Ex-Simcock filly Amandine heads Oaks market but Van Dyke opts for Paved

11.30 Santa Anita
American Oaks Stakes (Grade 1) | 1m2f | 3yo fillies | ATR

The ex David Simcock-trained Amandine, who has won her last two starts in the US, steps up to a mile and quarter for the first time at Santa Anita on Saturday in the $300,000 Grade 1 American Oaks.

Amandine has been made clear favourite by bet365 at 6-4, but jockey Drayden Van Dyke has rejected her in favour of Paved, who finished 12th of 14 in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last time, meaning Mike Smith is now aboard Amandine.

Last year the American Oaks was won by the Kenny McPeek-trained Daddy's Lil Darling, who unfortunately was spooked by thunder on the way to the start for an ambitious tilt at the English Oaks in 2017 and had to be withdrawn.

This time around McPeek is represented by Midshipman filly Princess Warrior, who showcased her wellbeing by winning the Grade 2 Mrs Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs last month.

Andrea Atzeni had been due to ride Kodiac West for Neil Drysdale, but the filly was a late scratch.

Splitting Amandine and Paved in bet365's betting is Californiagoldrush, a stablemate of Kodiac West who won the Grade 2 Sands Point Stakes at Belmont in September on her most recent start.

Bet365 6-4 Amandine, 7-2 Californiagoldrush, 5 Paved, 7 Colonia, 8 Competitionofideas, 10 Princess Warrior, 33 K P Pergoliscious, Retro.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news