A total of 103 of the world's best 3-year-old fillies, including champion Echo Zulu, were made early nominees to the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1).
The early nomination period to the Kentucky Oaks closed Saturday with a $200 payment. The 1 1/8-mile race will be staged for the 148th time on Friday, May 6 at Churchill Downs.
Echo Zulu, owned by L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained by Steve Asmussen, recently began working toward her 3-year-old debut. The undefeated Gun Runner filly sports victories in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), $400,000 Frizette (G1), and $300,000 Spinaway (G1). Echo Zulu also is nominated to the Triple Crown.
Other top contenders that were nominated to the Longines Kentucky Oaks include:
- Old Bones Racing Stable, Michael Lombardi and Joey Platts' $200,000 Chandelier (G2) winner Ain't Easy;
- Cypress Creek Equine and Arnold Bennewith's $400,000 Golden Rod (G2) winner Dream Lith;
- Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds' $300,000 Pocahontas (G3) winner Hidden Connection;
- Albaugh Family Stables' $400,000 Alcibiades (G1) winner Juju's Map;
- Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House's $250,000 Demoiselle (G2) winner Nest;
- Briland Farm's $200,000 Martha Washington winner Secret Oath;
- KHK Racing's $150,000 UAE Oaks (G3) winner Shahama; and
- Dawn and Ike Thrash's $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) winner Turnerloose.
Fillies not nominated during the early stage can pay a $1,500 late fee until Saturday, April 16. After April 16, a supplementary nomination fee of $25,000 can be made at the time of entry.
A complete list of nominations will be available at https://www.churchilldowns.com/horsemen/stakes/nominations/
Like the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Longines Kentucky Oaks has been run each year since 1875. The lucrative race is the centerpiece of a spectacular day of racing and entertainment at Churchill Downs that celebrates fashion, food, celebrity and fun with a focus on women's health issues and outreach.
The post Champion Echo Zulu Tops 103 Early Nominees To Kentucky Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
