After dropping her first three starts in 2019, Jaywalk got back on track with a dominant wire-to-wire victory in the July 6 Delaware Oaks (G3) and the two-year-old filly champion will look to make it two straight in Saturday’s $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3).
The gray daughter of Cross Traffic will meet only four rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race and has been installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite by Monmouth Park oddsmaker Brad Thomas.
A runaway winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Frizette (G1) last fall, Jaywalk came back with a disappointing fourth in the Davona Dale (G2) in early March. She dropped her second straight as the overwhelming favorite when weakening to third in the Ashland (G1) next out and received a two-month freshening after a well-beaten sixth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The time off appeared beneficial, with Jaywalk registering a field-best 99 BRIS Speed rating for her nine-length tally last out, and Joe Bravo will be back aboard the speedy lass for Jason Servis.
Horologist has a three-race win streak in tow and will switch back to open company following a sharp score in the June 9 Smart N Classy for New Jersey-breds. Angle Suarez takes over for Bravo and the John Mazza-trained daughter of Gemologist is listed as the 3-1 co-second choice.
Sweet Sami D also is 3-1 following a runner-up in the July 28 Just Jenda on turf. Trained by Pat McBurney, the First Samurai filly has recorded both of her career wins on the Monmouth main track and Paco Lozez will guide.
Stay Smart enters her stakes debut on the upswing for Kelly Breen, recording convincing wins over maiden special weight and entry-level allowance foes in her last two outings, but does face a serious class check after defeating state-bred competition in both. Nik Juarez rides the early 6-1 shot. Lady Banba, who ships in from Parx off an entry-level allowance win in the slop, completes the field.
I remember when the Oaks was a Gr. 1 with the best 3yo fillies in attendance every year. All this track cares about anymore is Haskell, Haskell, Haskell. How boring.