A miserable week for Godolphin in America was compounded in the Kentucky Oaks when Imperial Gesture and Frankie Dettori trailed home last of the 10 starters behind shock winner Farda Amiga. In front of almost 102,000 spectators, the third largest crowd in the history of the race, Godolphin hopes were knocked at the start when Imperial Gesture was squeezed up.
Dettori moved his mount into sixth at the clubhouse turn but he was one of the first to come under pressure and allowed Imperial Gesture to come home in her own time as he sensed something was wrong. Confirming that Imperial Gesture was feeling an injury, Dettori said: “We got a little pinched up at the gate but had a good position on the turn. Down the back I noticed she started to get wobbly and was obviously in distress so I wrapped her up at the quarter pole.”
Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor explained that last year's Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up would undergo a thorough check-up at the Godolphin barn. He said: “Frankie was very disappointed with the filly and said she didn't feel right. She will have a thorough checking over tonight because she lost her action and we hope something comes to light.”
In a thrilling finish, local hope and hot favourite Take Charge Lady tried to make all at a solid, if unspectacular, pace. Market rival You chased her round the top turn but a new threat emerged to the favourite in Farda Amiga and Chris McCarron, who gradually wore her down to score by a length and a quarter with Habibti the same distance away in third.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
