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Friday’s Kentucky Derby/Oaks Update

It was a busy Friday morning at Churchill Downs with 10 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks contenders logging their penultimate work prior to the first weekend in May.

Half of those workers were from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's barn–Oaks contenders GII Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) (five furlongs, 1:00.80); GI Central Bank Ashland S. winner Nest (Curlin) (four furlongs, :49.80); and unbeaten G3 UAE Oaks heroine Shahama (Munnings) (five furlongs, 1:00.80) and Derby contenders GI Curlin Florida Derby runner-up Charge It (Tapit) (five furlongs, 1:00.40) and GII Wood Memorial S. winner Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) (four furlongs, :50.20).

“Nest went a nice half in about :50 and galloped out nicely,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We were looking for a little bit more from Goddess of Fire and Shahama. Goddess of Fire hasn't run since the Fair Grounds Oaks and Shahama hasn't run since the UAE Oaks. So, we were looking for a little bit of a stronger work from them. They galloped out well and I was pleased with how they went.”

Pletcher added, “With Charge It, we were looking for a good, solid breeze. He went a minute and four-fifths with a super big gallop out. We were really happy with that. With Mo Donegal, with the Wood just 13 days ago, we were just looking for an easy half in :50. He had a nice gallop out as well. All the horses got over the track well. The track still had a little moisture in it from yesterday but they all handled it well.”

Other Derby and Oaks contenders that worked Friday at Churchill Downs were GI Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road (Race Day) (six furlongs, 1:16.40); GIII Fantasy S. runner-up Beguine (Gun Runner) (five furlongs, 1:01); Ashland runner-up Cocktail Moments (Uncle Mo) (five furlongs, 1:01.20); GII Rachel Alexandra S. winner Turnerloose (Nyquist) (five furlongs, 1:01.20) and GII Louisiana Derby runner-up Zozos (Munnings) (six furlongs, 1:12.40).

“It was another really strong move,” trainer Brad Cox said of Zozos. “He galloped out really well around the turn and is really doing well over this track. He's a quick horse as he showed in the Louisiana Derby but he settles into his works nicely.”

At Gulfstream, meanwhile, GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. winner and Florida Derby third Simplification (Not This Time) worked five furlongs in :59.42. “I'm so happy. The work was impressive. He did it very handily, very easy,” trainer Antonio Sano said. “Junior [Alvarado] worked the horse. He told me, 'Your horse wins the Derby.”

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The TDN Kentucky Oaks Rankings for Apr. 14

With the GI Ashland S., the GII Santa Anita Oaks and the GIII Gazelle S. topping last week's action, all the preps have been run and the field for the GI Kentucky Oaks is all but set. Who will be the favorite? Who is the filly to beat? In a year where the division is overrun with quality, those aren't easy questions to answer. It should be a heck of a race.

1) SECRET OATH (Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American) O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 7-4-0-2, $590,167. Last Start: 3rd GI Arkansas Derby. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 6.

The big news in the Secret Oath camp is that the connections have decided to replace jockey Luis Contreras with Luis Saez. Trainer Wayne Lukas had told the TDN that Contreras would keep the mount for the Oaks, so, apparently, someone had a change of mind. The move is hardly a surprise. Contreras, a regular at Woodbine, is a capable rider but he's not in the class of Saez, who is a rare talent. The guess is that Secret Oath will be the favorite. She's coming off a very good effort against males in the GI Arkansas Derby and, because of Lukas, the 86-year-old icon trying to win another Kentucky Oaks, she will dominate the storylines coming into the race. Her sire Arrogate passed away at age seven in 2020. Win or lose in the Oaks, she figures to go down as the best horse produced by her ill-fated sire.

2) KATHLEEN O. (Upstart–Quaver, by Blame) O-Winngate Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Bridlewood Farm (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $8,000 wlg '19 KEENOV; $50,000 ylg '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 4-4-0-0, $379,730. Last Start: 1st GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 150. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

Maybe she will be the favorite. Considering what she has accomplished, that wouldn't be a surprise. She's four-for-four in her career and gives every indication that she has yet to reach her peak. She represents a perfect example of why trainer Shug McGaughey is in the Hall of Fame. He's a master when it comes to developing horses and getting them to peak on the big day. Starting with her debut, a maiden win at Aqueduct Nov. 12, she has gotten better with every start. This year, she has reeled off three straight wins at Gulfstream, a surface that doesn't fit her come-from-behind style. It's been 29 years since McGaughey last won the Oaks, which he pulled off in 1993 with Dispute. It is his only win in the race.

3) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $623,050. Last Start: 1st GI Central Bank Ashland S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 120. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

Todd Pletcher won the 2021 Kentucky Oaks with a daughter of Curlin, Malathaat. He will try to do so again with another daughter of Curlin in Nest. Nest could possibly be better than Eclipse Award winner Malathaat. That's how impressive she was when winning the Ashland. After winning the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs in her 3-year-old debut, she faced much stiffer competition in the Ashland, but made it look easy. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., she drew off in the stretch to win by 8 1/4 lengths. “She looked like a star yesterday,” Pletcher said the morning after the Ashland. “You never expect to win by 8 1/4 lengths, but we felt good about the way she was coming into the race.” Mike Repole is one of her owners. He has spent millions at the sales trying to find superstar colts, but doesn't normally go after many fillies. This one was bought at Keeneland September for $350,000, which looks like a bargain. In most any other year, she'd be the solid favorite in the Oaks. This year, she could be third or fourth choice.

4) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/ Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, MGISW, 5-5-0-0, $1,720,000. Last Start: 1st GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks. KY Oaks Points: 130. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

Could Gun Runner, who got off to a sizzling start as a sire, win both the Oaks and the GI Kentucky Derby? With Echo Zulu and GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba (Gun Runner), it's entirely possible. She's undefeated and the reigning 2-year-old filly champion, so maybe she deserves to be ranked higher than fourth. But this corner was not enamored with her 3-year-old debut, a nose victory in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks in which she earned the slowest Beyer in her career. She's going to have to run better to win the Kentucky Oaks. Then again, maybe the cagey Steve Asmussen didn't have her at 100%, knowing that the Kentucky Oaks was the real goal? It's a tough call.

5) NOSTALGIC (Medaglia d'Oro–Been Here Before, by Tapit) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-0, $235,400. Last Start: 1st GIII Gazelle S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 101. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

She's was on the list, off the list and now makes it into the Top 5 with her win Saturday at Aqueduct in the Gazelle. She's had an up-and-down career so far. After finishing fourth in last year's GII Demoiselle S., one of the biggest key races of 2021, she went to the grass, where she was ninth and last in the GIII Sweetest Chant S. at Gulfstream. Trainer Bill Mott sent her back to dirt and she bounced right back with a 6 3/4-length win in a Gulfstream allowance race. She earned her ticket to the Oaks with a 1 1/4-length win in the Gazelle over 11-10 favorite Venti Valentine (Firing Line). Owned by Godolphin, by Medaglia d'Oro out of the Been Here Before, she's certainly got the pedigree to be a star. Mott has never won the Kentucky Oaks.

6) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant's Causeway) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Tim Yakteen. Sales History: $180,000 ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA ylg '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-2-2-0, $256,600. Last Start: 2nd GII Santa Anita Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

Among the top names headed for the Oaks, Adare Manor became the first to stub her toe when she finished second as the 7-10 favorite in the Santa Anita Oaks for new trainer Tim Yakteen. It was her first race since winning the GIII Las Virgenes S. and perhaps Yakteen, who took over for Bob Baffert, was trying to save something for Kentucky. Nonetheless, this was a race she was not supposed to lose, even if the margin of victory was just a neck. She was dominant when winning the Las Virgenes by 13 lengths, earning a 94 Beyer figure. If she can run back to that race she'd have a chance in the Oaks. But will she? Maybe she peaked too early.

7) HIDDEN CONNECTION (Connect–C J's Gal, by Awesome Again) O-Hidden Brook Farm & Black Type Thoroughbreds; B-St. Simon Place (KY); T-W. Bret Calhoun. Sales History: $49,000 RNA wlg '19 KEENOV; $40,000 ylg '20 KEESEP; $55,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSAPR; $85,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, $399,525. Last Start: 2nd GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 57. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

She's had one start at Churchill Downs and the result was a 9 1/4-length win in the GIII Pocahontas S. It was the best race of her life. So you know that she will handle the track. And she's going to have to run back to that race to have any chance. She's gone 0-for-3 since and is 0-2 on the year. However, she made a forward move last out when battling Echo Zulu in the Fair Grounds Oaks to lose by just a nose. Her jockey, Reylu Gutierrez, looks like a rising star after winning 51 races at the Fair Grounds meet.

8) VENTI VALENTINE (Firing Line–Glory Gold, by Medaglia d'Oro) O-NY Final Furlong Racing Stable & Parkland Thoroughbreds; B-Final Furlong Racing Stable & Maspeth Stable (NY); T-Jorge Abreu. Lifetime Record: MSW & MGSP, 5-3-2-0, $416,250. Last Start: 2nd GIII Gazelle S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 94. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

At odds of 11-10, she was the beaten favorite in the Gazelle. It was far from a bad race. She was second, losing by just 1 1/4 lengths, and got beat by a potential star in Nostalgic. But, at the same time, she had no excuse and the race showed that she belongs in the second tier when it comes to Kentucky Oaks runners. A good horse, but she'll be 40-1 or thereabouts at Churchill. Could clean up against New York-breds, but she deserves a shot in the Kentucky Oaks.

9) YUUGIRI (Shackleford–Yuzuru, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Sekie Yoshihara & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-2-2-1, $543,610. Last Start: 1st GIII Fantasy S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 114. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

Yuugiri is owned and was bred by Sekie Yoshihara and Tsunebumi Yoshihara, who live in Japan. She is trained by Rodolphe Brisset. She punched her ticket to the Kentucky Oaks with a win in the GIII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn, but that race, once Secret Oath opted for the Arkansas Derby, did not come up particularly strong. A better test may have been the GIII Honeybee S., where Secret Oaks trounced her by 9 1/4 lengths. The Oaks will be her fourth start at Churchill Downs. She broke her maiden there in September and then ran second in the Rags to Riches S. and second in the GII Golden Rod S. Another good horse who will be a big long shot in what is a loaded race.

10) Desert Dawn (Cupid–Ashley's Glory, by Honour and Glory) O/B-H and E Ranch, Inc. (AZ); T-Philip D'Amato. Sales history: $32,000 RNA yrl '20 OBSOCT. Lifetime Record: 7-2-0-2, $378,400. Last Start: 1st GII Santa Anita Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 108. Next Start: Kentucky Oaks.

Can an Arizona-bred win the Kentucky Oaks? She'll give it a shot. Was bred by and is owned by Elena and Hollis Crim of H & E Ranch, a 400-acre spread in Globe, Arizona. Normally, the winner of the Santa Anita Oaks would be among the top choices in the Kentucky Oaks, but that won't be the case with this one. She was the longest shot in the field of five at 14-1 and had been off the board in her three prior starts. That includes a sixth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, where she was beaten by 18 3/4 lengths. Ran a career best race at Santa Anita, but that probably won't be enough.

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Deja Vu All Over Again In the Ashland

If you think you've heard this story before, it's because you have.

On the opening weekend of the 2021 spring meeting at historic Keeneland, trainer Todd Pletcher led over a filly by leading sire Curlin out of an A.P. Indy mare in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. A little more than 102 seconds later, 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat was being unsaddled and 27 days later, was getting her picture taken after the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks. The high-profile connections of Nest (Curlin) will certainly be hoping that lightning strikes twice after the bay filly blew the doors off her rivals in the opening-day feature, establishing herself as a top-three chance in what shapes a very competitive renewal of the Oaks four weeks and about 70 miles away down Interstate 64.

Indeed, Nest was campaigned on a near-identical schedule to Malathaat last season, winning her maiden going long at first asking in September (Malathaat graduated over seven furlongs in early October) before adding the Tempted S. and the GII Demoiselle S. Unlike her year-older stablemate who raced off the layoff in the Ashland, Nest was given a single lead-up run and she delivered in spades, outclassing her rivals by a half-dozen lengths in the Feb. 12 Suncoast S. at Tampa.

Narrowly favored in the Ashland at 17-10, Nest was away only fairly, but was asked for a bit of speed by Irad Ortiz, Jr. and that enabled her to get out into the clear, albeit four wide at the entrance to the clubhouse turn. Chief market rival Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) showed the way in advance of the stretching-out Happy Soul (Runhappy), with Awake At Midnyte (Nyquist) not far away through even fractions. The latter launched a middle move to join the top two passing the half-mile pole, but Nest had the trio covered and tugged her way up outside to make more or less a line of four at the third corner. Interstatedaydream took them into the final three-eighths of a mile, as Happy Soul began to retreat, but Nest ranged up four deep at the 2 1/2-furlong pole traveling well despite the ground concession. Held together into the stretch, Nest was shaken up and stamped her authority on the race, drawing clear with every stride to prove a much-the-best winner. Cocktail Moments (Uncle Mo) rallied late to just beat out Interstatedaydream for second.

“Irad got her into a good, comfortable rhythm going down the backside, and we didn't want anyone to get away from us with the short run to the finish line,” said Pletcher, who–remarkably–had not won the Ashland until last year. “I knew when he had her revved up she was doing it pretty easily. Then she kicked on down the lane and he wrapped up on her late. So it was everything we could have hoped for.

The Hall of Famer added, “She's a filly that's improved all the time. We've always felt like as she matured and the races got longer, she was going to get better. I really liked the way she's been training since the Suncoast. She's just kept getting better and better.”

Pedigree Notes:

Nest, a full-sister to GI Santa Anita H. hero Idol, is the 17th top-level winner for her outstanding sire and is bred on the wildly successful cross over the legendary A.P. Indy that has also supplied Grade I winner and current WinStar stallion Global Campaign and GSW 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain, a live chance in Saturday's GI Carter H. at Aqueduct. Including mares tracing back to Seattle Slew, Curlin has also been responsible for Grade I winners Stellar Wind (champion), Classic winner Exaggerator, Clairiere, Paris Lights and Off the Tracks.

Nest's second dam is the talented Andujar, a Grade II winner and Grade I-placed in California and New York, who once sold for $2.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She was also the dam of SW & GSP Abstraction (Pulpit).

Marion Ravenwood was acquired by the Lysters' Ashview Farm for $400,000 in foal to Pioneerof the Nile at Keeneland November in 2017. That produce would go on to race for Pletcher as Dr Jack, third to Mandaloun in last year's Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park. Marion Ravenwood is the dam of the 2-year-old colt Lost Ark (Violence)–a $275,000 KEESEP yearling–was barren to City of Light last year and was most recently covered by Curlin and Quality Road.

Friday, Keeneland
CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND S.-GI, $587,488, Keeneland, 4-8, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.16, wf.
1–NEST, 121, f, 3, by Curlin
1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and House, Michael; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $358,050. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, $623,050. *Full to Idol, GISW, $416,964. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Cocktail Moments, 121, f, 3, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: River Maid (Ch. Female Sprinter-Can, GSW,$442,909), by Where's the Ring
2nd Dam: Rivermaid Dancing, by Riverman
3rd Dam: Perky Dancer, by Green Dancer
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($135,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $190,000 Ylg'20 KEESEP; $245,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-Dixiana Farms LLC; B-Mark Stansell (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $115,500.
3–Interstatedaydream, 121, f, 3, by Classic Empire
1st Dam: Babcock, by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Captivating, by Arch
3rd Dam: Andrea Ruckus, by Bold Ruckus
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($105,000 Ylg '20 KEEJAN; $130,000 Ylg'20 KEESEP; $175,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC; B-William D. Graham (ON); T-Brad H. Cox. $48,125.
Margins: 8 1/4, NO, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.70, 9.30, 1.90.
Also Ran: Awake At Midnyte, Sterling Silver, Happy Soul, Miss Mattie B, Heavenly Hellos.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Pletcher Seeks Second Straight Ashland Win

Todd Pletcher captured last year's GI Central Bank Ashland S. with the blue-blooded Malathaat (Curlin), who went on to take the GI Kentucky Oaks in her next start. The Hall of Famer looks to repeat in Friday's renewal with another daughter of Curlin named Nest. A dominant debut winner going two turns at Belmont in September, the $350,000 KEESEP buy checked in third in the Tempted S. there next out Nov. 5. Besting next-out Busher S. winner and Saturday's GII Gazelle S. contender Venti Valentine (Firing Line) by a neck in the Dec. 4 GII Demoiselle S. at Aqueduct, the bay romped by six lengths in her seasonal bow in Tampa's Suncoast S. Feb. 12. Top rider Irad Ortiz, who rode Nest to all three of her wins, will be at the controls Friday.

Brad Cox also saddled an Ashland winner turned Oaks winner when sending out Monmoy Girl (Tapizar) in the 2018 renewal. He has a strong contender this year in Flurry Racing Stables' Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire). That ownership group also campaigned Cox's 2020 Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil). A narrow winner of her career bow sprinting at Belmont June 25, the bay filly checked in second in Saratoga's 6 1/2-panel GII Adirondack S. Aug. 8 and was subsequently shelved for the season. Returning to action Mar. 13 at Oaklawn, Interstatedaydream put on a show in her first try around two turns, charging home to an 8 1/4-length score and earning an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

Keeneland stalwart Wesley Ward also sends out a live shot in Happy Soul (Runhappy). Second when unveiled in the slop at Keeneland in April of last year, the bay earned her diploma by 11 3/4 lengths next out over a fast track at Belmont in May. Wiring Belmont's Astoria S. by an equally large margin June 3, she was sent to the sidelines for the rest of her juvenile year and returned with a decisive win in Oaklawn's Dixie Belle S. Feb. 19. The $50,000 KEESEP acquisition tries two turns for the first time in this event with regular rider John Velazquez in the irons.

Doug O'Neill ships one in for this event in Reddam Racing's Awake at Midnyte (Nyquist). Opening her account in Arcadia Oct. 31, she missed by a nose when trying grass in the GIII Jimmy Durante S. a month later. A close second when getting back on dirt in the GII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 8, good for a 90 Beyer, the chestnut checked in fourth last time when extending to 1 1/16 miles in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. Feb. 19.

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