What’s not to like about Malathaat?
At 0h05, on April 29, 2021 • By CHURCHILL DOWNS
One day prior to the Kentucky Derby, North America’s fastest three-year-old fillies will square off in the 147th running of the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. A full field of 14 has assembled for the 1 1/8-mile prize, led by the undefeated duo of Malathaat and Search Results.
Sold for $1.05 million as a yearling, Malathaat is undefeated in four starts and the lone Grade 1 winner in the Kentucky Oaks fieldThree-time Kentucky Oaks-winning trainer Todd Pletcher appears to have a star filly on his hands. A daughter of Curlin out of Dreaming of Julia, Malathaat was impressive in the 1 1/8-mile Demoiselle (G2) last fall, overcoming a sloppy track she didn’t relish to win by three-quarters of a length. She was just as eye-catching in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland last month, finishing very fast from behind a slow pace to win by a head. Considering the challenges Malathaat has faced, we’ve seen anything close to her best yet. If she receives a favorable setup in the Kentucky Oaks, watch out—she’ll be very tough to beat.
One of the toughest Kentucky Oaks fillies to analyze is Search Results, who has gone undefeated in three starts for four-time champion trainer Chad Brown. She’s been a star over the slow and tiring track at Aqueduct, employing pace-tracking tactics to win the Busher S. and Gazelle (G3). But Search Results has yet to defeat the toughest competition, and slow tracks like Aqueduct can be more conducive than fast tracks.
Few fillies in the Kentucky Oaks field have shown as much versatility as Travel Column. She rallied from dead last to win the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs last fall, but prepped for the Kentucky Oaks with a decisive pace-tracking victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), and this adaptability in terms of running style affords jockey Florent Geroux plenty of options for working out a favorable trip. Travel Column’s lone defeat this season came when finishing second by a neck in the Rachel Alexandra (G2), and I would argue Travel Column simply lost her focus after reaching the lead too soon. Trainer Brad Cox has won two of the last three editions of the Kentucky Oaks, so you can bet Travel Column will be primed for a peak effort at Churchill Downs. Plus, it’s worth noting the Rachel Alexandra has produced five Kentucky Oaks winners since 2010.
The race is scheduled as the 11th of 13 races on the Friday card at Churchill Downs, with a scheduled post time of 5:51 p.m. The first race at Churchill will be at 10:30 a.m.
