How to bet the 2022 Indiana Oaks

An octet of three-year-old fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles in the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) on Saturday. I think that the affair will come down to a trio of contenders who I will center my plays upon.

#6 North County (5-1) has lost two in succession following a three-race winning streak to begin her career, and I will tab the Brendan Walsh trainee to return to her winning ways on Saturday. The dark bay filly notched her most important win to date when eclipsing the Untapable S. at Fair Grounds in December, and she hasn’t run terribly in a pair of stakes events since.

By Not This Time, the sophomore is training in solid fashion in advance of this tilt, and the late runner might find a contested pace for which to rally into down the lane, as well. The Kentucky-bred comes in fresh for a fine layoff barn and will be guided home by Joe Talamo.

#5 Interstatedaydream (9-5) is the obvious one to beat coming off a stout score in the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) in her most recent endeavor for conditioner Brad Cox. Daughter of Classic Empire earned a robust 102 Brisnet Speed figure for her work at Pimlico, and if she duplicates that showing, then the bay will be super tough to upend in the event. The Ontario-bred will be forwardly placed in the early stages with regular pilot Florent Geroux on board.

#7 Runaway Wife (4-1) has really found her stride since stretching out to route races for Kenny McPeek. The bay Gun Runner filly broke her maiden with a sharp score at Churchill Downs two back, prior to coming home an energetic second in a recent allowance heat under the Twin Spires. The Fern Circle homebred will stalk the pace from the break with Corey Lanerie in the controls.

Indiana Oaks Wagers

• $10 win and place #6 North County ($20)
• $3 exacta box 5,6,7 ($18)
• $3 trifecta box 5,6,7 ($18)