Which Sassy Sienna will show up in Monmouth Oaks?

In the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn this past spring, Sassy Sienna beat Wonder Gadot, who came back to nearly win the Kentucky Oaks, won the Queen’s Plate, and is going after the Travers Stakes in her next start. In the Iowa Oaks on July 5 at Prairie Meadows, Sassy Sienna beat two horses, finishing seventh, more than 18 lengths behind the victorious She’s a Julie.

If the Fantasy version of Sassy Sienna shows up Saturday, she can win the Grade 3, $100,000 Monmouth Oaks. The Iowa Oaks version obviously can’t.

“I don’t know what happened that day,” said trainer Brad Cox. “She was training extremely well leading up to that race, spitting fire. Hopefully, she will rebound and give a good account of herself.”

Hopefully, not necessarily, and even at her best, Sassy Sienna is only one of several who ought to have a chance in the 1 1/16-mile Monmouth Oaks. Nine are entered, including possible favorite Gio Game, and there appears to be ample early pace. The race is carded as the 10th at 5:09 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sassy Sienna, by Midshipman
Last 3 Beyers: 64-79-82

◗ Even casting aside her Iowa Oaks effort, and considering that she probably was too close to the pace at a distance beyond her best when fading to sixth in the Kentucky Oaks, it’s worth noting that all of Sassy Sienna’s best races have come at Oaklawn Park.

◗ Her career-best Beyer Speed Figure is an 82, and the last five Monmouth Oaks winners have gone 84, 84, 89, 82, and 94.

◗ Trainer Cox during the last year has a $2.19 ROI from 39 starters in dirt-route graded stakes.

Gio Game, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 73-87-88

◗ Beat sharp Iowa Oaks winner She’s a Julie in a May 4 allowance race at Churchill Downs, then was a solid third behind division leader Monomoy Girl and the talented Talk Veuve to Me in the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont.

◗ Enters after laying an egg in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 22 at Saratoga.

“What happened? The others ran much faster than she did,” deadpanned trainer Mark Casse. “We tried to make the lead with her, she kind of hooked up with Monomoy Girl, and it took the starch out of her. If she runs to her previous races, she should be very tough, and she’s training like she will.”

Skeptic, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 74-80-72

◗ Improved through the latter part of the spring and was returning from a two-month layoff in her most recent start, the Indiana Oaks on July 14. Talk Veuve to Me, who won that race in a romp, is among the favorites in the Grade 1 Alabama.

◗ Has a cozy draw on the rail from which she can track two or three speed horses under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Mo Shopping, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 71-76-70

◗ Needs a career-best effort to win but won’t be facing the likes of Red Ruby, who crushed her last out in the Delaware Oaks.

◗ Trainer Todd Pletcher is a four-time winner of this race, most recently in 2016 with another daughter of Uncle Mo, Unbridled Mo.