East Coast Invaders Loom Large in American Oaks

There aren't many Grade I races on the grass that trainer Chad Brown hasn't won at this point, and that list could get even shorter after Saturday's American Oaks at Santa Anita. The protégé of inaugural American Oaks winner Bobby Frankel saddles a pair of formidable fillies here in the form of Rymska (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and New Money Honey (Medaglia d'Oro). The former was fifth behind her stablemate in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf here late last season, but has been perfect in 2017 from limited appearances. She annexed Gulfstream's GIII Sweetest Chant S. Feb. 4, Laurel's GIII Commonwealth Oaks Sept. 30, and showed off her head-turning late kick once again when taking Aqueduct's Winter Memories S. Nov. 23. New Money Honey, meanwhile, has had sort of an in-and-out season. Sixth in her seasonal return in a strong running of the GIII Appalachian S. at Keeneland in April, she bounced back with scores in the GIII Wonder Again S. and GI Belmont Oaks Invitational in June and July, respectively. Fifth when trying the dirt for the first time in the GI Alabama S. at Saratoga Aug. 19, she was sixth as the 5-2 chalk in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup in Lexington Oct. 14.

Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy) was second in that prestigious event–one spot ahead of Madam Dancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) with Beau Recall (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) fifth. Daddys Lil Darling has been second in four Grade I events, including the GI Kentucky Oaks in May, and will look to finally break through at the highest level. The Ken McPeek pupil was most recently a close third in Churchill's GII Mrs Revere S. Nov. 24.

One longshot who might merit a look is lightly raced Coachwhip (So You Think {NZ}). Very impressive overcoming serious trouble to win right out of the box for Jedd Josephson up at Golden Gate, the grey added an optional claimer over yielding turf there Nov. 24. She was most recently second behind Kathy's Song (Candy Ride {Arg}) after finding herself too wide and too far back in the Miss America S. Dec. 10. The Calumet homebred has since been transferred to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, and figures to appreciate this 10-furlong trip that her globe-trotting sire excelled at.