Champion Vequist Among 106 Nominations to Kentucky Oaks

Champion 2-year-old filly Vequist, winner of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), tops the roster of 106 early nominations to the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs April 30.

Owned in partnership by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Swilcan Stable and trained by Butch Reid Jr., Vequist was a dominant two-length winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The daughter of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Nyquist  is based at Palm Meadows training center in South Florida and is entered in the Feb. 27 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. 

Other top contenders that were nominated to the Kentucky Oaks include Stonestreet Stables' Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) winner Clairiere and OXO Equine's runner-up Travel Column; Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing, and Nehoc Stables' Darley Alcibiades (G1) winner Simply Ravishing; and Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat. 

The 106 fillies nominated to the Oaks were made eligible by a $200 payment that was due Feb. 13. A complete list of nominations is available online. 

Trainer Todd Pletcher led all conditioners with nine fillies nominated to the Oaks followed by Kenny McPeek who had eight. 

Fillies not nominated to the Oaks can be made eligible through a $1,500 late fee due April 10 or a $25,000 supplemental nomination due at the time of entry. The Oaks field is limited to 14 starters, not counting also eligibles, with priority determined by points amassed during the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series. 

Like the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Oaks has been run each year without interruption since 1875. Last year during COVID-19, the two races were postponed until September. Derby nominations were previously announced.

The race that regularly precedes the Derby on the first Saturday in May—the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1T)—drew the nominations of 13 grade 1 winners, including defending champion Digital Age.

Run at 1 1/8 miles on turf, the race annually attracts some of the nation's top turf horses and drew 75 horses in total to its nomination list. Previous winners include 2019 Horse of the Year and champion turf male Bricks and Mortar; two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan; and Eclipse Award winners Manila, English Channel , Sky Classic, and Paradise Creek. Einstein won back-to-back renewals in 2008-09.

Digital Age is one of 17 horses from trainer Chad Brown's stable nominated to the Turf Classic.

Another accomplished turf specialist nominated to this year's race is Robert and Lawana Low's Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) winner Colonel Liam. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Colonel Liam joined six other stablemates on the nomination list, which is also online. 

The winner of the March 20 Muniz Memorial Classic (G2T) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will be granted an automatic berth to the Turf Classic as well as the Arlington Million Stakes (G1T), which could have its final running this year at Arlington International Racecourse after owner Churchill Downs Inc. announced plans to sell that property for development.

The winner of the Turf Classic also will be granted an automatic berth to the Arlington Million.

Late nominations can also be made to the Turf Classic.