#1 – Explora
There’s a pattern here
First, second, first, second, first
Bad news for “win” bets

#2 – Zany
Met match in Ashland
Now, will she grow or recede?
Oaks’ burning question

#3 – Search Party
Petals are falling
On this late-blooming filly
Too many to beat

#4 – Counting Stars
Wants all the distance
Seems to gain power with it
Paying attention

#5 – Meaning
Scratch her Breeders’ Cup
And there’s not much to dislike
Ought to have a say

#6 – My Miss Mo
SCRATCHED

#7 – Dazzling Dame
Good in her bubble
In non-graded East Coast stakes
This won’t be easy

#8 – Bottle of Rouge
SCRATCHED

#9 – Always a Runner
False advertising
Technically not runner
Pre-February

#10 – Prom Queen
Pieces clicking fast
And she should be plenty fresh
A win’s in her scope

#11 – Percy’s Bar
Very well-rested
Live if she left her bad luck
In last year’s campaign

#12 – Bella Ballerina
An Oaks pedigree
But can she keep up the pace
When someone chases?

#13 – Pashmina
Even in best case
She sets the pace and then folds
Sprint early, pray late

#14 – Brooklyn Blonde
Left her comfort zone
Grew, but found limitations
She’ll win this summer

#15 (AE) – Lovely Grey
It seems pretty clear
Her surface is Tapeta
Best will come later

#16 (AE) – Nycon
Struggled to stand out
In less-than-daunting prep tries
Can’t see how she fits

#17 (AE) – Resist
Go read Lovely Grey’s
But thirds instead of seconds
Resist picking her

Prediction
Tell me something, girl
In Counting Stars, one is born
Ten, five fill the tri