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Champion Filly Just F Y I Leads 104 Nominations to Kentucky Oaks

George Krikorian's champion homebred Just F Y I (Justify) leads a cast of 104 3-year-old fillies that were nominated to compete in the 150th running of the $1.5-million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks Friday, May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Just F Y I joins 23 other stakes winners based across North America that were nominated to the Kentucky Oaks, including recent GII Rachel Alexandra S. winner Tarifa (Bernardini); GI Alcibiades S. winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}); and GII Golden Rod S. winner Intricate (Gun Runner).

The 104 fillies became eligible to compete in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks with a $200 payment that was due Saturday, Feb. 17. Three-year-old fillies not made eligible during the early nomination phase can become eligible with a $1,500 late payment due Wednesday, Apr. 10.

Krikorian's undefeated Just F Y I sits atop the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 40 points that she earned by winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Frizette S. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Just F Y I is based this winter at Payson Park Training Center in South Florida where she continues to train toward her 3-year-old debut.

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2024 Kentucky Derby Trail: Three Heating Up, Three Cooling Down for Feb. 21

This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not quite as strong as they were a few weeks ago. In this fourth edition of this blog for the 2024 run for the roses, the focus is on the key Derby prep races from the last two weeks of racing as well as a promising 3-year-old generating some buzz.

Unbeaten Ghostwriter has Guineas Aim

Jeff Smith's unbeaten G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is pleasing trainer Clive Cox in his early preparation towards a potential start in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas back at the Rowley Mile.

“He's done really well, he had a super break and he's been back cantering for three or four weeks,” Cox said.

“We're thrilled with the way he's developed over the winter, he's looking even stronger.

“We were delighted with the campaign we enjoyed with him last year and we're all looking forward to this season.”

Ghostwriter made a winning debut over seven furlongs on Newmarket's July Course last August and backed it up with success at Ascot in a novice event over the same trip. He took the extra furlong in his stride when asked to go a mile in his first start in Pattern company in late September.

“I'm very much hoping to go to the Guineas, the first week in May is uppermost in our minds, especially with him winning on the track at Newmarket, on the July course, of course, but crucially the Rowley Mile,” Cox added.

“We would be very excited about him with those Classic races in mind.”

Smith's colours were most recently carried to Group 1 glory by Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) on four occasions. Through the owner is also a renowned breeder through his Littleton Stud, both Alcohol Free and Ghostwriter were bought as foals, selected by stud manager David Bowe.

Ghostwriter, bred in partnership by Norelands Stud and the Irish National Stud, is out of the Champs Elysees (GB) mare Moorside (GB), and was bought at Tattersalls for 100,000gns.

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Millionaire C Z Rocket Retired

C Z Rocket (City Zip-Successful Rocket, by Successful Appeal) has been retired from racing, according to trainer Peter Miller. The 10-year-old was last seen finishing sixth at Oaklawn Monday.

An $800,000 OBS juvenile purchase by Arkansas businessman Frank Fletcher, C Z Rocket had lost 11 consecutive starts when he moved to Miller's barn in April of 2020 after he was claimed on behalf of Tom Kagele for $40,000 at Oaklawn. For his new connections, which subsequently included Altamira Racing and Madaket Stables, the Florida bred won 13 races, finished second nine times and was third on seven occasions from 46 starts, before retiring with earnings of $2,144,691.

Highlighting his victories, he annexed the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S., GII Pat O'Brien and GIII Count Fleet S. in addition to finishing runner-up in two renewals of the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, held at Keeneland in 2020 and 2022.

“One of the all-time great claims,” the California-based Miller said by phone Monday afternoon. “Made over $2 million, second in the Breeders' Cup twice and retires sound and happy. If that's not a success, I don't know what is.”

Third in his seasonal debut in a Santa Anita allowance Jan. 19, the bay was sixth facing starter allowance company in Hot Springs Feb. 19.

“The last thing I want to see is him get hurt,” Miller said. “He's very sound, but he's lost a step or two and now's the time.”

Miller said C Z Rocket's post-racing life could begin in a Kentucky equine retirement facility.

“If we can get him into Old Friends or Kentucky Horse Park, we'd do that,” Miller said. “And if not, we'll bring him home.”

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