When handicapping the upcoming Monmouth Oaks, I went looking for upside and saw the most potential for improvement in Skeptic (1). By no means is she the most likely winner of the race - but she figures to be a little higher price on the board than perhaps she ought to be. A 6-1 chance on the morning line, she breaks from the rail and might be in line to receive a favorable stalking trip behind the speed in this 1 1/16-mile dirt race.

She opened at 3-1, but with little money in the pool, she seems likely to drift up from that. She needs to be close to her 6-1 morning line or she would become a pass.

Her connections are showing faith in her by testing Grade 3 waters in the Monmouth Oaks after a somewhat disappointing fourth from her last out at Indiana Grand. A conservative move would have been to look for a second-level allowance.

Sassy Sienna and Gio Game are the most established fillies in the field, being the richest entrants and Grade 1 tested. However, they come off rear-half finishes that could hint at vulnerability.

Post time is approximately 5:10 ET.