Crichton’s pair of Oasis Jak, Provocativa look good in feature races
Rohan Crichton, who made his presence known by winning the US$150,000 Mouttet Mile with American-bred Rough Entry last December, now has the opportunity to further establish himself as he holds the aces in both divisions of the James B Dawes Memorial Trophy feature race today.
Crichton will saddle Oasis Jak in Division One of the $1.25-million Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward going five and a half furlongs (1,100m) and
Provocativa in Division Two. Both horses, who are owned by Albert Barrett, will be making their debut on local soil and both are coming off a seven-month break.
Oasis Jak is a four-year-old dark brown filly bred in Kentucky by Tapizar out of the Forestry mare Sweetheart Legacy. She has raced six times in her career, holding one victory and two third-place finishes.
Oasis Jak’s lone win came at Gulfstream Park on March 22, 2023, where she won a maiden claiming race over five and one half furlongs in a time of 1:05.34.
Provocativa is a five-year-old dark brown by mare bred in Kentucky by Protonico out of the More Than Ready mare
Audacious Chloe. She has raced 14 times in her career, winning two times, finishing second two times, and finishing third two times.
Provocativa released her maiden at Gulfstream on September 23, 2022 beating maiden claimers over one mile in a time of 1:40.46. Her second win came at Tampa Bay on May 5, 2023, where she won a claiming race over one mile and 40 yards in a time of 1:43.30.
Oasis Jak has put in some nice gallops leading up to her debut. Her two most notable efforts occurred on Monday, January 15, when she worked 49.3 for four furlongs (800m), and on Sunday, January 21, when she ran five furlongs in 1:02.2 and four furlongs in 48.0. She appears to be in top form, but she will face heavy competition from Gary Subratie’s The Good Witch and the improving Sensational Move. The Good Witch has been running well lately, and with her current form, she should be competitive.
Sensational Move was a winner over six furlongs (1,200m) on December 23, 2023 where he clocked a quick 1:11.3 for his 7 ½-length win margin. If anyone should deny
Oasis Jak is
Sensational Move.
Meanwhile,
Provocativa has an easier task in her region. She is up against some average runners, with the exception of
God of Love and Duke. However, both God of Love and Duke are aging and appear to have lost their form. God of Love, an eight-year-old bay gelding, has not won a race since July 1 of last year, and his previous four starts have been terrible, but he should make a bold attempt today.
Duke, who is also eight years old, has not visited the winners’ enclosure in quite some time. He has only won once in his last 16 starts, but he is expected to be challenging today.
Provocativa, who would prefer it longer, has put in some good work in the morning leading up to this race.
Provocativa completed five furlongs in 1:01.1 and four furlongs in 46.3 in her final gallop for this event. Oneil Mullings has a leg up on Oasis Jak, while Shamaree Muir will ride
Provocativa.
Ones to watch:
Race 1) Sabina/Sly Stalloon/Okahumpka
Race 2) Crown Chaser/Oil Machine/Himaya
Race 3) Spitzen Khan/Sugar Sugar/Sir Wong Don
Race 4) Sparkles/KD Strong/Princess Akilah
Race 5) Rohan Kabir/Lion of Ekati/High Diplomacy
Race 6) Muzzo/Storm A Come/The Exodus
Raee 7) Anika Belle/Edina Marsh/Sir Ganga Jamuna
Race 8) Oasis Jak/Sensational Move/The Good Witch
Race 9) Provocativa/Duke/God of Love
Race 10) Fearless Soul/Huntsman/All For Love