Cathryn Sophia’s victory in the Kentucky Oaks as the 4.70-1 second choice kept the will-pays for the Oaks-Derby double within a moderate range. The lowest payoff for a $1 wager would be $29.40 when paired with early Derby favorite Nyquist. The highest would be $817 if Trojan Nation wins.

Morning-line favorite Nyquist maintained his position as the lowest-priced horse in the Kentucky Derby field, with early wagers floating him down from his program odds of 3-1 to 2-1 after the Kentucky Oaks on Friday.

Gotham Stakes winner Shagaf saw the most dramatic change in his odds, rising from 20-1 on the morning line set by Churchill’s Mike Battaglia to 74-1, making him the longest price on the board.

A total of $862,829 had been wagered into the Kentucky Derby win pool through 7:34 p.m. Eastern.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – John Servis admitted that he had some reservations about Cathryn Sophia’s ability to get the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Kentucky Oaks.

But the trainer saw a maturation process in the filly culminating in a superlative workout at Keeneland on April 23. That work, combined with the earlier announced defection of the super-filly Songbird from the race, convinced Servis to run Cathryn Sophia in Friday’s 142nd Kentucky Oaks.

Trojan Nation: Co-owner Julie Gilbert’s father graduated from the University of Southern California in 1953; the school's mascot is the Trojans.

Suddenbreakingnews: Owner Sam F. Henderson has no connection to the media business; he said he simply likes the name.

Marcus Vitali, the trainer whose recent legal maneuvers have raised questions about racing regulation, has reapplied for a racing license in Florida, three weeks after surrendering the license to avoid penalties related to violations of medication rules, according to a Florida regulatory official.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Cloudy

Track: Good

Temp.: 46

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thursday was the chilliest day yet on the Kentucky Derby watch, with temperatures in the mid-40s when the track opened and still straining to reach 50 by the time the Derby-Oaks training session began at 8:30 a.m.

The surroundings at Churchill Downs on Saturday will be familiar to jockey Mario Gutierrez – the crowded and hectic scene in the paddock, the pageantry of the post parade, and the electric atmosphere as the field nears the gate for the Kentucky Derby.

He’s been there before, and the experience will prove invaluable.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gustav Nyquist wears No. 14 for the Detroit Red Wings, but his namesake will be No. 13 on Saturday when Nyquist starts as the favorite in the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Nyquist, undefeated in seven starts, landed post 13 on Wednesday night when posts were drawn in the Aristides Lounge at Churchill Downs.

Nyquist usually races on or near the lead, and much of the other anticipated speed in the race landed outside stalls. Mohaymen is right alongside Nyquist in 14, Outwork has 15, and Danzing Candy drew the far-outside post, 20.

All of the horses in Barn 4 at Parx Racing have tested negative for the equineherpesvirus and they have been cleared by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to resume training and racing, effective immediately, according to Sam Elliott, the track's director of racing.

Barns 4 and 30 at Parx have been quarantined since April 1. Trainers Michael Aro and Ron Dandy are stabled in Barn 30 and trainers Keith Nations and Ron Dandy are in Barn 4.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Cloudy

Track: Fast

Temp.: 55

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Cooler weather had just about everyone on their toes during Wednesday’s Kentucky Derby/Oaks training session, although the star of the show, the undefeated Nyquist, had long left the stage by the time the majority of his competition in Saturday’s Derby came out to train following the renovation break at 8:30 a.m.