Delaware Oaks preview

It's been awhile since I've done a Stakes preview, so I thought with it being the first time since 2008 that I will be attending the DE Oaks, why not do one now. Here is this year's DE Oaks field.

10th Race - Delaware Park - Saturday, July 14th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Dirt. Purse $400,000. Delaware Oaks (Grade 2). FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. By subscription of $250 each, which shall accompany the nomination, $1,000 to enter and $1,500 to start. $400,000 Guaranteed, of which $240,000 to the winner, $80,000 to second, $44,000 to third, $24,000 to fourth and $12,000 to fifth. Weight 122 lbs. Non-Winners of $90,000 at a mile or over in 2012 allowed 2 lbs., $60,000 at a mile or over in 2012, 4 lbs., $45,000 at a mile or over in 2012, 6 lbs. (Maiden, claiming and starter races not considered in estimating allowances). Trophy to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed on Monday, July 2, 2012, with 19 Nominations.ated the highest total earnings. Horses that finished first, second or third in the Go For Wand Stakes automatically earned a free nomination to the Delaware Oaks. Trophy to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. (05:45 PM) (7)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Wicked Mizz 3 F L 118 Rose Jeremy Dutrow Anthony W.
2A Singlet 3 F L 116 Castellano Javier Dutrow Anthony W.
3 Amie's Dini 3 F L 118 Court Jon Kenton Moquett Ron
4 Morrow Cove 3 F L 116 Rocco, Jr. Joseph Pletcher Todd A.
5A Grace Hall 3 F L 122 Castellano Javier Dutrow Anthony W.
6 Via Villaggio 3 F L 116 Desormeaux Kent J. Hollendorfer Jerry
7 Aubby K 3 F L 116 Prado Edgar S. Nicks Ralph E.

Singlet looks to be an just in case if Grace Hall can't. Wicked Mizz won the Go For Wand, but she isn't on the level that her stablemate is. The same can be said about Singlet. Amie's Dini is making her first start since the KY Oaks. Morrow Cove I actually saw in person as on Preakness day, but this is going to be a tough race for her. This year's KY Oaks isn't looking that great, but if Grace Hall rebounds like she can, well... she should cruise here. Via Villaggio is coming off a 3rd place finish in Hollywood Oaks. Aubby K finished 3rd in the Acorn where the 1-2 came back to finish last (Contested) and win (Zo Impressive) the Mother Goose.

This is actually a little bit of a rematch between Tony Dutrow (Wicked Mizz, Singlet and Grace Hall) and Jerry Hollendorfer (Via Villaggio), in 2010 they sent out Havre de Grace and Blind Luck respectively edition. That would lead to a solid rivalry that ended last year in the DelCap with possibly the greatest race of that rivalry.

Jockey wise, Jeremy and Joe Jr. are the locals; Kent and Edgar got their careers started in MD, but prob. rode at Delaware quite a bit, not sure how many starts Jon has at Delaware and Javiar's brother is one of the leading riders. However, they put in a new dirt surface this year (the old one was destroyed by last August's hurricane). Grace Hall broke her maiden here and won the Blue Hen for her first 2 turn race. She's my pick here because if she's on then there is no one in this field who is good enough to catch her. Via Villaggio for second and Aubby K for third.