Venti Valentine switches course, will now go in Kentucky Oaks

OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Venti Valentine, second to Nostalgic in last Saturday’s Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct, will make her next start in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6, trainer Jorge Abreu said Thursday.

The day after the Gazelle, Abreu had mentioned the idea of skipping the Oaks and pointing to the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont Park on June 11. But after consultation with the owners -- NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds -- the decision was made to run in the Oaks.

Venti Valentine, a New York-bred daughter of Firing Line, has three wins and two seconds from five starts. Last December, she was beaten just a neck by Nest in the Grade 2 Demoiselle going the Oaks distance of 1 1/8 miles. Nest, after wins in the Grade 1 Ashland and Suncoast Stakes this year, is among the favorites for the Kentucky Oaks.

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Venti Valentine began her 3-year-old campaign with a seven-length victory in the Busher Stakes at Aqueduct on March 5. In the Gazelle, Venti Valentine raced on the lead through modest fractions, but jockey Manny Franco left just enough room on the rail for Jose Ortiz to guide Nostalgic on through and post a 1 1/4-length win.

Venti Valentine currently has 94 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks, which ranks her seventh on the list of candidates for the race.

Abreu said Tyler Gaffalione will have the mount in the Oaks.

“I don’t think [Franco] did anything wrong when he put her on the lead,” Abreu said. “The owner was not happy with the rail being open.”

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Abreu said he anticipates there being other speed in the Oaks.

“She’s not gong to be on the lead, which is fine with me,” Abreu said.

Abreu said Venti Valentine will ship by van to Kentucky on Saturday and then breeze over the Churchill Downs track the two Saturdays leading up to the race.

In 2013, Gazelle runner-up Princess of Sylmar won the Kentucky Oaks at 38-1.

Meanwhile, Gazelle winner Nostalgic has returned to training at Belmont. Her shipping plans to Kentucky have not yet been finalized.