Champion Filly Echo Zulu Tops 103 Nominees to Longines Kentucky Oaks

Feb 23, 2022

A total of 103 of the world’s best
3-year-old fillies, including champion Echo Zulu, were made early
nominees to the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I).

         

         
The early nomination period to the Kentucky Oaks closed Saturday with a $200
payment. The 1 1/8-mile race will be staged for the 148^th time on
Friday, May 6 at Churchill Downs.

 

         
Echo Zulu, owned by L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds and
trained by Steve Asmussen, recently began working toward her 3-year-old
debut. The undefeated Gun Runner filly sports victories in the $2 million
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI), $400,000 Frizette (GI) and $300,000
Spinaway (GI). Echo Zulu also is nominated to the Triple Crown.

 

         
Other top contenders that were nominated to the Longines Kentucky Oaks include Old
Bones Racing Stable, Michael Lombardi and Joey Platts’
$200,000 Chandelier (GII) winner Ain’t Easy; Cypress Creek Equine
and Arnold Bennewith’s $400,000 Golden Rod (GII) winner Dream Lith;
Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ $300,000
Pocahontas (GIII) winner Hidden Connection; Albaugh Family Stables’
$400,000 Alcibiades (GI) winner Juju’s Map; Repole Stable, Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s $250,000 Demoiselle (GII)
winner Nest; Briland Farm’s $200,000 Martha Washington winner Secret
Oath; KHK Racing’s $150,000 UAE Oaks (GIII) winner Shahama;
and Dawn and Ike Thrash’s $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (GII) winner Turnerloose.

 

         
Fillies not nominated during the early stage can pay a $1,500 late fee until
Saturday, April 16. After April 16, a supplementary nomination fee of $25,000
can be made at the time of entry.

 

         
A complete
list of nominations are available to download here: Early Kentucky Oaks Nominations.

 

Like the May 7 Kentucky
Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Longines Kentucky Oaks has been run
each year since 1875. The lucrative race is the centerpiece of a spectacular
day of racing and entertainment at Churchill Downs that celebrates fashion,
food, celebrity and fun with a focus on women’s health issues and outreach.