By: Elizabeth Rancani

When Pure Clan lost last time out it had little to do with her jockey. So, now Prado gets the mount on Pure Clan, but faces the same thing that got her beat last time; no pace to run at. There are no confirmed front runners in this field, so it will be hard for a closer to close into the soft pace that will surely be set out front.

Little Belle just may stay in front all the way around the track. She has the tactical speed to lead, and certainly has the pedigree to get the distance. To let her loose on the front end all alone could spell disaster for the other ladies.

Proud Spell is as classy and consistent as they come, and will likely finish in the top three. There are five or six horses that appear heads and shoulders above the rest of this field, and any one of them can win big. Proud Spell is certainly one of them.

Country Star is another prime contender. She does not like polytrack, so don’t hold her last start against her. She also bumped her head on the gate coming out and that could have taken any chance she had away. Bobby Frankel is a master trainer and rarely comes to a big race without a loaded gun. Country Star is here for a reason, and that is to win.

Oaks picks: Country Star, Proud Spell, Pure Clan, Little Belle