Nominations for Kentucky Oaks Due Feb. 21
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The early nomination deadline for the 141st running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs is Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Each early nomination to the May 1 race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles must be accompanied by a payment of $200.
The Kentucky Oaks shares its rich history and tradition with the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Both races were introduced in 1875 at the inaugural racing meet at the track originally known as the Louisville Jockey Club. Both the Oaks and the Derby have been run annually and without interruption.
The Oaks field is limited to 14 starters and up to four fillies designated as "also-eligible" to start. Should the race be overfilled, eligibility to compete in the Oaks is determined by points amassed during the "Road to the Kentucky Oaks" system. If one of more horses should scratch from the Kentucky Oaks before 9 a.m. on the morning of the race, fillies from the "also-eligible" list with the highest respective point totals would be allowed to compete.
The 2015 Longines Kentucky Oaks will be telecast live on the NBCSN.
Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Untapable won last year's Oaks en route to post-season Eclipse Award honors for outstanding 3-year-old filly.
Sharing the Feb. 21 deadline for early nominations is the 29th running of the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), which will run immediately prior to the Kentucky Derby on May 2. The 1 1/8-mile race for 4-year-olds and up on the Matt Winn Turf Course has become one of the nation's top races for older turf horses since its inaugural running in 1987.
Early nominations to the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic must be accompanied by a payment of $100.
Horsemen can nominate horses to either the Kentucky Oaks or Woodford Reserve Turf Classic by contacting Churchill Downs Racing's Kelly Danner via telephone at (502) 638-3825 or email at Kelly.Danner@KyDerby.com. Nominations also can be made via fax at (502) 638-3915. Nomination forms are available online at www.churchilldowns.com.
A late nomination period for the Kentucky Oaks will open Sunday, Feb. 22, and conclude April 8. Nomination of any 3-year-old filly to the Oaks during the late nomination phase will require payment of a $1,500 fee. There will be a final opportunity to make a filly eligible for the Kentucky Oaks through a supplemental nomination process that requires payment of a $30,000 fee at the time of entry April 28.
The 2014 running of the Kentucky Oaks attracted 121 early nominations.