Oaks/Derby Notes: All Kentucky Derby Horses Arrive

Arriving at 9:30 a.m. April 30 at Churchill Downs following an early morning flight from Florida were the final Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) conteders: undefeated Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner Maximum Security, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) winner Vekoma, the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Cutting Humor and Spinoff and Florida Derby (GI) runner-up Bodexpress, the lone Derby entry on the also-eligible list.

BODEXPRESS - Top Racing, Global Thoroughbred and GDS Racing Stable's Bodexpress, the lone also-eligible for Kentucky Derby 145 and needing one defection to make the main body of the race, arrived at Churchill Downs at 9:30 Tuesday morning.

BY MY STANDARDS - Louisiana Derby (GII) winner By My Standards had a routine 1 1/2-mile gallop Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs with trainer Bret Calhoun and team watching intently from the clocker stand.

"It's getting to be that time," Calhoun said. "Ready, or not, here we go."

Also in attendance Tuesday at the clocker stand was jockey Gabriel Saez who watched training alongside agent Derek Ducoing from the rail.

"I'd prefer if we drew somewhere between post five and 12," Saez said. "Any of the posts will work but I'd prefer somewhere in the middle. I think (By My Standards) will be able to handle any spot. He's just doing so well right now."

By My Standards drew post position three.

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CODE OF HONOR - William S. Farish's Code of Honor returned to the track Tuesday two days after completing his final work Sunday and jogged one mile under regular exercise rider Brian Duggan. 

"He jogged the wrong way and then walked through the paddock," trainer Shug McGaughey said. "He's going to school in the paddock later today so I took it feasy on him. He's on his toes. So far so good." 

Monday afternoon, McGaughey took time to attend the street dedication outside Churchill Downs for longtime Vice President of Communications, John Asher, who died unexpectedly last August. He was one of Asher's favorite trainers and he had nicknamed his grandson "little Shug" because he was born the same year as McGaughey won his first Kentucky Derby with Orb.

"It was another nice honor for John," McGaughey said. "And, well deserved. He sure did mean a lot to this place."

COUNTRY HOUSE/TACITUS - Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Juddmonte Farms' Tacitus and Mrs. J. V. Shields Jr. et al.'s Country House each galloped a circuit of the Churchill Downs main track during the special 7:30-7:45  Kentucky Derby-Oaks training session Tuesday morning. The pair worked five furlongs in tandem two days prior in 1:00 flat.

Like sire Tapit, Tacitus exits an impressive victory in Aqueduct's Wood Memorial (GII) and is one of the favorites for Saturday's 10-furlong affair. He will try to do better than his sire, who was ninth behind Smarty Jones as the 6-1 third choice in 2004 for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Michael Dickinson. A blue-blood, Tacitus is the first foal out of Juddmonte's five-time Grade I winner Close Hatches, who also came into Derby Week of her 3-year-old year off a big Aqueduct win. The eventual champion won the Gazelle (GII) four weeks before finishing seventh in the Kentucky Oaks (GI). 

Owned by the aforementioned global powerhouse stable of Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid bin Abdullah Al Saud, hopes have always been high for the gray, long-striding charge. Garrett O'Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte's North American operations, has watched Tacitus grow into his promise. 

"The satisfaction that Prince Khalid--indeed any owner-breeder gets from home breeding a top horse--is rooted in time, energy, history, despair, elation and just pure enjoyment that one can experience from the multi-generational involvement," O'Rourke said. "It takes so much direction, foresight and guidance along the way that, when the work bears fruit, the satisfaction is like that of a proud parent when the child excels and you see yourself and your efforts in the achievement. I think that is the source of Prince Khalid's pride in his families, as they are all his creations, not just with his financial backing, but with his innate horsemanship."

While the best laid plans of horse and man do often go awry, few things have been able to halt Tacitus' ascension leading into the toughest test of his career, including a roughly run Wood Memorial four weeks ago. 

"Going into the first turn, a horse who came from the outside angled over and took out about four horses," Mott said. "Tacitus was one of them and they turned us sideways momentarily, but he recovered really well. Once he got to the backside, he got a clear trip and was by himself. From there, he just had to time his run and try to run them down--and he did."

The remainder of the week will likely be routine for the two, with at least one paddock schooling session. Both have shown marked professionalism in their preparation, thanks in no small part to visibly laid-back dispositions.

"I think we're bringing horses that are really meant for a mile and a quarter and this type of race," Mott concluded. "I think they fit the profile physically, mentally and hopefully ability-wise." 

CUTTING HUMOR/SPINOFF - The Todd Pletcher-trained Derby colt duo of Starlight Stable's Cutting Humor and Wertheimer and Frere's Spinoff arrived safely at Barn 40 Tuesday morning at about 9:30 after a flight from West Palm Beach Airport near their Florida training center.  

Assistant trainer Ginny DePasquale reported that all was well with the pair, that they'd bedded down nicely.  

Pletcher, who took a quick flight from Florida to New York Tuesday, will be back in Kentucky this evening and at the barn Wednesday morning.

GAME WINNER/IMPROBABLE/ROADSTER - When you've won five Kentucky Derbys, 15 Triple Crown races, and completed two sweeps of the American classics, it's only natural that you get peppered about the few remaining pieces of history still out there for the taking.

The more Bob Baffert gets asked about his quest to equal Ben Jones' all-time mark of six triumphs on the first Saturday in May, though, the more the Hall of Fame trainer keeps reminding all who will listen that getting ahead of himself has never been the secret to him getting ahead. 

"I really don't think about that. I think about enjoying the moment.  I'm a day-to-day kind of guy," Baffert said. "I always go into these races, expect the worst, hope for the best because if you get too excited, you have a letdown. This game will...you've got to be careful with it. I'm already prepared for a beating so if we win, it's exciting." 

When it comes to their respective preparations for the 145th edition of the Run for the Roses, Baffert's trio of contenders have done little to quell the notion that another victory on the first Saturday of May could be his. On another ideal morning beneath the Twin Spires, champion Game Winner and his Grade I-winning stablemates Roadster and Improbable all put in routine gallops that had their conditioner enthused over the way they were traveling over the Churchill Downs track. 

Roadster and Improbable both came onto the track during the 7:30 a.m. time slot reserved exclusively for Kentucky Oaks and Derby contenders and galloped under Humberto "Beto" Gomez and Jose Contreras, respectively with the latter also visiting the starting gate. 

Schooling Improbable in the gate will be a regular part of the colt's agenda this week, Baffert said, as the son of City Zip acted up severely at the start of the Arkansas Derby (GI) prior to his runner-up finish behind Omaha Beach in that race. 

"Improbable was so lucky to even get in (to the Kentucky Derby) after his gate antics which could have been disastrous for him," Baffert said. "It's like one of those Final Four games where you get lucky and you win by a basket and then get in and (hopefully) win the whole thing." 

After going out at 6:30 a.m. to jog the previous two days, reigning juvenile male champion Game Winner took the track at 9 a.m. Tuesday along with Oaks hopeful Flor de La Mar to visit the gate and put in his first gallop since arriving from California.  

Game Winner finished just a nose behind Omaha Beach in the second division of the Rebel Stakes (GII) on March 16 his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) at Churchill last November - and then was caught by his late-running comrade Roadster in late stretch of the Santa Anita Derby (GI) on April 6. 

"I think they've all always been among the elite 3-year-olds this year," Baffert said. "Game Winner is a champion, he's right there and has never run a bad race. Roadster was a little bit late to the party but ends up winning a Grade I. They are horses who all have different little styles but at the end of the day they are all top 3-year-olds. 

"We've been spoiled the last few years with the horses we've brought here," Baffert continued. "This week is going to be fun every day, that's what makes the Derby so unique." 

GRAY MAGICIAN - Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber's UAE Derby runner-up Gray Magician arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday and got his first feel for the dirt track Tuesday morning. Leaving Barn 39 at 6:20 with assistant trainer Ashlie Campbell aboard, the son of Graydar jogged a lap. 

Trainer Peter Miller is flying to Louisville from California on Wednesday and will be at training Thursday morning. 

HAIKAL - Shadwell Stable's Haikal got his first feel for Churchill Downs Tuesday morning after vanning from his Belmont Park base in New York and arriving the day prior. Leaving Barn 41, the son of Daaher galloped about 11/4 miles over the main track. The Withers (GIII) winner is making his first start outside of Aqueduct.

"He just had an easy gallop," said Neal McLaughlin, assistant to trainer and older brother Kiaran. "He was good today."

Rajiv Maragh will be in the saddle atop the late-running homebred Saturday. 

LONG RANGE TODDY - Willis Horton Racing LLC.'s Long Range Toddy stayed in Barn 38 and walked the shedrow Tuesday one day after completing his major Derby work with a half mile breeze in :47.80.

One of the people watching Monday's work closely was jockey Jon Court, who will be aboard Long Range Toddy for the third straight time Saturday. The two pulled a mild upset in the first division of the Rebel Stakes (GII) March 16 when they closed late to overtake favorite Improbable by a neck and then returned to finish sixth in the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 13 over a sloppy track. 

When asked if he had learned anything from the Arkansas Derby, Court replied "I feel like I don't need to push him as hard early as I did in the Arkansas Derby. I just need to sit quiet, maintain my position and try to save what I can for the stretch because ultimately that's what's most important. That's what we had done in the Rebel."

Post positions for the Kentucky Derby were to be drawn later Tuesday morning and Court said he was hoping for a post "somewhere in the middle."

"Regardless of what happens at the draw, we'll deal with it," Court said. "I'm just hoping for an efficient trip. That's what I'm most concerned with."

Long Range Toddy drew post position 18.

MASTER FENCER - Katsumi and Yasuyo Yoshizawa's Koichi Tsunoda-trained Master Fencer got his first feel for the Churchill Downs dirt Tuesday morning after shipping in from Keeneland on Monday evening. The maternal grandson of Deputy Minister jogged one lap with a pony and then galloped one lap, all with Julien Leparoux in the saddle. 

"We are very fortunate to have one of the 20 stalls in the starting gate," said Katsumi Yoshizawa through a translator. "I have always wanted to be here and be part of the Kentucky Derby. I really appreciate Churchill Downs for giving me such an opportunity." 

Tsunoda, a former jockey, was pleased with his charge's gallop. He reported that the chestnut will likely do a bit of serious work Wednesday morning with Leparoux again in the saddle. 

"I've known about the Kentucky Derby since I was young, but I didn't expect to ever come as a trainer because there are not many opportunities," Tsunoda said. "It's a great honor and the horse is doing well. The quarantine is pretty strict in Japan and he was alone for a week before shipping. I was concerned about his conditioning (because of that), but he overcame everything and he's getting used to all circumstances--from quarantine in Chicago to training at Keeneland and now training here." 

MAXIMUM SECURITY - Gary and Mary West's undefeated Maximum Security arrived at Churchill Downs at 9:30 Monday morning from his South Florida training base.

OMAHA BEACH - The Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach put in another strong gallop Tuesday morning as trainer Richard Mandella looked on from alongside the five-furlong gap. Exercise rider Taylor Cambra was at the controls on the War Front colt as they both galloped and did a short session in the starting gate. 

"He stood in the gate just fine," Cambra said. "And out on the track he made me work today." 

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That's saying something for the 6-foot-1 former rodeo rider, but then Omaha Beach - owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farms - has been a mouthful all along.  

The big colt went through his exercises during the special Derby-Oaks training zone between 7:30-7:45 and he was - as he has been - "on it." Galloping out in the middle of the Churchill Downs oval, the Arkansas Derby (GI) winner pulled hard and bowed his neck for a good portion of his mile and a half journey.  

"I'm happy; he looked good," said Hall of Famer Mandella back at Barn 28.  

Omaha Beach has been in the primary care of one of the trainer's key stablehands, Jose Barrera, who has worked for Mandella for 36 years. He's one of a half-dozen employees in the California-based barn than have 30-plus years of regular work with the conditioner, and there are several others that have more than 20-plus years on the payroll. It is the trainer's way - hire good people and keep them.  

Barrera has traveled with many of the conditioner's stable stars to stakes assignments across the country for years. He remembers going on the road with aces such as Siphon, Gentlemen, Puerto Madero, Best Pal and Beholder. He recalls that Siphon and Gentlemen could be "tough to handle," but that the toughest of all was Beholder, the mighty champion mare "who was tougher than all the colts." 

But what about his current assignment - Omaha Beach?  

"Oh, he's easy," Barrera said. "Just a sweet, kind horse that's a pleasure to be around." 

Prior to the Derby Draw, Mandella said he'd be happy with whatever assignment they were given in the 20-horse field. "We'll take what we get and find a reason to like it," he said pragmatically. After his colt drew post 12 and rider Mike Smith said he "loved it," Mandella didn't have to say anymore.

PLUS QUE PARFAIT - Imperial Racing's UAE Derby (GII) winner Plus Que Parfait left Barn 9 at 7:30 Tuesday morning and continued his steady progression toward the Kentucky Derby (GI). The son of Point of Entry galloped 1 3/4 miles. Assistant trainer Tom Molloy was in the saddle. Trainer Brendan Walsh was pleased. 

"He felt really good today," Molloy said. "Today reminded me of Dubai before the UAE Derby. He had that same feeling." 

Walsh added. "Everything is good. He likes the track here and continues to do well."

One of the few in Derby field with form over the Churchill Downs dirt, the chestnut ridgling was third in maiden company over a mile in September two starts prior to finishing a game second in the 1 1/16 miles Kentucky Jockey Club (GII). 

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TAX - R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable's Tax galloped a mile and a half at Churchill Downs Tuesday the morning after arriving from New York.

Dean Reeves, who, along with his wife Patti, partnered with R.A. Hill Stable in joining Tax's ownership group, was on hand to watch the Wood Memorial (GII) runner-up stretch his legs in preparation for a start in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (GI). Tax will be the second Derby starter for the Reeves, who co-owned 2011 third-place finisher Mucho Macho Man, who would go on to win the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (GI).

Reeves recalled the "enormity" of his first Derby experience, but he doesn't remember all the details of Mucho Macho Man's 1 1/4-mile journey under the Twin Spires.

"That's more of a blur, because you can't see your horse and you can't really hear the announcer. You're trying to get an idea of where your horse is compared to everybody else. Everybody can find the one in the front. We really didn't pick him up until the turn from home," Reeves said. "You have that moment of letdown that you didn't win. Then you realize, 'The horse just finished third in the Kentucky Derby. That ain't so bad.'"

The Reeves bought into Tax's ownership group after trainer Danny Gargan claimed the son of Arch for $50,000 at Keeneland last October and a subsequent third-place finish in the Remsen (GII) at Aqueduct in December. The 3-year-old gelding proved to be a wise investment in his very first start for the Reeves when he captured the Withers (GIII) Feb. 2.

The Reeves watched on a cellphone in the paddock at Gulfstream Park, where they had a horse running in the Swale (GII).

"We're in the paddock watching him run and he comes up the rail. We're cheering away and realized we just won the Withers and have a horse with Derby potential," Reeves said. "It was pretty cool."

Tax went on to finish second in the Wood Memorial (GII) to earn enough points to qualify for the 20-horse Derby field.

"He (jockey Junior Alvarado) had to move early on him, but we wanted to make sure we were first or second," Reeves said.

VEKOMA - R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Blue Grass (GII) winner Vekoma arrived at Churchill Downs at 9:30 Tuesday morning following a flight from South Florida.

Vekoma drew post position xx for trainer George Weaver, who will be sending out his second Kentucky Derby starter. The Louisville native saddled Tencendur, who finished 17th behind American Pharoah in 2015.

WAR OF WILL - Though the post-position draw put a damper on his trainer's mood later in the morning, Gary Barber's multiple graded stakes winner War of Will had another day of touting himself with his time over the Churchill Downs track. 

With exercise rider Jose Vasquez in the irons, the Lecomte (GIII) and Risen Star Stakes (GII) winner visited the starting gate and put in another solid gallop. Trainer Mark Casse had tabbed the post-position draw as the last major hurdle to get over, a concern that became reality when War of Will landed in the No. 1 slot. 

"The post is going to be big, not just for us but for a few people," Casse said. "If we break running, we could be on the lead."

WIN WIN WIN - Live Oak Plantation's Win Win Win jogged a mile accompanied by a pony for trainer Mike Trombetta. Exercise rider Melanie Williams was aboard Win Win Win, who finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes (GII) in his most recent start.

In the Blue Grass, Win Win Win got up in the final jump to nose out Signalman for the runner-up spot and gain the 40 points needed to crack the top 20 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

"My thought process when they hit the wire was not on (the points)," Trombetta said. "Then it hit me right after that that he had made it."

Following the Blue Grass, Win Win Win returned to his home base at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland.

"He had a good 2 1/2 weeks there and breezed on Easter Sunday (1:01 over the all-weather training track)," Trombetta said. "We came here mid-week last week and everything has gone well."

Win Win Win finished his major preparation for Derby 145 with a half-mile work in company in :47.60 on Sunday.

Trombetta plans to have Win Win Win visit the starting gate Wednesday as part of his morning activity and a paddock schooling session is planned for Thursday's second race.

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KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE

BELLAFINA - The Kentucky Oaks favorite Bellafina got in a "nice and easy" gallop of a mile and a quarter Tuesday morning, according to assistant trainer Carlos Santamaria.

The bay 3-year-old filly owned by Kaleem Shah had jetted in from California Monday with a crew that included Santamaria, exercise rider Georgio Moreno and groom Garcia Ericson. She got her exercise in during the special Oaks-Derby training period at Churchill Downs between 7:30-7:45 a.m. 

A day earlier the daughter of Quality Road was drawn into post four in the 14-horse Oaks field and hung with the morning line price of 2-1. Her six graded stakes wins and $1-million-plus bankroll had a lot to do with that.  

Just as he has for all of her eight lifetime starts, California-based rider Flavien Prat will have the call Friday. 

Trainer Simon Callaghan remained in California for one more day to take care of his stable at Santa Anita, but had a plane reservation for today and a plan to join his filly at the barn Wednesday morning. 

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE - Six Column Stables and Randy Bloch's Champagne Anyone, listed as the co-third choice on the Kentucky Oaks morning line at 6-1, had a regular walk day at trainer Ian Wilkes barn.

With a chance of rain in the forecast for Friday, Wilkes was asked if he had any concerns about an "off" track for Champagne Anyone whose lone start on a sealed, sloppy track came here last fall in the Golden Rod (GII) in which she finished fourth.

"That is out of my control," Wilkes said. "I am not worried about it."

Champagne Anyone's sire is Street Sense, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby. Wilkes was the assistant to Carl Nafzger with Street Sense who ran twice on sloppy tracks, finishing third in his third start in the Arlington-Washington Futurity in a field of 10 and fourth in his final career start in the nine-horse Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) at Monmouth Park.

CHOCOLATE KISSES - The Honeybee Stakes (GIII) winner Chocolate Kisses came out shortly after 9 a.m. for a second straight morning and proceeded to gallop as well as school in the paddock and starting gate under exercise rider Kim Carroll.

DUNBAR ROAD - Peter M. Brant's Dunbar Road, on the outside looking in as the first also-eligible for Friday's Kentucky Oaks (GI), galloped Tuesday morning under exercise rider Kriss Bon.

  "She galloped and she looks great," trainer Chad Brown said. "She's ready if she gets in."

FLOR DE LA MAR - Godolphin Racing's Flor de La Mar came out at 9 a.m. along with stablemate Game Winner and galloped under Jose Conteras. The daughter of Tiznow is coming into the Kentucky Oaks off a runner-up effort behind Bellafina in the Santa Anita Oaks (GI).

JAYWALK - D.J. Stable LLC and Cash is King LLC's Jaywalk galloped a mile Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, where the daughter of Cross Traffic rolled to a 5 1/2-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) last fall.

Jaywalk has been winless in two starts this year, including a fourth-place finish at 1-5 in the Davona Dale (GII) at Gulfstream in her 2019 debut. The Kentucky-bred filly fared a little better in the Ashland (GI) at Keeneland, finishing third after setting a pressured pace.

Trainer John Servis saw "a ton" of progression in the Ashland.

"To be quite honest at the head of the lane, I thought she was done. Then she stayed on really, really well," Servis said. "Coming to the quarter-pole it looked like she was finished."

Jaywalk has further impressed her trainer during her morning gallops at Churchill Downs.

"I can't imagine her being any better than she is now," Servis said. "The goal all along has been the Oaks."

JELTRIN - ADR Racing Stable LLC's Jeltrin geared up for Friday's Kentucky Oaks (GI) with an open gallop at Churchill Downs early Tuesday morning.

"She open-galloped from the three-eighths pole to the half-mile pole," trainer Alexis Delgado said. "She was very strong. She was perfect. Two, three days before a race, I like to give them a happy gallop. Today, she was very strong."

Jeltrin earned her way into the Oaks field with a 51-1 upset victory in the Davona Dale (GII) at Gulfstream Park, where she stalked the pace in the one-turn mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

The Oaks will be the daughter of Tapizar's first start around two turns.

"She won't have a problem," Delgado said. "I expect her to be forwardly placed, but I will leave it up to Luis Saez. He knows how to ride her."

LADY APPLE - Phoenix Thoroughbreds III and KatieRich Stables' Lady Apple returned to the track Tuesday and galloped one mile after having a walk day Monday following her final work Sunday. 

The Curlin filly has ascended the ranks, going from maiden winner to stakes winner within the span of two months. She will be looking for her fourth straight victory Friday in the Kentucky Oaks.

"There's no doubt that she's progressed a lot," said Amer Abdulaziz, principal of Phoenix Thoroughbreds. "She's three out of three and ran a great race in the Fantasy. She's by a great classic sire (Curlin). (Trainer) Steve (Asmussen) loves her and thinks a lot of her this year. She needed a break last year and he gave her that time. She came back and she's been perfect since. She has a good chance and deserves to be one of the top three or four choices."

LIORA - When jockey Channing Hill saw where his mount Liora stood on the morning line for the Kentucky Oaks, he thought for a second he might be looking at a misprint. 

"Man, 20-1 was an insult. I was like 'Wow, we're getting no respect for the Fair Grounds people,'" Hill said.  

With her strong track record at Churchill Downs, Hill and trainer Wayne Catalano figure Liora is poised to make people sit up and take notice once the lilies are handed out Friday. 

The daughter of Candy Ride (ARG) received the stamp of approval from Catalano again Tuesday after galloping and schooling in the paddock as she looks to upset a field that includes champion Jaywalk and multiple Grade I winner Bellafina. 

Liora has earned both of her victories at Churchill Downs with her most notable score coming when she bested Grade I winner Restless Rider in the Golden Rod Stakes (GII) last November. Her form since then has teased of bigger things to come as she finished second in both the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (GII) and TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) at Fair Grounds her last two outings. 

"My filly loves this racetrack and my filly is just getting better," Hill said. "Adding blinkers last time really made an improvement.  I give Larry Jones' filly (Street Band) a lot of credit (winning the Fair Grounds Oaks) because at the eighth pole, if she was going to beat me I sure didn't think she was going to beat me by almost four lengths. So that was impressive because I thought that was one of the best races my filly has run. 

"I do feel like she is getting overlooked though. I wouldn't be surprised if I win. Everyone is hoping they win, but if I cross that finish line first, I would not be surprised with this filly."

MOTION EMOTION - Mark DeDomenico's Motion Emotion came out to train at 7:30 a.m. and galloped 1 1/4 miles under Raul Vizcorrando. 

"She's doing great, just super," trainer Tom Van Berg said. "I'm very happy with her."

The speedy filly, who is coming off second-place finishes in both the Honeybee (GIII) and Fantasy (GIII) Stakes at Oaklawn, drew post eight and is 15-1 on the morning line.

"The eight is perfect," Van Berg said. "The only thing I wish was that Serengeti Empress was to the inside of us. But, she almost has to go from her post (13). I'm very happy we have Mike Smith on her again. He knows her now."

The Hall of Famer Smith, who also rides likely Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach, rode Motion Emotion for the first time in the Fantasy.

OUT FOR A SPIN - Accompanied by Dallas Stewart's assistant Marcelino Jacuinde aboard stable pony Bucky, Ashland Stakes (GI) winner Out for a Spin had a routine 1 1/2-mile gallop with Emerson Chavez aboard Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Owned by Commonwealth Stable, Randy Bradshaw and Stonestreet Stables, Out for a Spin drew the rail for Friday's Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).

"We've got a great rider and a great trainer on our side," Commonwealth Stable's Sam Samsel said. "We are so thrilled to be here and just wish the best for our filly."

POINT OF HONOR - Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stetson Racing's Point of Honor, the second also-eligible for the Oaks, arrived at Churchill Downs at 9:30 Tuesday morning following a flight from South Florida.

Trained by George Weaver, Point of Honor has won two of three starts and most recently finished fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) on March 30.

John Velazquez has the mount should Point of Honor get in the starting gate. 

POSITIVE SPIRIT - Trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who works many of his own horses, brought Michael J. Ryan and Gerry Dilger's Positive Spirit onto the Churchill Downs track Tuesday morning after shipping over from Keeneland on Monday.  

"She just galloped almost 1 1/2 miles," the native of Tours, France, said. "She schooled in the paddock. She showed good energy, and she handled the track pretty good." 

Positive Spirit, who broke her maiden last November at Churchill Downs, put in a bullet workout April 21 with Brisset, going a half-mile in :47.20 at Keeneland. The filly, who drew the No. 6 post, is 30-1 on the morning line, with Manny Franco scheduled to ride.

Ryan has been one of Brisset's top clients since he went out on his own in 2017 after a dozen years working as an assistant to Bill Mott. 

"Mr. Ryan has been a big client of us, and he's supporting us a lot," Brisset said. "He really likes Keeneland, especially for preparing young horses, and he came to the barn and I guess he liked the way we were set up, and decided to send the filly to us. He never put any pressure on us, just told us let's see where she's taking us, and I guess she's taken us pretty far."

The possibility of rain on Oaks Day doesn't worry Brisset. "She's galloped on a sealed track, but I don't know how she'd handle it in a race. You never know until you try it."

Working with some of the best horses in France and the U.S. has Brisset growing his stable very quickly.

"Having a horse in the Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby is why we're here working every day," Brisset said. "I got lucky enough all my life to be around good horses, with my previous job and with Bill. You learn how to get them ready. Last year, Quip was qualified for the Derby, because physically we didn't like the way he came out of the Arkansas Derby (GI), and it was the right thing to do for the horse. 

"It would have been nice to have one in the Derby," he continued, "in the first full year of training. So we passed, but this year, it looks like the filly took us all the way to the race on Friday, and if everything goes right, we'll have our first runner in the Oaks."

Brisset's wife, Brooke, who works alongside her husband, was in the barn Tuesday morning, as was their infant son, Ryan. "He'll be six months old the day after the Derby," Brisset said. 

RESTLESS RIDER - Ashland Stakes (GI) runner-up Restless Rider emerged from Monday's four-furlong workout in good shape, and jogged under regular exercise rider Danny Ramsey, said Greg Geier, an assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek, who was at Keeneland Tuesday.

The Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm filly drew the outside No. 14 post for the Oaks. Brian Hernandez Jr. will be aboard Restless Rider, who was made the 6-1 co-third choice along with Champagne Anyone. She was clocked in :49.60 for the half-mile. 

SERENGETI EMPRESS - Trainer Tom Amoss had Joel Politi's Serengeti Empress, who drew the No. 13 post in Friday's Kentucky Oaks (GI), on the track for a gallop Tuesday morning. 

"It was a typical day," Amoss said of the filly, who is an 8-1 chance on the morning line along with Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) champion Jaywalk. "She had a really good day today, full of energy, eager to do more. That's how you want to see them before the race. You want them to show all those things and still be relaxed." 

Serengeti Empress was out with regular exercise rider Francisco Herrera for a 1 1/2-mile gallop.

STREET BAND - Street Band stood in the gate and galloped one mile Tuesday morning under the watchful eye of trainer Larry Jones, who is seeking his fourth Kentucky Oaks victory. 

"She's doing good," Jones said. "All the hard stuff is behind us now."

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Street Band, a daughter of Istan, enters the Oaks off a mild upset in the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) March 23 at odds of 10-1. The filly spent the winter at Fair Grounds under the care of assistant Corey York, while Jones spent the majority of his time at Oaklawn. 

When asked if Street Band's success was a surprise, Jones replied, "We've had others from the family, so that was the surprise. We had others we really liked and they never materialized. She's kept going and hasn't backed up.

"In the Fair Grounds Oaks, I was looking for black type and told (jockey) Sophie (Doyle) to ride for third. I didn't want her going out with Serengeti Empress and costing us a placing. I told her if something happens, which it did (the front-running Serengeti Empress stopped suddenly when she bled), we'd be right there. When she passed that horse, she got some confidence and when she saw she was getting closer to Wayne's (Catalano) filly, (Liora) she dug in and tried hard. She's a talented filly."

Street Band races for her breeders Larry Jones, Cindy Jones and Ray Francis as well as new owners Medallion Racing and Myracehorse.com, who purchased shares in the filly after her most recent race.