Tonalist's Shape Regroups After Gulfstream Oaks Loss

Tonalist's Shape, who lost for the first time in six starts when seventh in the March 28 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), is likely to receive a short freshening with hopes of returning to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail this summer.

The 3-year-old daughter of Tonalist  never challenged as the 9-5 favorite after winning the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) and Davona Dale Stakes (G2) this year at Gulfstream Park for owners Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham, and Legacy Ranch. Hung wide in a slow-paced contest in her two-turn debut, the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained filly raced in the rear half of the field for most of the 1 1/16 miles and was beaten 11 3/4 lengths by winner Swiss Skydiver.

"We're just going to regroup. She came out of it sound, which is important," said Nick Cosato, the managing partner for Slam Dunk Racing. "We'll freshen her up, get her right mentally, and hopefully in July, August, and September, we're back and people are hearing from us."

The Kentucky Oaks, like the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), was postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new date of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs is Sept. 4, a day before the Derby.

Though Tonalist's Shape has yet to prove her effectiveness in two-turn routes, at this stage she has the necessary qualifying points to secure entrance into the 1 1/8-mile Oaks. She has 60 points, placing her fifth on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard behind Swiss Skydiver, Bonny South, Finite, and Donna Veloce.

The Kentucky Oaks is capped at 14 runners with preference given to those fillies with the most points.

Bred in Kentucky by Sabana Farm, Tonalist's Shape is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Harlan's Holiday mare Hitechnoweenie. She was bought privately by her current owners after a first-out maiden victory at Gulfstream Park last fall.