Greenfinch gets top billing in Dueling Grounds Oaks

Conditioner Aidan O’Brien will wheel #8 Greenfinch (8-1) back on short rest in Wednesday’s lucrative $1.6 million Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs, and I’m a big fan of the aggressive move. The Justify filly finished fourth in the deep Ladies Marathon S. (G3) over the weekend and will appreciate the drop in with her fellow sophomores in the closing-day affair. 

Oaks Wagers

• $15 win and place #8 Greenfinch ($30)
• 50-cent superfecta 8 with 2,11 with 2,3,5,11 with all ($27)

Greenfinch is out of a multiple champion and also a half-brother to a multiple champion, and she gave a solid account of herself while making her local debut most recently. The Kentucky-bred bay has been a solid performer in 2024 to this point, and she lands in a field that lacks a clear standout. John Velazquez will take the reins and the price is a generous one. 

An interesting longshot for the top three in the field to me is #11 Mo Fox Givin (12-1). One of two in the affair for trainer Mark Casse, the gray is not necessarily the winning type, but she is honest and will take a big step forward following a solid prep from off the pace in the Pucker Up (G3) at Ellis Park in a race where the early speed dominated. I feel that the Kentucky-bred will handle the move to 1 5/16 miles under the guidance of Luan Machado. 

#2 Kalispera (12-1) is another horse who will seemingly appreciate the added distance in the event. Conditioned by Brian Lynch, the Group-1 placed Irish-bred rallied for a nice third in the Pucker Up (G3) last time out and will improve on Wednesday. The bay is a one-run closer with a nice draw near the rail to save a lot of ground with Joel Rosario accepting the mount. 

Irish import #5 Siege of Troy (6-1) and Graham Motion’s #3 Yatta (15-1) will also be included in the lower rungs of the exotics.