Monmouth Oaks

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Seven three-year-old fillies have been entered in Saturday's $150,000

Monmouth Oaks (G3) over the Oceanport, New Jersey, track, and ACOMA (Empire

Maker) looks to return to the winner's circle on the class drop. The David

Carroll-trained bay missed in her debut on March 13, but proceeded to take her

next three, including the Dogwood S. (G3) going the Monmouth Oaks' distance of 8

1/2 furlongs. She returned off that May 31 event to tackle some of the best in

her division in the 10-furlong Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) last out and was

no threat late. Acoma probably needed that one off the break and will likely

show much more here while reverting in distance. Elvis Trujillo picks up the

mount.

AFRICAN VIOLET (Lemon Drop Kid) was a front-running winner of the Polly's Jet

S. going 1 1/16 miles, then finished second in her next two, the Susan's Girl S.

and Delaware Oaks (G2). In that latter event, the chestnut miss was just three

parts of a length back on the line after leading in the stretch and earned a 102

BRIS Late Pace rating. She's been training well for conditioner Graham Motion

and could get the job done here under Eddie Castro.

MAREN'S MEADOW (Meadowlake) won the Bourbonette Oaks (G3) over Turfway Park's

Polytrack in late March but threw in a bomb when distanced in the Black-Eyed

Susan S. (G2) in her next one. She came back to be fourth in the Delaware Oaks,

leading during the early part of the race before tiring late, and could improve

in this spot with that one under her girth. Terry Thompson has the call.

OPEN SKIES (Defrere) had a two-race win streak broken when trying the turf

for the first time in the Staybridge Suites S. one week ago, but ran well to

take second in that event. The Tim Hills trainee will challenge for the early

lead here and could forget to stop under Jose Lezcano. WHIRLIE BERTIE (Stormin

Fever) has won her past three by a total of 12 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs

and could surprise in her stakes debut under Calvin Borel. Don't discount the

dark bay filly.

POPULIST (Fusaichi Pegasus) has won her past two and could earn a share here,

especially if the track comes up muddy. PHILLY GAL (Doneraile Court) has been

well-beaten by stakes rivals in the past and we don't see her doing any better

in this spot.