Top Notch Lady Breezes Toward Kentucky Oaks; Other Fillies Preparing

Top Notch Lady breezed five furlongs April 20 in 1:02.80 over the Churchill Downs strip in preparation for a start in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 5.

The move by the Mark Casse-trained daughter of Sultry Song ranked 24th among 34 at the distance.

Owned by Robert Wilson, Top Notch Lady enters the 1 1/8-mile Oaks off a 2 1/4-length win in the Bourbonette Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III) at Turfway Park in her lone start of the year.

Arindel Farm's Wait A While remains trainer Todd Pletcher's main hope for the Oaks. The daughter of Maria's Mon has hit the board all three of her starts this year, including an impressive 14-length win in the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. I). Most recently, she finished second in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I).

Wait a While is scheduled to work over the Churchill surface April 22.

Pletcher said that James Scartourchio's Ready to Please, winner of the Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn, remained only a "remote possibility" for the Oaks.

Charles Cono's Diplomat Lady is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs April 21. The Chris Paasch-trained daughter of Forestry won the Stonerside Beaumont (gr. II) in her most recent start. Earlier this year, she finished fifth in the La Virgenes and was fourth in the Santa Anita Oaks, both grade I.