Virginia Oaks J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A near-capacity field of 11 sophomore fillies will contest Saturday's

$150,000 Virginia Oaks (G3) at Colonial Downs, and three of the top contenders

are stuck in outside posts. OH SO NICE (Smart Strike) is nicely drawn in post 3

with Julien Leparoux, and we'll tab the Jonathon Sheppard trainee for top

honors.

Runner-up in her last two starts versus allowance rivals, Oh So Nice earned

solid BRIS numbers for those efforts and should appreciate the switch back to

turf. She's never been farther than a mile, but the chestnut is bred to relish

longer distances on the sod and won't be making her stakes bow in a difficult

spot. We'll look for her to save ground along the inside before rallying to the

win.

EXCELENTE (Ire) (Exceed and Excel), who is cross-entered to Saturday's

Arlington Oaks (G3), merits serious consideration if she opts for this race. The

Irish import has offered a run in each of her three starts on U.S. soil for

Darrin Miller and registered a 106 BRIS Late Pace rating for her narrow

runner-up effort in the American One Thousand Guineas two back. The bay filly

figures to offer another strong showing from off the pace here.

KATARA (Pulpit) ran away from her rivals in an off-the-turf allowance at

Delaware Park last out and will make her stakes debut here. The Michael Matz

runner didn't perform well in her lone previous turf attempt, but we're willing

to overlook that effort and will look for an improved showing this time around.

She's bred to be a good one on turf, with half-brother Walkslikeaduck (Blushing

John) winning the 2000 Del Mar Derby (G2), and has always earned solid BRIS Late

Pace ratings. At 15-1 on the morning line, the chestnut could crash the top

three at a nice price.

SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly Perfect) ran well when making her turf bow in the

Perfect Sting S. at Belmont Park last out, missing by 2 3/4 lengths in third

after being forced to alter course in the stretch, and she's a candidate to keep

moving forward for Graham Motion. Edgar Prado picks up the mount on the

dangerous bay lass, but Shared Account must overcome the extreme outside post.

We'll use her on the bottom of our gimmicks.

FAST TIGRESS (Hold That Tiger) is another one with solid credentials, but the

John Kimmel-trained chestnut has missed the board in her last two outings. The

Grade 3-placed filly might find this spot more to her liking, and she's

displayed a fine late kick in all six starts this season. Tyler Baze will pick

up the mount and break from post 9 aboard the gimmicks contender. BLIND DATE

(Not for Love) captured the Hilltop S. two starts back but didn't fire when

stepping up in class last time in the Boiling Springs (G3). This spot doesn't

look as difficult, but we're not thrilled about backing her at this distance

from post 10. Consider for a minor award.

COMBINATE (Volponi) is an allowance winner over the course and will bring a

two-race win skein into this event, but the Maryland-based shipper looks

vulnerable going nine furlongs at this level. SUPER PONI (Volponi) is well-drawn

on the inside and owns plenty of stakes experience, but the dark bay miss has

failed to hit the board in her last five outings. We'll let her beat us.

GLORIOUS DEAL (Rahy) shows a decent effort over the course against lesser

company, but we'll just watch to see how the former claimer handles her stakes

debut. SPANISH WEDDING (Spanish Steps) exits a dull sprint effort over the

course, and she probably needs an easier spot to be competitive. FIVE DIAMONDS

(Flatter) has serious class concerns and has never raced on turf.