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A few years ago Sophie Doyle, sister of James, chose to move to the US from the UK in search of more opportunities.

The opportunities came and with them the wins and now she will be at Churchill Downs riding in the Kentucky Oaks.  She’s on Street Band, trained by Larry Jones, with their win in the Fair Ground Oaks gaining the entry for the Oaks.  They are on 15/1 in the Morning Line but apart from the favourite Bellafina who is on 2/1 with 6 wins from 7 starts, the rest of the field is quite open, with only Champagne Anyone 6/1 and Serengeti Empress 8/1 on single figures.

We start off the day with the Eight Belles Gr 2 for 3yo fillies over 1400m.  Mother Mother didn’t make the Oaks field but is well-placed here.  Break Even and Queen Beas are on 4/1.

The Alysheba is for 4y+ and I headed by McKinzie on 8/5, with our friend Chuck Fipke’s Seeking The Soul on 5/2 and Tom’s d’Etat on 5/1.

The La Troienne is Gr 1 over 1700m for f&m 4+ with 10 runners.  Secret Spice is on 5/2 ahead of the Argentinian-bred Blue Prize on 3/1 and Divine Miss Grey on 7/2.

The Twin Spires Turf Sprint is Gr 2 with the Servis rep World of Trouble on evens.  Wesley Ward saddles Bound For Nowhere and Undrafted 3/1 and 8/1 and they could be heading for Royal Ascot after this.