Defining Purpose (Cross Traffic), upset winner of the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 7, will ship to Churchill Downs either this coming Monday or Tuesday to prepare for a start in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks May 5.
“Defining Purpose came to us in late spring last year,” said trainer Ken McPeek, who was unsaddling an Ashland winner for the third time in his career. “She is the first horse I have received from Collete Vanmatre. She told me to see what I thought of her and we put her in our program. From the beginning, she was always very forward. Very enthusiastic and liked her job. She did everything we ever asked.”
Amelia Green, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher indicated that 'TDN Rising Star' Julia Shining (Curlin), a close third in the Ashland, emerged from the effort none the worse for wear and is scheduled to ship across to Louisville Apr. 16 for a potential Oaks bid. The Stonestreet runner currently has 46 points, good for 14th place in the standings, which could leave her on the outside looking in depending on the other results from Saturday. Punchbowl (Uncle Mo) picked up 40 points towards the Oaks and could find herself in a similar quandary as Julia Shining regarding an Oaks berth.
Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) was good enough to be named the champion of her generation last season, but also faces a somewhat uncertain fate for the first Friday in May. The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner has amassed 48 points, currently 12th in the standings. She was only sixth in the Ashland.
“She's good this morning, but yesterday, it just wasn't her day,” trainer Mark Casse said. “We'll take her to Churchill and see how she trains, but she may not get in [to the Oaks].”
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