Kentucky Oaks: Thursday notes on reduced field of 13

Five G was scratched from Friday's Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks after trainer George Weaver was not happy with how she was training. The other 13 entrants all took to the Churchill Downs track on Friday morning.

Anna's Promise. Bell Racing’s Anna’s Promise galloped for trainer Carlos David during the 7:15-7:30 EDT training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses.

“It is a dream of all trainers to come and compete at Churchill Downs,” David said. “It is very special to have this opportunity, and it is a lot of pride for myself and my family.”

Ballerina d'Oro. Rodeo Creek Racing’s Ballerina d’Oro galloped at 7:15 for trainer Chad Brown.

Bless the Broken. Cypress Creek Equine and Madaket Stables’ Bless the Broken galloped a mile and a half under Genis Bracho for trainer Will Walden during the 7:15-7:30 training window for Derby and Oaks entrants.

Walden said Bless the Broken would not go to the track Friday morning.

Bless the Broken will exit post 13 under John Velazquez.

Walden was asked what he would prefer to see when the gates open on Oaks 151.

“Rain,” Walden said. “And I’d like her to be able to save ground into the first turn. She won’t be part of the pace.”

Drexel Hill, Simply Joking. Trainer Whit Beckman’s Kentucky Oaks duo of Drexel Hill, owned by Legion Racing, and Simply Joking, owned by Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner and Berkels0813, galloped early with Maurilio Garcia aboard.

Early On. C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch and Bradley Kent’s Early On galloped at 7:15 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Five G. Gatsas Stables’ Five G was scratched from Friday’s Kentucky Oaks after trainer George Weaver was not satisfied with how she was training coming into the race.

Fondly. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables’ Fondly galloped a mile and a half under William Humphrey during the 7:15-7:30 training period for trainer Graham Motion.

Winner of the Virginia Oaks on March 15 in her second start, Fondly will exit post 3 in the Oaks under Irad Ortiz Jr.

“I’d like to see a nice, clean trip,” said Motion, who indicated Fondly would go to the track Friday morning. “I would like to see her a little more forwardly placed, but I am leaving it all up to Irad.”

Good Cheer. Godolphin’s Good Cheer galloped during the 7:15-7:30 training window under Katie Tolbert for trainer Brad Cox.

La Cara. Tracy Farmer’s La Cara jogged a mile at 6:30 under Kevin Donnis for trainer Mark Casse.

The winner of the Ashland (G1) in her most recent start and the second choice on the Oaks morning line at 6-1, La Cara will be ridden by Dylan Davis from post 9.

Casse said La Cara would not go to the track Friday morning.

Asked what he would like to see from La Cara when the Oaks gates open, Casse had a simple reply. “Speed.”

Quickick. Greenwell Thoroughbreds’ late-running Quickick galloped a mile and a half under Rafael Rustrian during the 7:15-7:30 training window for trainer Tom Amoss.

Amoss, who won the 2019 Oaks with Serengeti Empress, said Quickick would not go to the track Friday morning.

Amoss was asked what he would like to see when the gates opened for the Oaks.

“I would like to see a sub :23 first quarter from La Cara,” Amoss said.

Quietside. Shortleaf Stable’s Quietside galloped at 7:15 under Daniel Ortiz for trainer John Ortiz.

Take Charge Milady. James Bell, Magdalena Racing and Kenneth Rhodes’ Take Charge Milady jogged at 7:15 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Tenma. Tenma got her business done early Thursday out of Barn 33, going trackside with exercise rider Eric Garcia at 5:15 for a good gallop around the Churchill Downs oval. It’s the last bit of serious exercise for the daughter of Nyquist before her date in nine-furlong dance Friday.

“She’s doing great,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “I’m happy with her.”

Some trainers like to put their horses on the track for an easy jog the morning of a race. Not so with Baffert. “No track for her tomorrow,” he noted.

The multiple-stakes winner will break from post 9 in the 14-horse Oaks field and have California’s top rider, Juan Hernandez, in the irons.