Churchill Downs officials confirmed Thursday that GII Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Five G (Vekoma) has been scratched from Friday’s GI Kentucky Oaks.
Trainer George Weaver explained the decision to Daily Racing Form’s Dave Grening, citing concerns about the filly’s condition.
“This is the type of race where you’ve got to be 110% and we don’t feel like she is,” Weaver said.
The Gatsas Stables-owned filly had been considered a contender following her impressive performances earlier in the season.
Five G broke through with a four-length victory in her second career start against New York-breds at Aqueduct last fall. She continued her development this season by winning the Cash Run Stakes and finishing second behind fellow Oaks contender Quietside (Malibu Moon) in Oaklawn’s GIII Honeybee Stakes on February 23.
The scratch reduces the field for the prestigious 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-old fillies, which carries a purse of $1.25 million and serves as the female counterpart to Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
Racing officials have not indicated whether Five G is targeting any specific upcoming races following this setback.
