Re: Cnl 7/16: The Virginia Oaks (505 Views)
Posted by: (IP Logged)
Date: July 14, 2005 01:59PM
Rich in Spirit looks like the obvious favorite and deserves to be. I doubt there will be any value on her and I don't see any obvious flaws that make me want to bet against her.
Dynamist ran pretty fast as a 2YO which would leave some room for better. Seems to be improving since running a few mediocre races. Could be set for a new top.
Masseuse is another that's likely to improve further.
My Typhoon is probably the most interesting to me. Her two losses came against Melhor Ainda, who is probably on her way to becoming a terror (now Grade 1 placed) and who would be the favorite here. In her last, the pace was slow early but it picked up and got hotter in the middle. She put away Paddy's Daisey's when challenged (who is a pretty decent and consistent Pletcher horse) and held OK in a very fast last 1/8th. Well bred, lightly raced, great barn and improving. If she can avoid losing too much ground, she might be underrated a bit.