Unbeaten Songbird, who had been the overwhelming favorite for the Kentucky Oaks at the start of May, will now miss the race as the result of suffering from a fever. The Jerry Hollendorfer trained horse had previously been as low as 1/4 in the odds for the famous race, having made an unbeaten start to her career which includes victories at the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies and three other grade 1 races. Owners at Fox Hill Farm have now revealed however that she will miss the upcoming meeting, allowing an opportunity for others to claim what would be an unexpected win.
Songbird has come out victorious in all of her three races so far this year, but will be given time off to make a fully recovery. With the loss of Songbird, Breeders Cup runner up Rachel’s Valentina is set to take over as the favourite for the race, with bookmakers Coral offering her horse racing odds of 7/4.
Meanwhile, in the much anticipate Kentucky Derby, Cupid is another name that will miss out after being withdrawn due to breathing difficulties. Cupid recently finished in tenth position at the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, having already won the Rebel Stakes. However, with the horse now requiring surgery after suffering an entrapped epiglottis, Mo Tom is one horse who could come into contention in the twenty strong field. Nyquist is the 4/1 favourite with Coral to take the crown held by American Pharaoh from last year. Find the odds here for full Kentucky coverage.
Meanwhile in the UK, after the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meetings dominated the coverage over recent weeks, the season draws to a close at Sandown this weekend. Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins will battle it out for the British Trainers Championship, with little separating the pair going into the final meeting. Many racing enthusiasts will now be looking forward to the famous Royal Ascot event which takes place in June. The likes of the Bet365 Gold Cup and Queen Anne races will provide punters with ample opportunity to pick a winner.
Elsewhere, having famously won the Grand National at Aintree recently, Mouse Morris trained Rule The World looks set to retire at the top with owner Michael O’Leary keen for such an outcome.