#thoroughbredracingcentral

Alright we have a winner! The filly in question was indeed Florence Nightingale

Daughter of Man o’ War, winner of the 1925 Coaching Club American Oaks. Owned by Mrs. Walter M Jeffords, who once owned Golden Broom, the colt who beat Man o’ War in early racing trials

I’m actually a bit divided on this. I like that it has reduced the importance of the Breeders Cup Juvenile (a race that was an automatic-in and, let’s be honest, usually produced some pretty horrid Derby contenders) and other 2-year-old stakes races. However, I’m frustrated that fillies are basically eliminated from the field. What sane trainer would risk a race against stallions when there’s plenty of (much safer) money in the female division? In my opinion, the races that fillies compete in for Kentucky Oaks points should still count toward Kentucky Derby points, though perhaps not as many. I think a fair system would allow a filly to earn half as many points for the Derby as she earns for the Oaks while entered in the Oaks prep races. That way there are still fewer fillies than colts in the field (because colts can only compete in the Derby), but the top fillies have the option in competing in either.