Horse Betting World

Portland Meadows Oaks has Extra Significance this Year

By Aaron Huber

The Portland Meadows Oaks for three-year-old fillies is enjoying renewed relevance thanks to a purse boost and as an initial leg in the Black-Eyed Susan 2.2 bonus program.

This one-mile dirt race has a purse of $80,000, and while that might not sound too impressive – it is the largest purse offered by Portland Meadows for any race since 1987. According to the Black-Eyed Susan 2.2 program if the winner of this race goes on to win the Santa Anita Oaks, Gulfstream Park Oaks, and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in succession the winning connections will get a $2.2 million dollar bonus.

This year’s running of the Portland Meadows Oaks features mostly local horses with some California shippers thrown in the mix. So it’s shaping up to be a battle between the locals and the ‘classier’ horses from out of town.

1 Renaissance Queen 4/1

Making her first start around two turns, Renaissance Queen will have to prove she is the real deal after winning the 5.5 furlong 15k Lassie Stakes at Portland Meadows by just a nose. With three troubled starts to her six race resume – it looks like this horse may have some gate issues.

2 Formal Plan 12/1

Entered here off of a debut win at Portland Meadows – but it was a blowout. Formal Plan dueled briefly but was 8 lengths clear at the wire. However, it was a lowly maiden claiming affair and she’ll be facing much more seasoned competitors here. That race was also over a sloppy track – which makes it hard to judge form going on one race alone. Might be worth a gamble however, if the price is high enough – an interesting option.

3 Chick Power 8/1

Chick Power is a very consistent filly with a lifetime record of 2 for 6 making all of her starts at Portland Meadows. She has been improving with each start working her way up the conditions ladder. She was beaten just a nose by stable mate Renaissance Queen four back who is also making an appearance here.

4 Alec’s Moon 7/5

The chalk of this group is under the tutelage of leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Alec’s Moon is shipping in from Santa Anita where she was eased to finish last in the grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes. Here best performance was in an allowance/optional claiming race at Hollywood Park where she finished first by digging down and finding little extra at the end.

5 Love You So 15/1

Another Santa Anita shipper who has Love just a third place finish to her credit. Looks to be a non-contender but could use an extra race under her belt.

6 Golden Bow 10/1

A second entry trained by Hollendorfer but one who races on the Northern California / Oregon circuit. She broke her maiden at Portland Meadows Oct. 13 before returning to Golden Gate Fields, where she finished fifth in a 12.5k claiming race. Looks outmatched here.

7 Kate Winsalot 9/2

A speedy type who started her career by winning two in a row – one at Emerald Downs and one at Portland Meadows. Though she was handily beaten in her last race against the boys in a listed state at Portland Meadows. Will be in the mix.

8 Legendary Madame 6/1

Has never finished off the board and is 3 for 6 lifetime. She is making this start first off the claim and goes to the barn of leading local trainer Steve Fisher. The morning line odds are a huge value play – she has the necessary experience over this track to come home a winner and could be a very attractive price at post time.

SELECTIONS – #8 Legendary Madame… #7 Kate Winsalot… #4 Alec’s Moon