Ailalea picks up Kentucky Oaks slot

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The defection of She Be Wild from the 136th Kentucky Oaks will allow Ailalea into the field for the April 30 race, which Churchill Downs officials say is attracting well more than the 14-filly limit.

She Be Wild, the defending divisional champion, had topped the graded-earnings list that governs eligibility into the Grade 1 Oaks, but she is out of action indefinitely after undergoing surgery Sunday to repair a fracture in her left foreleg. Trainer Wayne Catalano said She Be Wild apparently incurred the injury in a routine gallop earlier that morning at Keeneland.

That untimely development leaves Blind Luck atop the earnings list and moves all the other fillies up a notch, most notably Ailalea, who had been first on the Oaks bubble. As of Monday, Champagne d'Oro has first preference into the race as one of about five fillies who will be excluded if no more defections occur.

Ailalea gives trainer Todd Pletcher a second Oaks prospect, after Devil May Care, who figures as one of the favorites off her sensational victory last month in the Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park. Ailalea won the Tempted Stakes at 2 but has finished sixth in both of her starts at 3.

Blind Luck, a four-time stakes winner, is expected to be shipped to Churchill early next week from her Southern California base. Blind Luck worked five furlongs Saturday morning in 59.80 seconds at Santa Anita.

Besides Blind Luck, Devil May Care, and Ailalea, these are the other 11 preferred fillies whose connections have told Churchill officials they intend to enter April 27: Amen Hallelujah, Beautician, Bella Diamante, Crisp, Evening Jewel, It's Tea Time, Joanie's Catch, Jody Slew, Quiet Temper, Sassy Image, and Tidal Pool.

Trainer Jim Cassidy confirmed Evening Jewel, the Ashland Stakes winner, for the Oaks after she worked five furlongs Saturday in a minute flat at Santa Anita.

Tiz Chrome euthanized

Like the Oaks, the Derby Trial lost a major contender over the weekend, although the loss of Tiz Chrome was of a far more grim nature. Tiz Chrome was euthanized after suffering a compound fracture of his left foreleg during a Sunday workout at Churchill.

Bob Baffert, who trained Tiz Chrome, still is expected to be represented by Game on Dude in the one-mile Derby Trial, which helps open the Churchill spring meet with its 86th running Saturday. At least 11 3-year-olds are considered probable.

Victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Derby Trial would allow Pleasant Prince or Eightyfiveinafifty to add enough to their graded-earnings total to run back in the Derby if their connections so choose. Aikenite is another of the prospective starters in that position, although officials of his owner, Dogwood Stable, have said they will not run in the Derby under any circumstance.

Drosselmeyer, previously considered possible for the Derby Trial, has been withdrawn from consideration to point instead for the May 15 Preakness, according to WinStar Farm's racing manager, Elliott Walden. Likewise, California-based Caracortado is no longer being considered for the Trial.

Solis gets started locally

The Wednesday card at Keeneland begins the first full week in Kentucky for Alex Solis since the veteran jockey announced he will ride regularly here this spring. Solis is named to ride in five of the nine Wednesday races, including an also-eligible, Blushing Bear, in the featured eighth.

Solis, 46, cited a diminishing number of riding opportunities as a reason for leaving the Southern California circuit, where he has ridden for the last 25 years.

* Going into the Wednesday card at Keeneland, the carryover jackpot into the $2 pick six has edged up to $54,589 after the bet failed to be hit over the weekend. The pick six is held on the last six races of the day. There is no carryover in the last-race super high five for Wednesday.