The 150th Longines Kentucky Oaks is still six months away, but several possible contenders have already emerged. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (USA-G1) winner and likely American champion juvenile filly Just F Y I is one; Del Mar Debutante Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tamara, now known to have been compromised by injury when finishing up the track in the Juvenile Fillies, is another, and there are several other fillies that flashed significant talent during the 2023 racing seaosn. On November 25, Intricate joined that number with a strong victory in the Golden Rod Stakes (USA-G2) at Churchill Downs, powering home by 3½ lengths in the 8.5 furlong test. Adding to the impression made by the win, she galloped out strongly afterward, suggesting that another sixteenth of a mile should be no problem at all.
Intricate is a daughter of 2017 American Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who has led his crop of American sires for three consecutive years and is currently third on the American general sire list. Bred by LBD Stable, she is the first foal of the winning Distorted Humor mare Complex Analysis. The American champion broodmare sire of 2017, Distorted Humor currently stands ninth on the list of maternal grandsires, putting him in line for his seventh appearance among the top 10.
Complex Analysis is a full sister to Grade 3-placed listed stakes winner Abraham and a half sister to Groton Circle (by Mr. Greeley), dam of 2018 Pegasus Stakes (USA-L) winner Supreme Aura (by Candy Ride). The siblings are out of Tabarin (by 2002 American champion sire El Prado), a half sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Miss Isella (by Silver Charm), 2003 Arkansas Derby (USA-G2) winner Sir Cherokee, and multiple listed stakes winner Guam Typhoon (by Distorted Humor). Tabarin is also a half sister to multiple Grade 3-placed Lady Linda (by Torrential), dam of 2013 Preis der Diana-Deutches Stuten Derby (German Oaks, GER-G1) winner Penelopa (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of English listed stakes winner Pennymoor, by Frankel) and multiple European listed stakes winner Lajoscha (by Gleneagles).
Tabarin, in turn, is out of Irish-bred La Cucina, whose sire Last Tycoon upset the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) and was champion sprinter in England and France that year, La Cucina is a half sister to Group 2-placed listed stakes winner Ocean Air (by Elegant Air) and is out of the stakes-placed Grey Dawn II mare Fandangerina, a half sister to stakes winner Cordial Prince (by Cornish Prince). The female family traces back to Shy Dancer, whose other descendants include 1980 American champion 2-year-old filly and 1981 Kentucky Oaks victress Heavenly Cause, 2012 Canadian champion turf male Riding the River, and 1991 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Opening Verse. Generally speaking, this has been a family whose members have shown improvement from age 2 to age 3 and beyond, so provided that Intricate can stay sound and healthy, she should be one to watch between now and next May.
Intricate is a daughter of 2017 American Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who has led his crop of American sires for three consecutive years and is currently third on the American general sire list. Bred by LBD Stable, she is the first foal of the winning Distorted Humor mare Complex Analysis. The American champion broodmare sire of 2017, Distorted Humor currently stands ninth on the list of maternal grandsires, putting him in line for his seventh appearance among the top 10.
Complex Analysis is a full sister to Grade 3-placed listed stakes winner Abraham and a half sister to Groton Circle (by Mr. Greeley), dam of 2018 Pegasus Stakes (USA-L) winner Supreme Aura (by Candy Ride). The siblings are out of Tabarin (by 2002 American champion sire El Prado), a half sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Miss Isella (by Silver Charm), 2003 Arkansas Derby (USA-G2) winner Sir Cherokee, and multiple listed stakes winner Guam Typhoon (by Distorted Humor). Tabarin is also a half sister to multiple Grade 3-placed Lady Linda (by Torrential), dam of 2013 Preis der Diana-Deutches Stuten Derby (German Oaks, GER-G1) winner Penelopa (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of English listed stakes winner Pennymoor, by Frankel) and multiple European listed stakes winner Lajoscha (by Gleneagles).
Tabarin, in turn, is out of Irish-bred La Cucina, whose sire Last Tycoon upset the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) and was champion sprinter in England and France that year, La Cucina is a half sister to Group 2-placed listed stakes winner Ocean Air (by Elegant Air) and is out of the stakes-placed Grey Dawn II mare Fandangerina, a half sister to stakes winner Cordial Prince (by Cornish Prince). The female family traces back to Shy Dancer, whose other descendants include 1980 American champion 2-year-old filly and 1981 Kentucky Oaks victress Heavenly Cause, 2012 Canadian champion turf male Riding the River, and 1991 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Opening Verse. Generally speaking, this has been a family whose members have shown improvement from age 2 to age 3 and beyond, so provided that Intricate can stay sound and healthy, she should be one to watch between now and next May.
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