Tagged: Churchill Downs

A field of 11 is set for Friday’s running of the 139th Kentucky Oaks.

The post positions for the fillies-only race were drawn this  morning at Churchill Downs.

The early favorite, at 3 -1, is Dreaming of Julia, one of four Todd Pletcher-trained entries.    Jockey John Velazquez will be aboard.

Dreaming of Julia is coming off an impressive victory last month in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, which she won by nearly 22 lengths. 

She'll  break from post position eight in the Kentucky Oaks.

Churchill Downs is revising the items people can bring into the racetrack during the Kentucky Derby and Oaks because of security concerns raised from Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon.

Added to the list of banned items are coolers, fireworks, noisemakers, laser lights/pointers, mace/pepper spray and purses larger than a foot in any dimension. You'll be able to buy a Styrofoam cooler and ice at the track at "comparable" prices to retailers, Churchill Downs says.

Kentucky Derby Festival officials  say all festival events will go on despite the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

KDF President Mike Berry said Monday nothing will be canceled. The festival puts on 70 events around the Kentucky Derby, including the massive Thunder Over Louisville air and fireworks show set for Saturday.

Festival officials estimate some 800,000 people could show up along the Ohio River waterfront in Louisville and southern Indiana to watch the annual show.

Churchill Downs has been given the go-ahead to offer a third racing meet starting next year.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted Tuesday to give the track a third live racing meet in September.

The schedule will be added to Churchill's traditional spring and fall meets.

The 12 additional dates will be Churchill's first all-September meet since 1890. The dates have traditionally gone to Turfway Park in northern Kentucky.