Tonalist's Shape will be tested in Gulfstream Oaks

Tonalist’s Shape will have to overcome 11 opponents and an outside draw while going two turns for the first time when she attempts to remain undefeated in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks.

Tonalist’s Shape is 5 for 5, including graded stakes victories this year in the Grade 3 Forward Gal, going seven furlongs, and the Grade 2 Davona Dale, going a mile. The Gulfstream Park Oaks is run at 1 1/16 miles around two turns.

“She looks like she wants to run all day, she’s bred to run all day – even when you breeze her in the morning, she’s not a flashy workhorse, but she gallops out and keeps going,” said Saffie Joseph Jr., who trains Tonalist’s Shape for Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham, and Legacy Ranch. “Until you do it, you never know, but all indications are that she’s going to appreciate going longer.”

Tonalist’s Shape drew post 9 in the Oaks, which attracted 14 entrants, though only 12 are permitted to run. Regarding the post, Joseph took the optimistic approach, noting that in her two one-mile races Tonalist’s Shape broke sharp.

“I don’t mind it, I think the draw will be all right for her,” Joseph said.

Florida Derby: News, contenders, and videos

Joseph said he was surprised to see Tonalist’s Shape on the lead in the Davona Dale, a race in which she withstood challenges from longshot Chart and favored Spice Is Nice, who was coming off a dominant debut victory.

Despite the fact Spice Is Nice flashed brilliance on debut, trainer Todd Pletcher admitted it was a tall task taking on Tonalist’s Shape off one race. Still, Spice Is Nice was game to the wire and Pletcher is hoping having a second race under her belt will help close the gap on Tonalist’s Shape.

“It was a lot of seasoning to give up going from a maiden to a Grade 2, but she ran on well and finished with her legs underneath her at the end,” Pletcher said. “I’m looking forward to getting her stretched out around two turns. That’s what she’s really wanted.”

Spice Is Nice drew post 5. Javier Castellano was named to ride, but he tested positive for coronavirus and thus will have to take off.

:: Get a closer look at the Gulfstream Park card with the DRF Clocker Report

Pletcher also entered Mrs. S, a recent maiden winner who, despite winning her most recent start, will be equipped with blinkers after drifting out in the lane of her victory. She will be ridden from post 10 by John Velazquez.

Trainer Ken McPeek is anxious to run Swiss Skydiver in the Gulfstream Oaks after coming out of a third-place finish behind Finite and British Idiom in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds last month.

“I’m beyond optimistic with her,” McPeek said. “She’s a real professional filly, two turns definitely suit her. I think she’s got a pretty good chance to win this thing.”

Paco Lopez rides from post 6.

Lake Avenue, who was impressive winning the Grade 2 Demoiselle last December at Aqueduct, disappointed in her 3-year-old debut, finishing fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the Busher Invitational on March 7 at Aqueduct. Trainer Bill Mott said he is “still a little bit confused” by that performance and is hoping she may have just needed the race more than he thought.

“She’s doing fine,” Mott said. “She [worked] well the other day. Coming back this quick I didn’t think I’d have to do too much.”

Joel Rosario replaces Junior Alvarado, who was unable to travel from New York to be in Florida by a Gulfstream Park-mandated deadline of Sunday night.

Lucrezia, a daughter of Into Mischief trained by Arnaud Delacour, comes off victories in the Sandpiper at six furlongs and the Suncoast at one mile and 40 yards, in her previous two starts, both at Tampa Bay Downs. Delacour was looking to run in the Ashland at Keeneland, but called an audible to run here. Lucrezia has fired two bullet workouts since the Suncoast.

Dream Marie went from winning a maiden $20,000 claimer at 17-1 at Gulfstream Park West in November to Grade 2 stakes-placed when she ran third in the Davona Dale last out. She fired two bullet workouts at Gulfstream Park West since the Davona Dale.

The top four finishers from the Gulfstream Oaks earn qualifying points (100-40-20-10) to the Kentucky Oaks, which has been rescheduled for Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs.

The Gulfstream Oaks goes as race 11 and kicks off the late pick four that will have a guaranteed pool of $500,000.