Ava's Grace

Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace (Laoban), runner-up to Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) in the GIII Fantasy S. earlier this month, will scratch from Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, according to a tweet from Churchill Downs. The tweet went on to say trainer Robertino Diodoro was not pleased with her current condition. Daily Racing Form's David Grening reported the filly's right shoulder is the concern. A nuclear scan is being scheduled. In addition to her Fantasy placing, Ava's Grace was third in last summer's GII Adirondack S. She was 50-1 on the morning...

Paul Sharp thought he had a good group of 2-year-olds at his farm over the winter and those trainees are proving the Ocala horseman right with a string of five maiden winners in the last five days, plus two graded stakes placings at Del Mar and Saratoga. "It always gives us a lot of gratification when these horses go on to win," Sharp said Wednesday, shortly after Ava's Grace (Laoban)'s third-place finish in the GII Adirondack S. at Saratoga. "They can win first or second time out and usually the...

Ava's Grace, a filly from the first crop of Laoban, was the second juvenile of the day to provide a son of Uncle Mo with their winner, following Garoppolo, who became the first victor for Outwork Friday at Belmont. Dipatched at 6-1 in this career bow, the bay kept close tabs on the leader from a ground-saving fourth through a :22.96 first quarter. Posing a challenge as the half went up in :46.58, she wore down Sariah Sariah (Tonalist) late to win by a half-length. Laoban, who was also campaigned...