Ava's Grace Scratched From Kentucky Oaks

Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace  has been scratched from the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) field and is being sent to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington for a full evaluation, according to her trainer Robertino Diodoro.

"It's just bad timing," Diodoro said. "We're not sure exactly what the problem is, so she's going to Hagyard for a scan. I'm surprised it didn't show up after her work. She had been doing so well. We're disappointed, obviously."

Ava's Grace breezed April 23 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Kentucky Oaks. The Laoban   filly had drawn post 7 in a field of 14 and had jockey David Cohen scheduled to ride. She was listed at 50-1 odds on the Kentucky Oaks morning line.

The bay filly was a debut winner at Ellis Park last summer at 2 and also finished third in the Adirondack Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course. She opened 2021 with a third-place finish in an allowance optional claiming event at Oaklawn Park March 4 and earned her way into Oaks contention with a runner-up effort in the April 3 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at the Arkansas track.

Cypress Creek campaigned Ava's Grace for her two starts this year. At 2, Ava's Grace was campaigned by her breeder, Southern Equine Stables, which also had her in training with Diodoro.

In partnership with Arnold Bennewith and Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek campaigns Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contender Keepmeinmind . Diodoro trains the Laoban colt, another Southern Equine-bred, who will break from post 4 with Cohen up.