Kentucky Oaks Notes, April 21

Following is a brief look at some of the horses training toward $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 1 at Churchill Downs.

 

Angela Renee/Eskenformoney—Siena Farm's Angela Renee, runner-up in the Central Bank Ashland (gr. I) in her most recent start, arrived at Churchill at 10:30 the morning of April 21 after a short van ride from Keeneland. She was one of five horses that arrived here from the Lexington track for trainer Todd Pletcher, a contingent that also included La Troienne (gr. I) hopeful Stopchargingmaria and recent Ben Ali (gr. III) winner Protonico. Pletcher's other Oaks contender, StarLadies Racing's Eskenformoney, was scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs mid-afternoon from South Florida, where she had been stabled at Palm Beach Downs.

 

Birdatthewire—Forum Racing's Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II) winner Birdatthewire jogged after the morning renovation break with Miguel Garcia aboard.

 

Condo Commando—Multiple graded stakes winner Condo Commando got her first feel of the Churchill racing surface Tuesday morning, jogging after the renovation break under trainer Rudy Rodriguez. "We got here a little after 5:30 last night and she shipped well," he said. "I just wanted to show her the track a little bit today. I will let her tell me when she wants to work." Joel Rosario has the mount on the filly, who has won five of six starts for her ownership group of Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and The Elkstone Group.

 

Forever Unbridled—Charles Fipke's Forever Unbridled galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Emerson Chavez early Tuesday morning.

 

Include Betty—Brereton Jones and Timothy Thornton's Include Betty visited the paddock and then galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Leo Garcia before the morning break. Lisa Sloan, assistant to trainer Tom Proctor, said the filly arrived at Churchill Downs at 1:30 Monday afternoon after the short ride from Keeneland where she had been training since a victory in the Fantasy (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park.

 

Luminance/Maybellene—Jill Baffert's Maybellene worked a half-mile in company in :48 2/5 over a fast track after the Tuesday morning renovation break. With Chris Landeros aboard, Maybellene worked with Holiday Camp and posted fractions of :12.60, :24.40, :36.80 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80. Trainer Bob Baffert's other Kentucky Oaks prospect, Luminance, galloped 1 1/2 miles under Jorge Alvarez before the renovation break.

 

Oceanwave—Gary and Mary West's Oceanwave galloped 1 1/2 miles after the renovation break under exercise rider Santos Rivera. Trainer Wayne Catalano said Rafael Bejarano would have the mount in Oaks. Bejarano won the 2010 Oaks aboard Blind Luck.

 

Puca—Donegal Racing's Puca galloped 1 1/2 miles before the morning renovation break with exercise rider Jo Lawson up.

 

Shook Up—Regis Racing's Shook Up tack-walked Tuesday morning.