103 Kentucky Oaks nominations include no Baffert fillies
A total of 103 of the world’s best 3-year-old fillies, including champion 2-year-old Echo Zulu, were made early nominees to the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks on May 6.
No fillies currently trained by Bob Baffert, a three-time winner of the Oaks, were nominated. Baffert is currently under a two-year suspension by Churchill Downs.
The early nomination period to the Kentucky Oaks closed Saturday with a $200 payment. The 1 1/8-mile race will be staged for the 148th time at Churchill Downs.
Echo Zulu, owned by L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained by Steve Asmussen, recently began working toward her 3-year-old debut. The undefeated Gun Runner filly sports victories in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, $400,000 Frizette (GI) and $300,000 Spinaway (G1). Echo Zulu also is nominated to the Triple Crown.
Other top contenders that were nominated to the Kentucky Oaks include Chandelier (G2) winner Ain’t Easy; Golden Rod (G2) winner Dream Lith; Pocahontas (G3) winner Hidden Connection; Alcibiades (G1) winner Juju’s Map; Demoiselle (G2) winner Nest; Martha Washington winner Secret Oath; UAE Oaks (G3) winner Shahama; and Rachel Alexandra (G2) winner Turnerloose.
Fillies not nominated during the early stage can pay a $1,500 late fee until Saturday, April 16. After April 16, a supplementary nomination fee of $25,000 can be made at the time of entry.