Unlimited Budget May Take on Boys in Belmont

After bypassing the Preakness, trainer Todd Pletcher has a deep group of possible contenders for the Belmont Stakes, including Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) third-place finisher Unlimited Budget.

Fiftyshadesofhay Prevails in Black-Eyed Susan

Jockey Joel Rosario's remarkable run continued May 17 when he cleverly brought Fiftyshadesofhay from off the pace to win the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) at Pimlico Race Course.

Black-Eyed Susan: A Soft Spot for Emollient?

Emollient, nine-length winner of the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) in April, is the 9-5 favorite in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies entered in the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.

Pletcher Considers Fillies for Belmont Stakes

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddled filly Rags to Riches to victory in the 2007 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), is considering a pair of fillies he trains for this year's 1 1/2-mile classic at Belmont Park.

Winner, Other Oaks Runners Fine One Day Later

Trainer Todd Pletcher said May 4 the four Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) participants from his barn, including winner Princess of Sylmar, "came out of the race well."

Dreaming of Julia Headlines Star-Studded Oaks

Dreaming of Julia is the freshest on the minds of most leading up to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) due to her extraordinary 21 3/4-length victory in the March 30 Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. I).

Dreaming of Julia Draws Post 8 in KY Oaks

Dreaming of Julia, the remarkable 21 3/4-length winner of the March 30 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II), drew post 8 of 11 sophomore fillies and was installed the 3-1 favorite for the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Oaks Owners Weigh In on Derby Points System

A few days out from the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), it's interesting to ponder what might have been if the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) field was still based on earnings rather than points.

Eye-Catching Move for Filly Close Hatches

Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches drills a half-mile in :47 2/5 in advance of the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). The daughter of First Defence is unbeaten in three starts, all this year.

Pletcher Brigade Tops Kentucky Oaks Workers

Faced with a scheduling dilemma of wanting to work most of his classic horses in one day, trainer Todd Pletcher sent his contenders for the Kentucky Oaks to the Churchill Downs track shortly after it opened for training.

KY Oaks Name Game: 2013 Edition

Here are some of the explanations I received on this year's stellar field of contenders. Which one is your favorite?

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Pletcher's KY Oaks Fillies to Work April 27

Trainer Todd Pletcher's quartet of Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contenders, Dreaming of Julia, Princess of Sylmar, Silsita, and Unlimited Budget, galloped at Churchill Downs the morning of April 24.

Oaks Contenders Breeze at Churchill Downs

Several contenders for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), including four trained by Todd Pletcher, went to the track at Churchill Downs the morning of April 20 as they continued to work toward the May 3 filly classic.

Kentucky Derby, Oaks Fields Taking Shape

The fields for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the following day continue to take shape, with eligibility in each race to be determined by the new points system.

The Keeneland Files: McPeek's Busy Meet

Trainer Kenny McPeek shared thoughts on Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful Pure Fun, who will take on the boys in the April 20 Coolmore Lexington Stakes.

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Pletcher's Kentucky Oaks Trio on Worktab

Dreaming of Julia, 21 3/4-length winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II), led a trio of Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contenders worked by trainer Todd Pletcher at Churchill Downs the morning of April 14.

KY Oaks Contenders Arrive at Churchill

Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II)winner Dreaming of Julia and undefeated Unlimited Budget arrived April 8 at 6:50 p.m. EDT at Churchill Downs, where they will continue their preparations for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

After the Wire - 4/7/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the Wood Memorial Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, and Ashland Stakes.

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Second Chance Pays for Emollient in Ashland

Juddmonte Farms homebred Emollient established a clear lead early and then opened up on her dozen rivals in the stretch to register an easy victory in the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 6 at Keeneland.

Unlimited Budget's Family Runs Deep

Ocala Stud may no longer own undefeated Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Unlimited Budget, but the farm's association with the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I)-bound filly's family goes back nearly 60 years.

Unlimited Budget Takes Fair Grounds Oaks

Unlimited Budget continues to show limitless potential as the undefeated Street Sense filly appears poised for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) after a clear victory in the $500,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II).

Unlimited Budget, Flashy Gray Head FG Oaks

Undefeated Unlimited Budget and Honeybee Stakes runner-up Flashy Gray head a quality field that includes grade I winner So Many Ways in the $500,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 30 at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Live Lively, Dreaming of Julia Clash Again

She couldn't catch Live Lively in her seasonal debut five weeks earlier, but Dreaming of Julia figures to be much tighter for their next engagement in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II) March 30 at Gulfstream Park.

Champion Beholder Tops 134 Ashland Nominees

A total of 134 fillies, led by champion Beholder, have been nominated to Keeneland's $500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I), scheduled for Saturday, April 6.

Kentucky Oaks Draws 120 Nominees

A total of 120 fillies have been entered for the 139th running of Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), an increase of 27.7% compared with 2012 following the early nomination phase.