Churchill Readies for 146th Kentucky Oaks Day
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Photo: Coady Photography
Gamine is the even-money morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs
It didn't take long for employees and media venturing into Churchill Downs for the 146th Kentucky Oaks Day the morning of Sept. 4 to notice the differences this year as fans are not allowed to attend the event: They simply pulled into the gates and parked—no traffic, no shuttles.
With noticeable law enforcement and security presence on hand, there in part to monitor racial justice protests that could unfold near the Louisville track over the next two days, those entering had their temperatures checked and were asked standard questions about their health before entering.
This year's Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) calls for pleasant temperatures with a high of 81 degrees expected under partly cloudy skies. The forecast calls for temperatures of 79 degrees at 5:45 p.m., post time for the Oaks.
Churchill announced scratches at 9:10 a.m. Friday, ahead of the first post of 11 a.m. for a 13-race card. There are no scratches in the Oaks, where nine 3-year-old fillies are entered.
Two horses are scratched from the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1): Finnick the Fierce and King Guillermo.
Friday morning, the main track was listed as fast and the turf was listed as good.
HAMMONDS: Favored Gamine Draws Post 5 for Kentucky Oaks
The card features six stakes races, all graded, beginning with the Eight Belles Stakes presented by Twinspires.com (G2) at 3:05 p.m.
Scratches from stakes races include:
Purrfectly Claire and Perfect Happiness are scratched from the Eight Belles; both trainer scratches. That leaves just five 3-year-old fillies in that seven-furlong sprint.
In Race 9, the Edgewood Stakes presented by Forcht Bank (G2T), Outburst is scratched (trainer).
In Race 10, the Alysheba Stakes presented by Sentient Jet (G2), Bodexpress is scratched (trainer).
In Race 13, the Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes presented by Sysco (G2T), morning-line favorite Bound for Nowhere is scratched (trainer). Tiger Blood also is scratched (trainer). Also-eligible High Crime also is scratched.