Delaware Oaks preview

Gasia tries hard, and she showed an affinity for this surface and distance in her most recent start. She stalked the pace in the two path that day before willingly taking control on the turn. She'll get a tougher class test in the Delaware Oaks, but her good speed should have her just off probable pacesetter Hystericalady, and she should be prominent when they turn for home. It's good to see the recent five furlong workout, and trainer J Larry Jones is having a career year. Win odds of 9-2 or more seem fair.

Last Romance seems to be rounding into her best form for the dangerous Richard Dutrow Jr. barn. She broke from an impossible post position two back in the Kentucky Oaks, then chased Bushfire, one of the top three-year-old fillies in the country, in the Acorn. Last Romance's bullet workout on July 5 matches up with Dutrow's quality filly Sis City, and she should be rolling late under Ramon Dominguez.

Peak Maria's Way was no match for Gasia when sent on a front-running mission last time, but she may revert to stalking tactics with Hystericalady setting the pace on Saturday. The gray filly earned a big Beyer two back, and may tuck herself in just behind the leaders for the backstretch run.

Adieu and Hystericalady will take lots of mutuel support. The former won the Grade 1 Frizette in the slop last year, but she is still seeking her first win in 2006. She was outfinished by Last Romance in the Acorn, and may be a bit of an underlay. Hysericalady earned a pair of triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in California, and P. Val will have her on the engine once again. We'll see if the cross-country journey took something out of her.

Selections:
1. Gasia
2. Last Romance
3. Peak Maria's Way