Family Tree Goes for Oaks Double

Mary and Gary West's Family Tree (Smart Strike) seeks her second-straight graded tally in Saturday night's GII Indiana Oaks. A close third in Remington's Trapeze S. last December, the chestnut was transferred from Wayne Catalano to Bob Baffert, and was second in Sunland's Plum Pretty S. on seasonal debut Mar. 20. She aired in a Churchill optional claimer on GI Kentucky Oaks day May 6, but settled for second–one spot ahead of Kentucky Oaks eighth Dream Dance (Afleet Alex)–back under the Twin Spires 22 days later. Back in the Catalano barn last time, she turned in a career-best effort to take the GIII Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows June 30. She still appears to be on her game, having fired a :47 2/5 four-furlong bullet at Keeneland July 11. Zayat Stables and Bob Baffert invade with the streaking Emmzy (Eskendereya), who was scratched from the Iowa Oaks in favor of a Santa Anita optional claimer the same day that she took handily. She broke her maiden in her previous effort 20 days earlier, which came in her first attempt at a route of ground. Mines and Magic (Mineshaft) and Walkabout (Stroll) are up-and-comers who could have a say. The former broke through at third asking by daylight over eight panels in Louisville May 28, and added an optional claimer over the same track and trip June 25. Walkabout, a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero Fort Larned (E Dubai), comes off a 4 1/2-length graduation score at Churchill June 18.