Oaks Day Begins With Big Horses on the Track
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Well before sunrise May 1, the first horses on the track at Churchill Downs were hopefuls for that day's Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Not surprisingly, the first horse on the track when it opened at 5:45 a.m. EDT during a 15-minute window designated for Derby and Oaks horses only was Zayat Stables' Mr. Z, conditioned by four-time Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
He was followed not long afterward by the Bob Baffert-trained tandem of American Pharoah, the Derby morning-line favorite, and Dortmund, the second choice.
"My work is done; nothing to do but wait," said Baffert, his voice raspy from a slight cold he has developed since being in Louisville.
Returning to the track after a day off was Ken Sarah Ramsey's International Star. Trainer Mike Maker had given the colt a break Thursday and said there were no problems.
With the National Weather Service forecasting sunny skies and a high temperature of 72 degrees Friday and 77 on Saturday, Churchill Downs officials are expecting a large turnout both days. The record Oaks attendance of 116,046 was set in 2010 and the 165,307 figure for the 2013 Derby is the highest to date.
"We play outdoors so we rely on the weather for our best days," said John Asher, vice president of racing communications for Churchill. "If advanced ticket sales for the about 60,000 seats are any indication, there is more enthusiasm than usual out there.
"I sure wouldn't be surprised if we flirted with the Oaks record today."