In Tune, Room Service will not run in Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A field of 13 3-year-old fillies led by Untapable is now expected for the Oaks with the addition of Empress of Midway and the defections of both In Tune and Room Service.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said In Tune, who has won all three of her starts, including the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, will not run in the Kentucky Oaks due to a sore shin.

“We noticed something out of her last breeze at Palm Meadows,” said Pletcher. “I thought we’d bring her here and see how we stood with her.”

Pletcher made the decision to withdraw In Tune from the Oaks after watching her gallop Thursday at Churchill Downs.

“Coming up to a major race like the Oaks, you need to be perfect, and she wasn’t,” said Pletcher. “It’s nothing major, but you just can’t have it. She’s been perfect so far and deserves the chance to get right again before we send her out there.”

Pletcher said In Tune, a homebred daughter of Unbridled’s Song, would have about six weeks rest on the farm of her owners, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, in Lexington, Ky.

Trainer Wayne Catalano said he took Room Service out of consideration for the Oaks after discussing the matter with owner Gary West and his racing manager, Benny Glass, following her seven-furlong work in company with stable mate Aurelia’s Belle here Thursday. Room Service dead-heated with Rosalind to win the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland but has never raced on dirt. Catalano said Room Service would make her next start on turf with her future itinerary still to be determined.

Along with Untapable and Empress of Midway, the field for the Oaks, as of Friday, will also include Rosalind, Aurelia’s Belle, Sugar Shock, Fashion Plate, My Miss Sophia, Got Lucky, Ria Antonia, Kiss Moon, Fiftyshadesofgold, Unbridled Forever, and Thank You Marylou.

Fiftyshadesofgold also worked Friday at Churchill, where she breezed an easy half-mile in 48.81 seconds for trainer Bret Calhoun.

– additional reporting by Marty McGee