Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace (Laoban), runner-up to Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) in the GIII Fantasy S. earlier this month, will scratch from Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, according to a tweet from Churchill Downs. The tweet went on to say trainer Robertino Diodoro was not pleased with her current condition. Daily Racing Form's David Grening reported the filly's right shoulder is the concern. A nuclear scan is being scheduled.
In addition to her Fantasy placing, Ava's Grace was third in last summer's GII Adirondack S. She was 50-1 on the morning line for the Oaks. David Cohen was scheduled to ride.
“It's just bad timing,” Diodoro said. “We're not sure exactly what the problem is, so she's going to Hagyard for a scan. I'm surprised it didn't show up after her work. She had been doing so well. We're disappointed, obviously.”
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