Not surprisingly, Rachel Alexander is the top ranked Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner on the BRIS Prime Power ratings with just one rival within ten points of her. She has looked dominant in her last four wins and handled a sloppy track when easily winning the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) two starts back. Her main opposition should be Justwhistledixie who is riding a five race win streak and the Fair Grounds Oaks runner-up, Flying Spur, who are second and third on the Prime Power.
The star attraction of the Oaks undercard is, without doubt, Zenyatta who will make her seasonal debut in Race 7, the Louisville s. (G2). Like Rachel Alexandra it is little surprise that the undefeated Zenyatta is top ranked on the Prime Power Ratings, but in this case the margin is somewhat narrower. Indeed, last year's Champion Older Mare holds an advantage of just over one point ahead of the also unbeaten One Caroline. While most will be pulling for Zenyatta to extend her winning streak to ten, it may be a hard task for her to beat One Caroline as that rival's early pace figures are superior to the whole field. In addition, Zenyatta has not been faced thus far with an off track while One Caroline handed a surface labeled "good" in her last start and her BRIS pedigree rating, as found in the Ultimate Past Performances, for an off track is superior to that of Zenyatta.
The morning line favorite on the morning line for the American Turf S. (G3) on the turf is Stormalory who earned the best BRIS Late Pace figure of the field with a big closing run to win the Transylvania s. (G3) over the yielding turf at Keeneland last month. Also owning good late pace is the top Prime Power rated Battle of Hastings who ships from California but had previously won twice on soft ground in England. If anyone is to give these late-runners the slip it may be Turfiste who owns the best early pace figures and is also top in the Current Class category as seen in the BRIS Ultimate Summary.
Macho Again, who closed strongly to win the New Orleans H. (G2) impressively last time out over a sloppy track, is the morning line favorite and top ranked Prime Power runner in the Alysheba S.(G3). Macho Again will be running late but may not catch the in-form Dr. Pleasure who is second ranked on the Prime Power and has the best "E2", or second call, pace ratings and figures to rate just off the early pace.
Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies third place finisher, Laragh may go to post as the favorite for the Edgewood S. as she attempts to rebound from a disappointing last place finish on the dirt at Aqueduct. She will appreciate the return to turf but is only ranked third in the Prime Power ratings. Top ranked is Magical Affair who has won her last two races and is also top rated in the Current Class category and is an attractive 5/1 on the morning line
Chamberlain Bridge rates best in several categories in the Ultimate Race Summary and will attempt to make it a perfect three-for-three over the Churchill turf with a front running effort in the Turf Sprint (G3). The biggest threat to Chamberlain Bridge, who is top on the Prime Power rankings, may be second ranked Smart Enough who has won 8 of his 13 races at this distance on the grass.
Official Kentucky Derby handicapping reports now online at Brisnet.com - Wizard, Ultimate PPs and much more - click here