Feathered steals Edgewood, Race 6 on 2015 Kentucky Oaks program

With the scratch of Sunset Glow, Friday's $150,000 Edgewood at Churchill Downs not only lost its 8-5 morning-line favorite, but also its obvious pacesetter. Into the breach stepped Feathered, who seized command right out of the gate, got away with slow fractions, and kicked clear to capture her turf debut.

The 4-1 fourth choice, she gave Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Todd Pletcher a second winner on Oaks Day, after Curalina in the 3RD.

Feathered's success, at least on a literal reading of form, could be taken as a boost to Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders Include Betty and Oceanwave. They were the respective top two from the April 4 Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn, where Feathered was a disappointing seventh as the 2-1 favorite. That said, Feathered had  fallen off her fine dirt form of 2014, featuring a near-miss second to champion Take Charge Brandi in the Starlet (G1) and a close fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Given the combination of a surface switch, and a gift pace scenario, in the Edgewood, any direct extrapolation to the Fantasy form, and its attendant Oaks implications, warrants caution. A timely update, but perhaps one that shouldn't be pushed too far.

Under Javier Castellano, Feathered posted leisurely fractions of :24 1/5, :49 1/5 and 1:13 2/5 on the firm turf. Readily dispatching Lady Zuzu turning for home, Feathered found another gear to reach the mile in 1:36 1/5. Quality Rocks, the 3-2 favorite, gave game pursuit. but Feathered was gone beyond recall. The winner covered 1 1/16 grassy miles in 1:42 and paid $10.40.

By Indian Charlie, Feathered has turf influences on her dam's side. She is out of the stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Receipt, and her second dam is multiple Grade 1 heroine Finder's Fee. This is the family of multiple Grade 3 turf veteran Optimizer, who's entered in Saturday's Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1).