Report: Kentucky Oaks unlikely for McGaughey’s Fly So High

While trainer Shug McGaughey assumes at this point that Saturday’s Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes winner Fly So High will return to the races after vanned off past the finish line, he told The Thoroughbred Daily News a try at the 2018 Kentucky Oaks is unlikely.

"It's sort of like with a Derby horse,” McGaughey told The TDN. “If you get one twist in your program, it's about over with. But she's a big filly and time is on her side. The news isn't perfect, but it's better than the alternatives.”

McGaughey said the 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon’s injuries were limited to a “tweak” in her left-front, suffered at some point on her way to a commanding Davona Dale score. The final margin at Gulfstream Park was three lengths, with Fly So High, who’s campaigned by Phipps Stable, making a late run from third to win it.

A $675,000 purchase, she was a heavy favorite to win coming out of back-to-back wins in maiden special weight and allowance optional claiming company. The 50 points earned in the Davona Dale likely would have been enough to make it into the Kentucky Oaks had she exited completely healthy moving toward the first Friday in May.