With post time for the first race on Kentucky Oaks Day just an hour away, fans can expect rainy conditions and wet conditions when they arrive. Even with the damp weather, a packed house is expected with a projected crowd of 100,000 or more.
The main track, hit by steady rain since the morning hours, is sloppy. The Churchill Downs dirt has a history of drying quickly, which of course would be aided by the sun poking out or a steady breeze.
The turf is yielding. Race 4 is off the grass. The stakes races remain on the grass.
According to track officials, the course could be upgraded to good if rain ceases before the first grass race of the day—the sixth race. A 40 percent chance of rain is forecast throughout much of the day. The temporary rail is in lane 2, 12 feet from the inside.
Current track conditions for main track at Churchill for #kyoaks day. rain forecast through the day. Damp turf - race 4 is off. pic.twitter.com/gsWirZT3YG
— Byron King (@BH_BKing) May 3, 2024
At 9:30 a.m ET, these Kentucky Oaks Day scratches were reported:
R1: #3 Penny Royal
R2: #2 Platinum Minit
R3: #1 Not Normal
R4 (Off Turf): #1 Swoop to Finish, #3 Elysian Field, #4 Myriskyaffair, #5 Justifiable Belle, #11 Freydid The Red, #14 Autism Community, # 15 Jungle Cat
R5: #1 Frosty O Tool, #2 Taxed
R6: #4 Charriere, #8 Ag Bullet
R7: #7 Tapit Trice
R8: #8 Be Your Best
R9: #4 Trial
R10: #6 Pounce, #12 Simply In Front
R11: #1 Tapit Jeanallie, #16 Candied
R12: #4 Autumn Evening, #9 Daughter of Time
R13: #1 Bourbon Thief, #4 Pretty Layla, #10 Speed Shopper, #14 Dynamism
