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.

Live Lively, Davona Dale Winner, Euthanized

Grade II winner Live Lively, a 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly owned by Lee Lewis, was euthanized May 4 after suffering fractures to both sesamoids in her left foreleg during a morning work 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."

Velazquez Rides in First Race Since April 7

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who will ride undefeated Verrazano in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, returned to competition the afternoon of May 2 at Belmont Park, finishing seventh on his first mount since April 7.

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.

Orb Heads NTRA Pre-Derby Poll

Orb, winner of the Besilu Florida Derby (gr. I), heads the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll that came out April 29 in advance of the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

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.

Pedigree Analysis: Dreaming of A.P. Indy

by John P. Sparkman
In just about every way possible, A.P. Indy has been the ideal Thoroughbred of the international era of American racing and breeding.

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.

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.

Dreaming of Julia Represents Namesake Well

Barbara Banke's Dreaming of Julia, named after her daughter, has certainly made her presence known along the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) trail.

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).

Dreaming of Julia Devastates Gulfstream Oaks

Stonestreet Stables' homebred Dreaming of Julia left her connections dreaming of victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when she devastated the $300,000 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II) March 30 at Gulfstream Park by 21 3/4 lengths.

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.

Live Lively Puts in Gulfstream Oaks Breeze

Live Lively, expected to be one of the favorites for the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II) following two impressive wins at the meet, breezed a half-mile in :49.78 on the morning of March 24 at Palm Meadows.

Shanghai Bobby Stays Sharp for Florida Derby

Eclipse Award-winning Shanghai Bobby prepared for the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) at Palm Meadows Training Center on the morning of March 17, breezing five furlongs in company with Palace Malice.

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.

Live Lively Tops 'Julia in Davona Dale Theft

Live Lively got the jump on odds-on choice Dreaming of Julia in the $245,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) and never looked back while registering a front-running 1 1/2-length victory in her stakes debut Feb. 23 at Gulfstream Park.

Dreaming of Julia to Open Year in Davona Dale

In terms of previous accomplishments, grade I winner Dreaming of Julia towers over entries in the $250,000 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 23 at Gulfstream Park, but several fillies who have flashed brilliance await.