Kentucky Oaks: Bella Ballerina Scratched; Resist Draws In
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Oakslineup underwent another adjustment Thursday morning when Bella Ballerina was withdrawn because of a minor leg injury, trainer Brendan Walsh confirmed. The scratch means all three of the original also‑eligibles will now start in Friday’s race.
Walsh described the issue as a small “ding” and said the setback shouldn’t keep the filly sidelined long. Bella Ballerina trained Wednesday but did not go to the track Thursday.
Resist Gets Her Chance
The final filly to move into the field is Resist, who trainer Tom Drury Jr. said Thursday morning would indeed run in the Oaks.
“You certainly don’t wish anything bad on anybody else, but we kind of treated her all week as if she was running and figured we’d play the waiting game, and it worked out for us,” Drury said. “Obviously, sorry for the ones that it didn’t work out for, because I’ve certainly felt that as well.”
Resist has made all four of her starts at Turfway Park, finishing third in both the Cincinnati Trophy and Bourbonette Oakson Tapeta.
“She’s been going the right way,” Drury added.
How the Field Evolved
When entries were taken last Saturday, two fillies who were high enough on the points list to make the field — Paradise and Lorelei Lee — instead opted for other races on Friday’s card. Paradise will shorten up in the Grade 2 Eight Belles, while Lorelei Lee switches from Tapeta to turf in the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes.
Even without them, entries for the Oaks totaled 17 fillies, exceeding the 14‑horse limit. Based on qualifying‑points standings, the also‑eligibles — in order of preference — were Lovely Grey, Nycon, and Resist.
Lovely Grey, second in the Bourbonette Oaks, was the first to draw into the race after Bottle of Rouge was scratched Sunday when she coughed following her final workout.
On Wednesday, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.removed My Miss Mo, saying she was “not at the level she needs to be for the Oaks this week.” That move opened the door for Nycon.
Thursday’s withdrawal of Bella Ballerina completed the cycle, bringing Resist in and emptying the also‑eligible list.
Trainers React
“It seems like there’s always a lot of changes from the time they draw to the time they run,” said Whit Beckman, Nycon’s trainer. His filly, a multiple stakes‑placed runner, most recently finished fourth in the Grade 2 Gazelle.
With a full gate now set, fillies previously drawn outside the scratched horses move inward one post. Lovely Grey, Nycon, and Resist will start from posts 12, 13, and 14, respectively.
Beckman said he welcomes the outside draw.
“I actually like it a little better for her,” he said. “I don’t want her … kind of getting goosed along. Hopefully that outside will kind of let her settle a little bit earlier.”
