- On what is typically Kentucky Oaks day, this year Oaklawn Park’s Fantasy Stakes takes center stage
- A full field of 14 three-year-old fillies will compete in a pretty good replica of the Oaks
- Venetian Harbor & British Idiom are reasonable favorites but many betting options are present
The Kentucky Derby is so much more than the fastest two minutes in sports. It is a full weekend of celebration that uses a horse race as an excuse to live it up. The Friday before Derby Day is Kentucky Oaks day in Louisville. This year, with Churchill Downs closed, the Arkansas Derby is taking center stage on Saturday, and Oaklawn Park’s Fantasy Stakes replaces the Oaks on Friday.
More or less the field for the Fantasy Stakes is the same group that would have contested the Oaks. The horses who do well Saturday will not only earn a share of the $400,000 purse but will be in a very strong position to participate in the Oaks, now scheduled for September.
Venetian Harbor and British Idiom are deserving favorites in the Fantasy, but with a deep field comes lots of betting value and it is worth considering the whole group. Let’s break it down.
2020 Fantasy Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Venetian Harbor | +120 |
| British Idiom | +350 |
| Harvey’s Lil Goil | +650 |
| Swiss Skydiver | +900 |
| Lake Avenue | +1200 |
| Shedaresthedevil | +1400 |
| Fire Coral | +1600 |
| Alta’s Award | +2500 |
| Ice Princess | +3500 |
| Kansas Kis | +3500 |
| New York Groove | +4000 |
| Lazy Daisy | +4000 |
| Ring Leader | +5000 |
| Lady Glamour | +8000 |
All odds taken April 29.
Favorites
Venetian Harbor has run just three times in her career and has two victories. After a runner up performance as an even-money favorite in her debut, she responded with a near 10 length victory to close 2019. Stepping up in quality of opponent this year, she was very impressive in the Las Virgenes Stakes.
Venetian Harbor beat just four horses last time out and now departs California for the first time. So far so good, but the number of opponents and quality improves in this one.
British Idiom was three for three last year including a thrilling victory in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies.
She has raced just once this year and finished second, a well-beaten runner up against Finite in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in mid-February. While her record and class is unquestionable, her speed figures have never been elite.
Other Contenders
One of two horses in the race trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Harvey’s Lil Goil has romped in back-to-back victories including February’s Busanda Stakes.
This is a much more difficult field than Harvey has ever faced, but she could sit a perfect trip just off the expected quick early tempo.
Swiss Skydiver may be a part of that dangerous speed battle up front, but she sure did look good in her victory during the Gulfstream Park Oaks last time out.
Swiss Skydiver was third in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and has two victories in five career starts.
Lake Avenue is a pricey horse that has not lived up to expectations thus far. That said, she won a graded stakes race last year and was a competitive third last time out against Swiss Skydiver in the Gulfstream Park Oaks.
If you are looking for a big price, how about Lazy Daisy? She is trained by the excellent Doug O’Neill and won a graded stakes last year. Her most recent result, sixth by nearly two dozen lengths in November’s Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies is ugly, but she had a very difficult trip that day, and now has had plenty of time to recover and improve as she begins her three-year-old campaign.
Analysis
The Kentucky Oaks is always a deep race with lots of options whether there is a big favorite or not. The same holds true for this year’s Fantasy Stakes. The chalk is reasonable, but several others are viable. We never pass up a 40/1 shot with a legit chance, so a small wager on Lazy Daisy is happening, but the bulk of our budget will go to British Idiom who should be ready to roll in her second race off of a layoff.
The post Fantasy Stakes Odds & Betting Preview: Venetian Harbor & British Idiom Top Favorites appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.
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