While the sophomore males scuffled inconclusively last weekend, a couple of well-credentialed fillies stayed right on track for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (USA-I). Unique Bella, fresh from a laugher in the Las Virgenes Stakes (USA-II), tacked on another sixteenth of a mile and brushed off a challenge from fellow Grade I winner Abel Tasman to score handily in the Santa Ysabel Stakes (USA-III), while Miss Sky Warrior picked up her fourth consecutive win and third consecutive graded stakes triumph in the Davona Dale Stakes (USA-II) at Gulfstream Park).
The chances of these two talented young distaffers meeting up prior to the Oaks is minuscule, as Unique Bella will likely remain on the West Coast and make her next start in the Santa Anita Oaks (USA-I) on April 8. Miss Sky Warrior's next dance has yet to be decided, but the logical targets would be either the TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (USA-II) on April 1 or the Fantasy Stakes (USA-III) at Oaklawn Park on April 14. Both races carry a purse of US$400,000, and either could put Miss Sky Warrior on a collision course with the current queen of the Fair Grounds, Farrell. At this point, Farrell seems more likely for the former race, but anything can happen with young Thoroughbreds, and it is always possible that a hiccup in Farrell's training might send her to Oaklawn instead.
Most likely, Miss Sky Warrior's connections will choose her next start based more on how her training is progressing than on the possible competition, for the daughter of Claiborne stallion First Samurai has no reason to be ducking anyone based on her resume. As the winner of the Demoiselle Stakes (USA-II) last November, she already has a win at the full Oaks distance of 9 furlongs, and she will likely emerge from the Davona Dale (her first outing since the Demoiselle) as a much fitter and sharper filly than the one who seemed to be getting a little leg-weary in deep stretch.
As for Unique Bella, while Jerry Hollendorfer might like to be seeing a little more maturity from her, neither he nor anyone else is likely to fault her competitive instincts after watching her bull her way to the front in the early going, then find another gear when Abel Tasman came to her. If all three of this season's star fillies continue taking care of business along the way, this year's Kentucky Oaks is going to be a race to watch indeed.
The chances of these two talented young distaffers meeting up prior to the Oaks is minuscule, as Unique Bella will likely remain on the West Coast and make her next start in the Santa Anita Oaks (USA-I) on April 8. Miss Sky Warrior's next dance has yet to be decided, but the logical targets would be either the TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (USA-II) on April 1 or the Fantasy Stakes (USA-III) at Oaklawn Park on April 14. Both races carry a purse of US$400,000, and either could put Miss Sky Warrior on a collision course with the current queen of the Fair Grounds, Farrell. At this point, Farrell seems more likely for the former race, but anything can happen with young Thoroughbreds, and it is always possible that a hiccup in Farrell's training might send her to Oaklawn instead.
Most likely, Miss Sky Warrior's connections will choose her next start based more on how her training is progressing than on the possible competition, for the daughter of Claiborne stallion First Samurai has no reason to be ducking anyone based on her resume. As the winner of the Demoiselle Stakes (USA-II) last November, she already has a win at the full Oaks distance of 9 furlongs, and she will likely emerge from the Davona Dale (her first outing since the Demoiselle) as a much fitter and sharper filly than the one who seemed to be getting a little leg-weary in deep stretch.
As for Unique Bella, while Jerry Hollendorfer might like to be seeing a little more maturity from her, neither he nor anyone else is likely to fault her competitive instincts after watching her bull her way to the front in the early going, then find another gear when Abel Tasman came to her. If all three of this season's star fillies continue taking care of business along the way, this year's Kentucky Oaks is going to be a race to watch indeed.
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