Delaware Oaks Preview

The Delaware Oaks has been an important prep for the Alabama for years. Here is this year's field:

10th Race - Delaware Park - Saturday, July 9th, 2016
STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Dirt. Purse $300,000. Delaware Oaks (Grade 3). FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. By subscription of $100 each, which shall accompany the nomination, $1,500 to enter and $1,500 to start. $300,000 Guaranteed, of which $180,000 to the winner, $60,000 to second, $33,000 to third, $18,000 to fourth and $9,000to fifth. Weight 122 lbs. Non-Winners of $90,000 at a mile or over in 2016 allowed 2 lbs., $60,000 at a mile or over in 2016, 4 lbs., $45,000 at a mile or over in 2016, 6 lbs. (Maiden, claiming and starter races not considered in estimating allowances). Trophy to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, with 25 Nominations.in 2016. Second preference to horses which have accumulated the highest total earnings. Horses that finished first, second, third or fourth in the Our Mims Overnight Stakes earned a free nomination to the Delaware Oaks. Trophy to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. (05:45 PM)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Miss Inclusive 3 F L 116 Navarro Joshua Servis John C.
2 Browse 3 F L b 118 Prado Edgar S. McGaughey III Claude R.
3 Flora Dora 3 F L 120 Rodriguez Erick D. Coffey Marialice
4 Dark Nile 3 F L 116 Centeno Daniel Delacour Arnaud
5 A Place To Shine 3 F L 116 Pedroza Brian Mongeon Kathy P.
6 Downdraft 3 F L 116 Cruz Angel Lawrence, II James L.
7 Kinsley Kisses 3 F L 116 Cedeno Carol Pletcher Todd A.
8 Dreams To Reality 3 F L 116 Cintron Alex Dilger Michael
9 Eighth Wonder 3 F L 120 Flores Jose Luis Curry Dee

While none of these horses are the "top" horses, there are some hidden gems. Flora Dora was considered a KY Oaks contender, Miss Inclusive is from the same barn as this years winner. Dark Nile and Browse went 1-2 in the prep the Our Mims and both have good connections behind them. Kinsley Kisses trainer has some good history at Delaware and she has run well in both of her graded stakes races. Eight Wonder is undefeated, but takes a step up in class. A Place to Shine and Downdraft will need to step up their games in order to have a chance.

In the end I think Kinsley Kisses wins, she has the best back class of the group. Browse for second and Dark Nile for third.