Daddys Lil Darling tunes up for Kentucky Oaks 2017 (VIDEO)

Jockey Julien Leparoux was in the midst of a flurry of activity Friday morning after the renovation break.

After working Toyota Blue Grass (G2) winner Irap a mile, Leparoux dismounted from the colt as soon as the pair walked off the track and ran several feet to get a leg up on Normandy Farm’s homebred Daddys Lil Darling, second in the Central Bank Ashland (G1) on April 8 here.

Trainer Kenny McPeek wanted Leparoux to ride Daddys Lil Darling in today’s work, her final move before next Friday’s $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1), because he assumes the mount on her from regular rider Robby Albarado, who was injured when his mount stumbled and he was unseated at the start of the eighth race at Keeneland on Sunday.

McPeek had his exercise rider Danny Ramsey warm Daddys Lil Darling up on the track before Leparoux was able to climb aboard.

With Ramsey moving to ride workmate Wholehearted, Daddys Lil Darling and Leparoux worked five furlongs in company in 1:01.80. 

Keeneland clockers caught the final quarter-mile in :23.80 and a gallop-out time of 1:15.

“It was just a nice maintenance work,” McPeek said. “We wanted to let Julien get the feel of her.”

Today’s work was the second for Daddys Lil Darling since the Central Bank Ashland. A week ago, the Scat Daddy filly worked a half-mile in :47.40.

McPeek said Daddys Lil Darling, who has two wins in eight starts, including last year’s Pocahontas (G2) at Churchill Downs, likely will ship to Churchill on Monday. He plans to school the filly in the Churchill paddock on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Keeneland will celebrate the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with parties to suit everyone’s style, from a casual picnic in the Paddock to the Derby Bash at the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center. Fans will be able to watch and wager on the races from Churchill Downs and major tracks around the country.

 

On Oaks and Derby Days, fans may picnic in the Paddock and Walking Ring and view the races on the large video board overlooking the Paddock or sit in the Grandstand and watch Churchill’s races on the infield tote board. More than 1,000 TVs throughout the Grandstand will show racing.

 

Admission to Keeneland is free on Oaks Day and $5 per person on Derby Day when children 12 and younger will be admitted free. Gates open at 9 a.m. ET and parking is free on both days.

 

Tables in Keeneland’s dining rooms on May 5-6 and the Derby Bash are sold out; however, private dining options, including a limited number of Keeneland’s corporate suites for eight guests, are still available for both days. 

The corporate suite rental includes eight admission tickets, eight programs and four parking passes. For more information or to make reservations, contact Morgan Whitney at mwhitney@keeneland.com or 859 288-4322.

From 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Keeneland will host Party in the Paddock, featuring drink specials, live music and the simulcast of the Kentucky Oaks. Post time for the Oaks is approximately 5:49 p.m.

 

On Derby Day, fans will celebrate the Derby across Keeneland grounds. Children’s activities, including pony rides ($5), crafts, face painting and games, will be held in the Lower Club from 1-5 p.m. The Paddock will host live music from 1-6 p.m., and a hat contest will take place there at 3 p.m. Post time for the Derby is approximately 6:24 p.m.

 

The Hill, Keeneland’s official tailgating lot, will be open Derby Day with food trucks, live music and The Keeneland Shop kiosk from 1-6 p.m. A jumbo TV will show the races, and fans will be able to use self-service wagering machines.

 

Here are some related details:

 

Advance wagering on the Oaks full card will be available at Red Mile only and start Thursday, May 4, at 12:15 p.m.

 

Advance wagering on the Derby full card and Oaks-Derby Double will start Friday, May 5, when drive-thru windows at Keeneland will open at 8 a.m. and begin at Keeneland Grandstand Mutuels and Red Mile at 10 a.m.

Patrons also can watch and wager on simulcast racing on Oaks Day and Derby Day at Red Mile.

On Derby Day, Red Mile will have a jumbo TV on the track and live Bluegrass music on the apron.