Exotics Plays for the 2025 Delaware Oaks

A well-matched field of nine three-year-old fillies will vie in Saturday’s $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3). The top trio of finishers from the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) at Pimlico on May 17 are back for more, but I am going to side elsewhere with my leading selection. 

Delaware Oaks Exotics

• $8 exacta 7 with 4,6,8 ($24)
• $2 trifecta key 7 with 4,6,8 ($12)
• $1 superfecta 7 with 4 with 6,8 with all ($12)

#7 Fondly (7-2) was a sharp debut winner at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 14 and validated her first outing with a game triumph in the subsequent Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs on March 15 for conditioner Graham Motion. The $50,000 yearling purchase was next seen in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) despite her lack of seasoning, and she was in a decent spot to the turn for home before giving way in the lane in a race that I am willing to draw a line through. 

The bay daughter of Upstart has posted a trio of morning drills on this surface in the interim, and it’s clear to me that this race has been her intended target since leaving Churchill Downs. She still has a lot of upside, in my opinion, and the filly also has the gate presence to secure a good spot while never far back in this tilt, as well. In addition, I feel that it is a major positive that Irad Ortiz, Jr. will come in to guide the top pick. 

I will use a trio of horses with my leading play, including Mike Dini’s #8 Dyna Soar (15-1). The dark bay daughter of Summer Front has displayed continued improvement with the combination of the move to the dirt and the addition of blinkers. I feel that she will give a nice account of herself in her stakes debut at a hefty number. Sonny Leon will guide the homebred. 

#4 Margie’s Intention (5-2) secured a win at Pimlico in her first with open foes and also her initial try for trainer Brad Cox. The Cajun-bred daughter of Honor A. P. has now been first or second in a handful of route races in succession, and the $185,000 two-year-old purchase could move forward again in her second appearance for this outfit. Luan Machado will ride the tactical filly. 

Shug McGaughey’s #6 Cassiar (6-1) has impressed from just a trio of tries in advance of Saturday and comes off a nice allowance win in New York over a few talented runners. By City of Light, the well-bred filly possesses a nice turn of foot, and returning to two turns seems ideal for the prospect in a field with some early pace in the mix. Jose Lezcano inherits the ride and will have the contender coming from off the pace in the affair.