Fox Hill Farm's undefeated Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro), champion 2-year-old filly of 2015 and 'TDN Rising Star', topped 112 nominations Tuesday for the 142nd $1 million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks.
The 3-year-old filly classic, to be run May 6, also drew nominations from several other top contenders, including 'TDN Rising Stars' Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss), Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini) and Carina Mia (Malibu Moon).
Songbird dazzled in the GII Las Virgenes S. in her 3-year-old debut Feb. 6, while the undefeated Cathryn Sophia was very impressive when dominating the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Saturday.
Seven-time Eclipse Award winner and two-time Kentucky Oaks winner Todd Pletcher led all trainers by nominating 23 fillies to the race. Two-time Oaks winner Steve Asmussen nominated eight fillies and two-time Oaks winner and reigning Eclipse Award-winner Bob Baffert made five fillies eligible.
Stonestreet Stable LLC and Mathis Stable LLC tied as top owner with four Oaks nominees, owned either alone or in partnership, while Godolphin Racing LLC and LNJ Foxwoods each nominated a trio of runners.
Other notable names nominated to the Oaks include: Magdalena Racing's GII Pocahontas S. winner and GI Alcibiades S. runner-up Dothraki Queen (Pure Prize); Agave Racing Stable's GI Starlet S. winner Street Fancy (Street Sense); Mike Rutherford's Stageplay (Curlin), runner-up to Carina Mia in the GII Golden Rod S. and winner of the GIII Silverbulletday S. at Fair Grounds; Carl M. Moore Management's GIII Delta Princess S. heroine Jet Black Magic (Hold Me Back); L N J Foxwoods' GI Frizette S. victor Nickname (Scat Daddy); Winchell Thoroughbreds' recent allowance winner Adore (Big Brown); and Phipps Stable's unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Browse (Medaglia d'Oro).
Final entries for the Kentucky Oaks will be taken May 3. The Oaks field is limited to 14 starters with four also-eligibles. Eligibility to compete in the Oaks is determined by points amassed during the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” prep race series. Should one of more fillies scratch from the Oaks before 9 a.m. ET on the day of the race, fillies from the also-eligible list would draw in based on highest point totals.
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