Fair Grounds: Avie's Sense out of Fair Grounds Oaks

The defection of Avie’s Sense has solidified Summer Applause’s position as the favorite for Saturday’s Fair Grounds Oaks, which was drawn with a six-horse field on Sunday.

Summer Applause, third in the Silverbulletday Stakes in January, ran down Avie’s Sense to win the Feb. 25 Rachel Alexandra Stakes by one length. But while Summer Applause has continued on a steady and impressive work pattern since the Rachel Alexandra, Avie’s Sense hasn’t posted a timed breeze since March 13, and on Sunday, Fair Grounds officials were informed that Avie’s Sense, trained by Josie Carroll, was out of the race.

Avie’s Sense’s defection led to the entry of two fillies, Inny Minnie and longshot Oaklawn ship-in Colonial Empress, who might not otherwise have been entered. Also in the Grade 2, $500,000 Oaks are Believe You Can, who beat Summer Applause and others in the Jan. 21 Silverbulletday Stakes before finishing fourth in the Rachel Alexandra; Small Kitchen, who makes her route debut after starting her career with sharp wins in two sprint races; and Disposable Pleasure.

Summer Applause, trained by Bret Calhoun, was installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite by Fair Grounds linemaker Mike Diliberto.