Kentucky Oaks top finishers exit race in good shape
Plum Pretty came out of her Kentucky Oaks victory in fine shape and her future racing schedule will be decided over the next few days.
Marty McGeeMay 07, 2011
Plum Pretty came out of her Kentucky Oaks victory in fine shape and her future racing schedule will be decided over the next few days.
All-sources wagering on the 12-race Kentucky Oaks card at Churchill Downs on Friday set an Oaks Day record at $37.5 million, including a record ontrack handle of $12.1 million, according to Churchill.
Derby Watch is DRF's weekly ranking of the top 20 contenders for the 2011 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Odds line and comments from Mike Watchmaker and Jay Privman.
Transcript of Kentucky Derby and Oaks handicapping chat with Steven Crist on DRF.com - May 5, 2011 from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern.
As expected, Dialed In was made the early 9-2 favorite for Saturday’s 137th Kentucky Derby. Also as expected, the early-bird bettors in Louisville flocked to their favorite son, Calvin Borel, making his mount, Twice the Appeal, the 7-1 co-second choice, along with Nehro.
The connections of Uncle Mo weren’t the only ones feeling disappointment Friday following his scratch from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. So, too, were those associated with Sway Away, who was excluded from the Derby because the race overfilled.
No one would deny that winning the Kentucky Derby is difficult, in particular owner Ahmed Zayat, who has quickly learned that when it comes to America's best-known race, it's prudent to expect the unexpected.
North American sires have become more speed-oriented over the last several decades, and that trend is evident in the sires of the top-three performers in the last 30 Kentucky Derbies. But pedigree analysts differ on how significant the trend toward speedy sires might be on the first Saturday in May.
Without a mount following the scratch of Uncle Mo on Friday, Velazquez was picked up by the connections of Amimal Kingdom later in the morning.
In an announcement that came as little surprise, Uncle Mo, the second choice on the morning line for Saturday’s 137th Kentucky Derby, was scratched Friday morning from the race due to a problem with the horse's internal system that has three veterinarians baffled.