By Steve Sherack
LOUISVILLE, KY – Not even some very unsettled weather can spoil this GI Longines Kentucky Oaks day.
Arguably the best field ever assembled for the Oaks, any of the following 'big four' are worthy of top billing.
Nest (Curlin) was given the slight nod at 5-2 on Mike Battaglia's morning-line, and she is certainly a deserving favorite. Campaigned in partnership by Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, Nest has won her two starts for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher this season by a combined margin of 14 1/4 lengths, led by a powerful stalk-and-pounce victory in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. Apr. 8. She's looked the part training beneath the Twin Spires as well, including a four-furlong workout in :48 3/5 Apr. 29.
Pletcher, also represented by longshots Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) and unbeaten Dubai invader Shahama (Munnings), won his fourth Oaks last year with Malathaat, who, like Nest, is by leading sire Curlin.
They'll all have to catch champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner). Last year's front-running GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner made it a perfect five-for-five with a hard-fought, nose decision over the re-opposing Hidden Connection (Connect) while making her belated sophomore debut in the GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 26. Two-time Oaks winning conditioner Steve Asmussen trains Echo Zulu for L and N Racing LLC and Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC.
Kathleen O. (Upstart) will put an unblemished record of her own on the line following a visually impressive come-from-behind win with a field-best 98 Beyer Speed Figure in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks Apr. 2. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey won the Oaks back in 1993 with Dispute. One of the feel-good stories of the weekend, Kathleen O. is the first racehorse owned by 84-year-old Pat Kearney, who races under the banner of Winngate Stables.
Seeking his fifth Oaks victory, the legendary 86-year-old D. Wayne Lukas will also have plenty of folks rooting for him as well. Sitting atop the division following a devastating performance in the GIII Honeybee S. Feb. 26, Secret Oath (Arrogate) was third as the favorite after an impossible trip against males in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 2. Drawn on the rail, Luis Saez takes over the reins from Luis Contreras on the Briland Farm homebred.
Looking for a longshot?
Godolphin homebred Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro) isn't impossible at what has to be a huge price. She's caught the eye during training hours this week and could be getting good at the right time for Hall of Famer Bill Mott after punching home nicely along the rail in the GIII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct Apr. 9.
The Kentucky Oaks, one of seven graded stakes races on Friday's loaded 13-race program at Churchill Downs, has a post time of 5:51 p.m. ET.
Friday's rainy forecast in the Louisville area is calling for a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to weather.com.
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