Kentucky Oaks (G1) Day got off to a rousing start when SUNDANCE FEATURE ($8.18) took to the slop and won easily. She combined with Thoughtful for a $19.10 exacta. Juddmonte’s SIDAMARA ($6.22) looked sharp in the second with Sidamara the runner-up for a $34.64 exacta. Champion IDIOMATIC ($3.66) made her 2024 come back in the Fasig-Tipton La Troienne (G1) a winning one. A massive rainstorm adversely affected the remainder of the card although ALMOSTGONE ROCKET ($6.08) blitzed the twelfth race field.
As usual, the Churchill Downs track crew had the main in great shape for Kentucky Derby (G1) Day. PURE FORCE ($5.66) captured the opener and SCYLLA ($2.98) validated her favoritism in the second. MINDFRAME ($2.92) won the third with Cornishman second for a $9.32 exacta. VAHVA ($5.44) got big black type in the Derby City Distaff (G1) with nemesis Alva Starr the runner-up for a $13.20 exacta. CHILI FLAG ($10.06) followed in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) with stablemate Coppice second for a $31.12 exacta. PROGRAM TRADING ($10.18) continued trainer Chad Brown’s excellent day in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1). We didn’t see Mystik Dan in the Derby but managed another winner with GUN PARTY ($7.36) in the finale and a $46.08 exacta with Banned For Life.