3 minute read

The scandals continued in Derby Kentucky when favourite Forte was scratched by the vets.

This was on the day before the Oaks and supposedly due to a stone bruise picked up on Wednesday but he had trained OK on Thursday morning.

To start with Oaks day: The Alysheba went with the top three in the market filling the top three places although not in that order – Smile Happy got the win from Art Collector and West Will Power.

The Eight Belles saw a thrilling finish between the eventual winner Red Carpet Ready by a head from favourite Munny's Girl, and Accede third.

Bit of an upset in the La Troienne when Played Hard got the win over last year's Oaks winner Secret Oath.  Played Hard is by Into Mischief (haven't they had fun naming his offspring) and went off at 9/1 for Phil Bauer and John Velazquez.  Search Results was third

The Edgewood went to Heavenly Sunday, by Candy Ride, 9/1 for Cox-Geroux.  Revalita was ¾ l back in second with Mission of Joy a beck away in third and Papilio, the Starspangledbanner product was fourth.

Pretty Mischevous provided her sire Into Mischief with his 17th Gr 1 win.  She started at 10/1 so something of an upset and the second Gambling Girl was only a neck away – 13/1 for Pletcher – Irad Ortiz.  The Alys Look was the third of Brad Cox's runner and the only one to collect and she was on 30/1!  This was a great win for Godolphin and she's a home bred as well.  It was the first Oaks win for trainer Brendan Walsh, jockey Tyler Gaffalione and owner Godolphin.