her to the Kentucky Oaks," McPeek said. "She's always trained like a really good horse, but she's going to need to find another level to beat Good Cheer."
Good Cheer is the undefeated Godolphin homebred who many believe is the favorite for the Kentucky Oaks.
After breaking her maiden the day after Christmas at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the filly struggled a bit after a strong start in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park to kick off her 3-year-old campaign.
After having Hernandez's younger brother Colby in the irons for her first two starts, the elder Hernandez took over in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2). Back at Fair Grounds, Gowells Delight set the tone early but could not resist the late charge of Good Cheer and finished second.
If her most recent work is any indication, McPeek has Gowells Delight primed for the Virginia Oaks or Fair Grounds Oaks. She posted a bullet four-furlong breeze at Fair Grounds March 9 in :47 3/5.
Should she not run in Virginia, McPeek has another contender, Anonima. Her name means Anonymous in Spanish, and should she win Saturday, she will definitely be known.
She's coming off a sixth-place finish in the Honeybee Stakes (G3), but McPeek liked what he saw from her in that race and thinks the 1 1/16-mile Virginia Oaks might be more to her liking.
"I liked her last race because she ran well, considering a bit of a speed bias race track," McPeek said. "And I think if we could get a racetrack that played a little fairer, then she can get all or a part of that one in Virginia."
Rounding out the field for the Virginia Oaks are Early On, Fondly, Girl Math, Icona Mama, Low Key, and You'll Be Back.
Colonial Downs, Saturday, March 15, 2025, Race 8Entries: Virginia Oaks
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Icona Mama (PA) John R. Velazquez 122 Flint W. Stites 8/1 2 2Low Key (KY) Sheldon Russell 122 Thomas M. Amoss 10/1 3 3Gowells Delight (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 122 Kenneth G. McPeek 3/1 4 4Anonima (KY) Colby J. Hernandez 122 Kenneth G. McPeek 6/1 5 5Early On (NY) Flavien Prat 122 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 8/1 6 6You'll Be Back (KY) Javier Castellano 122 Thomas M. Amoss 9/2 7 7Girl Math (KY) Luan Machado 122 Rodolphe Brisset 5/1 8 8Fondly (KY) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 122 H. Graham Motion 7/2
