For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kelly Wietsma
914-261-6379 equisponse@aol.com
R Heat Lightning Withdrawn From Consideration for Friday's Kentucky Oaks
May 2, 2011 – Lousiville, KY - Early Kentucky Oaks favorite R Heat Lightning has been withdrawn from consideration for Saturday's Kentucky Oaks, it was announced today by trainer Todd Pletcher.
"We detected heat in her right knee this morning and she was slightly off at the jog." said Pletcher. "It's unfortunate. She's a very talented filly and has been training great. We've scheduled an appointment for an evaluation, later this week at Rood and Riddle clinic in Lexington."
R Heat Lightning, a 3-year-old daughter of Trippi out of the Gold Fever mare Yellow Heat, was headed into the Oaks as the likely favorite after a brilliant performance in Florida in the April 2 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II). The E Paul Robsham Stable homebred powered home to a 8 ¼-length victory under jockey John Velazquez for her second straight win and her third graded stakes triumph, fourth score overall in her eight-race career.
The bay filly won twice in five starts as a 2-year-old including the grade I Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. She was also runner-up three times, ending the 2010 season with a solid second-place effort in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Churchill Downs. Fourth in the Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II) to open up her sophomore campaign, she rebounded with a decisive 7 1/4-length triumph in the Feb. 26 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park. She has earned $952,800 in her eight starts.
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