Overflow field looks certain for Kentucky Oaks

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A little more than a week before entries are drawn, the Grade 1, $1,250,000 Kentucky Oaks appears assured of the maximum field of 14 fillies.

Ben Huffman, racing secretary at Keeneland and Churchill Downs, said interest from horsemen has been extremely high for the May 6 Oaks, for which entries will be drawn next Monday, May 2.

In order of points earned, these are the 14 confirmed for the 148th Oaks: Kathleen O., Echo Zulu, Nest, Yuugiri, Desert Dawn, Nostalgic, Venti Valentine, Secret Oath, Goddess of Fire, Turnerloose, Hidden Connection, Cocktail Moments, Candy Raid, and Shahama.

There also is an also-eligibles list of as many as four fillies, and Huffman said inquiries from the connections of bubble horses continue to come in. Those alternates, in order of preference, are Shotgun Hottie, Adare Manor, Ain’t Easy, and Beguine.

:: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now!

Adare Manor is among five horses trained by Tim Yakteen scheduled to arrive at Churchill early Derby week following all their final pre-race workouts next weekend at Santa Anita. Adare Manor isn’t necessarily under consideration for the Oaks and may be diverted instead to the Grade 2 Eight Belles, a seven-furlong race on the Oaks undercard.

Thirteen started in the Oaks when Malathaat won last year. The field was nine when Shedaresthedevil won in September 2020 and 14 when Serengeti Empress prevailed in 2019.

* Jack Christopher, unraced since winning the Grade 1 Champagne last October with a 102 Beyer, might well be headed to the Pat Day Mile on Derby Day. Through last weekend, the colt had been sent through eight timed works since late February by trainer Chad Brown at Payson Park.

“It’s definitely under consideration,” said Brown.

:: Want to start playing with a $510 bankroll and have access to free Formulator? Learn more

* Ivar, scratched from the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile earlier in the Keeneland meet, is waiting instead for the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic on Derby Day, according to trainer Paulo Lobo. Ivar won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile here in October 2020.

* Apprentice rider Rene Diaz won two races Wednesday at Keeneland, both of them mid-range claiming events for trainer Michael McCarthy. Diaz, 22, was born in Venezuela before being brought to the U.S. at age 2.