Kentucky Oaks: Onlyforyou leads 17 Pletcher nominees for 140th running

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Todd Pletcher has 17 of the 122 3-year-old fillies, including unbeaten Onlyforyou, on the Kentucky Oaks nominations list released Friday by Churchill Downs.

All the known suspects are on the nominations list for the 140th running of the Grade 1, $1 million filly classic, which is set for May 2. Besides Onlyforyou, a 2 1/4-length winner last weekend of the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream, the list includes defending divisional champion She’s a Tiger and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia, as well as major contenders Untapable, Unbridled Forever, Sweet Reason, Awesome Baby, and Fashion Plate.

Besides Onlyforyou, who was the favorite after the first day of betting into the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager this week, Pletcher also has such notables as Dame Dorothy, Sweet Whiskey, Got Lucky, Fierce Boots, Our Amazing Rose, and Stopchargingmaria named to the 1 1/8-mile Oaks.

Pletcher, a three-time Oaks winner (Ashado, Rags to Riches, Princess of Sylmar), also has a record 41 nominees to the Kentucky Derby on May 3.

Only as many as 14 fillies can run in the Oaks, with eligibility determined by a points system implemented last year for both the Derby and Oaks. A four-horse also-eligibles list will be on the program, with scratch time set for the morning of the race.

Wise Dan nominated to Turf Classic

Churchill also has released nominations for the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, its Derby Day fixture won last year by the eventual Horse of the Year, Wise Dan.

Wise Dan is foremost among the 90 nominees to the 1 1/8-mile race, although trainer Charlie LoPresti has made no commitments to any particular race for the 7-year-old gelding.

Other nominees to the 28th running of the Woodford include Little Mike, Palace Malice, and Will Take Charge. Mike Maker leads all trainers with nine nominees, while Pletcher, Bill Mott, and Shug McGaughey each have six.

The Oaks, Woodford, and Derby once again will be linked together in a two-day pick three wager.