Soggy Start to Oaks Day; No Derby Scratches

"It's always sunny and 75 degrees at Churchill Downs," John Asher said jokingly, as he and others huddled under cover to dodge the deluge of rain falling on the backside of the Louisville, Ky., track early the morning of May 5.

In reality, to begin Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) day, the temperature was in the high 40s and rain was falling steadily—hard at times—leaving the track a sea of slop when most of the Derby horses went to train during the 5:30-5:45 a.m. time set aside for them to exercise. Due to the early first-race post time of 10:30 a.m., morning workouts ended at 8 a.m., two hours earlier than usual.

Also, with no scratches out of the body of the May 6 Derby field as of the 9 a.m. Friday deadline, the original 20-horse group remains intact, with also-eligibles Royal Mo and Master Plan scratched.

According to the National Weather Service, rain was to continue throughout the day, with chances of precipitation ranging from 60% at noon to 90% at 5 p.m. EDT. There is an 80% of rain at 6 p.m., with the 1 1/8-mile Oaks for 3-year-old fillies scheduled to be run at approximately 6:12 p.m.

As of 7 a.m., the main track was labeled "sloppy" and subject to change should there be a break in the precipitation, and the turf course listed as "good."

"According to the forecast, we will see dry periods throughout the day," said Asher, Churchill's vice president of racing communications. "This track dries out amazingly fast. The turf course actually needed some rain, so track superintendent Jamie Richardson was happy to see the rain. We have a really good drainage system under the turf course, but it could be yielding later on."

The executive said the Friday morning weather was not the worst he's seen during his lengthy tenure with the track and the good news was that no thunderstorms forecast.

Asher said the day's weather could impact attendance, although the large majority of attendees on Oaks day and the following day's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) purchase tickets in advance and are weather averse.

"The sun is a wonderful marketing tool, but advance ticket sales have been very good," Asher said, adding that track parking lots were already filling up when he arrived around 5:45. "We're coming off a record crowd for the Oaks last year and second-largest Derby crowd ever, and rainy weather does affect attendance a little bit. But the enthusiasm is out there and it is the Oaks and Derby and one thing we've found out over the last 143 years is that people find a way to get here and enjoy the day."

For handicapping purposes, Oaks runners with success on wet main tracks include Farrell (two wins in three off-track starts), Lockdown, Mopotism, and Daddys Lil Darling, each with one wet-track victory to their credit. Summer Luck, an also-eligible for the Oaks, has been scratched.

Scratches from today's stakes include Finest City from the La Troienne Stakes Presented by Spirited Funds (G1). She is cross-entered in the May 6 Humana Distaff Stakes (G1), and is expected to start there.