Kentucky Oaks and Derby iPhoto Essay

With this year's Kentucky Oaks and Derby come and gone, I'm left with a lot of memories in the form of photos that I'd like to share.

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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."

Princess of Sylmar Becomes Oaks Royalty

Princess of Sylmar roared past Beholder in deep stretch to win the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 3 at Churchill Downs. At 38-1, she's the second highest-priced winner in Oaks history.

Kentucky Oaks 2013: Beholder Schooling

Kentucky Oaks contender Beholder, being 'schooled' in Churchill Downs paddock.

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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).

Beholder Holding Her Own for Kentucky Oaks

As in years past, 2012 champion juvenile filly Beholder might have been the expected and overwhelming favorite in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). But not this year.

Kentucky Derby News Minute - 4/30/2013

Lenny Shulman discusses which Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders appeared on the track today, when Lines of Battle is expected to arrive, and the weather forecast this weekend.

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Spendthrift Hopes for Big Oaks, Derby Weekend

Spendthrift Farm owner B. Wayne Hughes had plenty of horses to keep an eye on April 30 during the training time for those preparing for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and 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.

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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Lisa Danielle is KY Broodmare of the Year

Morton Fink's Lisa Danielle, the dam of Horse of the Year Wise Dan, was honored April 25 as Broodmare of the Year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association at its annual awards luncheon.

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.

After the Wire - 4/7/2013

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

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Beholder Punches Ticket to Kentucky Oaks

Spendthrift Farm's Beholder easily defeated five foes in the Santa Anita Oaks and will move on to contest the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) as one of the top choices.

Beholder Faces Five in Santa Anita Oaks

Two-year-old filly champion of 2012 Beholder will be the heavy favorite when she faces five foes in the April 6 Santa Anita Oaks for Spendthrift Farm and Richard Mandella.

Beholder Works 7 Panels for Santa Anita Oaks

Champion 2-year-old filly Beholder worked seven furlongs in company on a fast main track at Santa Anita Park March 29 as she closes in on her next scheduled start in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I).

Verrazano Tops NTRA 3YO Poll

Verrazano, impressive winner of the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II), leaps from fourth position a week ago to top this week's NTRA's weekly 3-Year-Old poll. Game On Dude is a solid No. 1 in the national poll.

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.

After the Wire - 3/3/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the Gotham Stakes, Santa Anita Handicap, and the Las Virgenes Stakes.

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Flashy Gray Surprise Favorite in Oaks Future

The only Kentucky Oaks Future Wager of 2013 closed the evening of March 3 with Flashy Gray the 6-1 betting choice.

Champ Beholder Back in Form for 'Virgenes Win

Compromised by a throat ulcer in her first start of the year, the real Beholder showed up in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) March 2 at Santa Anita Park, romping over seven 3-year-old filly opponents.

Beholder Tries to Make Amends in Las Virgenes

Champion filly Beholder will try to avenge her odds-on defeat to longshot Renee's Titan when they square off at Santa Anita Park in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I)

Beholder Drills Sharply for Las Virgenes

Eclipse Award winner Beholder worked five furlongs on Santa Anita's fast main track Feb. 24 in :59 3/5 under regular rider Garrett Gomez in preparation for the upcoming Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies.