Birdatthewire, Puca sitting on big races

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – This year’s Kentucky Oaks field is as evenly matched as it gets, with several of the 14 prospective starters capable of winning the race at their best and with the right trip.

The following is a brief assessment of some of the contenders based on impressions from their workouts and gallops here over the past 10 days. The rundown is given in post-position order.

ESKENFORMONEY – Her recent works, both here and at Palm Beach Downs, were decent, nothing special, although she’s looked strong during her gallops coming out of her latest breeze.

CONDO COMMANDO – Seems to have adapted well to the local surroundings. Turned in a solid five-furlong prep over the track with trainer Rudy Rodriguez aboard last week and came out of that work well. She was very eager, almost too much so, galloping here Wednesday.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY WORKOUTS: Video analysis, news, and times

ANGELA RENEE – Has trained the best of the two Todd Pletcher contenders in the field. Her half-mile breeze here last Friday was very sharp, and she looks to be sitting on her best yet while making the third start of her form cycle.

LOVELY MARIA – Showed her speed under mild encouragement in her lone local drill Sunday, shading 1:00 for five furlongs, and seems to have bounced out of the work nicely from the looks of her subsequent gallops.

I’M A CHATTERBOX – Her one Churchill Downs work last Sunday was okay, nothing special. But like Lovely Maria, she seems to be doing well coming up to the race.

SARAH SIS – She had nothing more than a maintenance-type work after shipping over from Arlington Park, finishing with some interest while going easily throughout. She is coming off a troubled trip in the Fantasy.

STELLAR WIND – She is the tepid morning-line favorite coming out of California with outstanding form and has done nothing wrong during gallops since arriving locally this week. In watching her final Santa Anita work on tape, she appeared to go well, running down a target and doing it easily enough.

BIRDATTHEWIRE – She was impressive all winter, both in the mornings and afternoons, at Gulfstream Park and has looked just as sharp at Churchill Downs. She gave every indication that she’s up to another big effort after cruising through an impressive five-furlong drill from the half-mile pole Saturday. She finished well without urging and galloped out strongly, as usual, around the bend as if the added distance will not be an issue.

PUCA – She comes off perhaps her best race yet, when second behind Condo Commando in the Gazelle, and appears ready to move forward again if her training is any indication. Her half-mile work Tuesday was arguably the best of any of the Oaks contenders. She turned back a significant challenge in midstretch from the well-regarded 3-year-old maiden Japan under wraps before galloping away strongly from her workmate into the turn. Like Birdatthewire, she’s going to have to overcome a tough post.