Plans for Intricate on hold for now

The 3-year-old filly Intricate came out of her disappointing fourth-place finish in the Fair Grounds Oaks with mucus in her upper-respiratory system and is currently in a holding pattern.

“She had a significant amount of mucus on the scope,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “I think it was enough to make an excuse. We’ve been treating her for it, just trying to get her right, get her healthy. All plans are on hold until we get her right.”

Intricate won the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes in November and came into 2024 a realistic hope for the Kentucky Oaks. She was second to Tarifa, who returned to win the Fair Grounds Oaks, making her 3-year-old debut in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, but instead of progressing from that performance, she regressed considerably at 2-1 in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Tyler Gaffalione said Intricate had no response when he asked her for more run around the far turn.

“We don’t necessarily have to make the [Kentucky] Oaks. She could still have a good season. We’ll see how she does the next week or so,” said Walsh.

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