Kentucky Oaks Profile: Ava's Grace
Ava's Grace has been installed as a 50-1 shot for the Kentucky Oaks. Our in-house handicapper and turf-man both take a look at her chances of winning the 2021 Oaks and you can get full details of all 14-man filly field below.
They have previewed the entire field so to check out all their thoughts on the 14 three-year-old fillies then click on the Gold Kentucky Oaks 2021 button whereupon you'll be taken to our Oaks Home Page with all the profiles listed...
- Post Position
- Horse
- Morning Line Odds
- Jockey
- Trainer
Post Position
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- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
- 8.
- 9.
- 10.
- 11.
- 12.
- 13.
- 14.
Horse
- Pauline's Pearl
- Maracuja
- Clairiere
- Crazy Beautiful
- Pass the Champagne
- Travel Column
- Ava's Grace
- Moraz
- Coach
- Malathaat
- Will's Secret
- Search Results
- Competitive Speed
- Millefeuille
Morning Line Odds
- 20-1
- 20-1
- 5-1
- 15-1
- 15-1
- 3-1
- 50-1
- 30-1
- 50-1
- 5-2fav
- 30-1
- 3-1
- 50-1
- 20-1
Jockey
- Ricardo Santana Jr.
- Kendrick Carmouche
- Tyler Gaffalione
- Jose Ortiz
- Javier Castellano
- Florent Geroux
- David Cohen
- Umberto Rispoli
- Luis Saez
- John Velazquez
- Jon Court
- Irad Ortiz
- Chris Linderos
- Joel Rosario
Trainer
- Steve Asmussen
- Rob Atras
- Steve Asmussen
- Kenny McPeek
- George Weaver
- Brad Cox
- Robertino Diodoro
- Michael McCarthy
- Brad Cox
- Todd Pletcher
- Dallas Stewart
- Chad Brown
- Javier Gonzalez
- Bill Mott
Sean's Take...
Even considering her trainer Robertino Diodoro’s prowess at Oaklawn Park, this one was a stunning addition to the field, which came via a runner-up finish in the G2 Fantasy in Hot Springs. The Fantasy marked her first start around two turns, so it’s possible this daughter of Laoban just wanted more ground all along, however I have a hard time putting much stock in the 87 Beyer Speed Figure she earned that day, which would seem to put her in the mix in the Oaks. Even if that number is legitimate, I don’t think it’s going to be repeatable outside of Oaklawn, at least not for the time being, and Ava’s Grace is probably just pace fodder in this spot.
J.N's Take...
Robertino Diodoro, a Candian-born trainer, has risen through the ranks to found a powerful stable, first in Arizona, then along the axis of Oaklawn-Churchill Downs. He has this nice filly coming out of the Fantasy (G3), where she finished 2nd. She was only 1-length back in that event in the end, after leading most of the way. Though that is not necessarily what you want to see coming into a Grade I, it reflects some hope.
The offspring of Laoban have some serious capability, and he is a rising sire. Running in Hot Springs makes for some great opportunities to rise swiftly through the class ranks. Diodoro has used David Cohen as his house rider, and he is going back to him in this spot. It will not be easy, considering who has drawn in here. If you are looking for a major price, this one is a great option at what most certainly will be double-digit odds. Grade: C+