Free American Oaks Past Performances (2018)
(Free past performances for Saturday, December 29, 2018)
Value Players Rejoice
Saturday’s $300,000 American Oaks (G1) for three-year-old fillies on the turf at Santa Anita offers plenty of opportunity for handicappers to see why it is so important to factor equipment and medication changes into the mix when handicapping. They are valuable angles.
Blinkers On, Pays Off
Trainer Neil Drysdale has two entered in the American Oaks. Californiagoldrush, who has yet to wear blinkers in any of her four career starts, has won three of four. And Kodiak West, who wore blinkers to victory last time out going 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar to notch her second lifetime win.
Richard Mandella will send out Retro wearing blinkers for the first time. Fourth behind Kodiak West last time out, Retro may find the addition of the forward focusing fixtures to her tack a way for her to make up much needed ground from her heretofore back of the pack positions. But it’s no guarantee. And with an 0 for 4 record at Santa Anita on turf, it may be reaching just a little too far to think that the blinkers will have the same effect on her — at least this time around.
Lasix, Too
In North America, it’s acceptable to administer Lasix on raceday. But in Europe, it isn’t. So when Amandine made her North American debut at Del Mar last month, trainer Jeff Mullins sent her out under the influence of Lasix. And she stormed home a winner. She’ll make her second start on the West Coast on Saturday with a new rider. And like Colonia, and Kodiak West, who also started their careers in Europe and have become different horses with the addition of Lasix, she’ll be able to breathe in the West Coast winds that roll in from the Pacific Ocean with each new start in Southern California. And anyone of them can win.
Free American Oaks PPs
Free past performances for the American Oaks (2018) brought to you by DRF.com
