Kentucky Oaks prospective field swells to 16

"It's going to be fun," he said. "We're all local Kentuckians and we're right

here in our own backyards, and we might get to run for a million dollars."

Regardless of what happens with Suave Voir Faire in the Kentucky Oaks,

Smithwick is happy simply to have the opportunity to participate in the event.

He has fully recovered from injuries suffered in a frightening accident last

fall on the basement steps of his suburban Louisville home.

He was heading downstairs just before bed on November 15 to place wet clothes

in a dryer, but hit his head on a low ceiling above the steps and took a

dangerous tumble. Smithwick broke his neck and fractured his skull in the

mishap, and was hospitalized until almost Christmas.

"I'm completely healed up -- I went to my last doctor's appointment here

today," Smithwick said by telephone on Friday. "I'm good to go."

Given her backup option in the Edgewood, Smithwick said Suave Voir Faire

could work on the grass over the next two weeks. Turf works at Churchill Downs

are scheduled to begin on April 26.

Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott confirmed by telephone to Churchill

Downs officials that Royal Delta was "possible" for a run in the

Kentucky Oaks. The dark bay miss won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race over

Keeneland's Polytrack on April 15 for her second win in three career starts.

"She'll go either in the Oaks or the (May 20) Black-Eyed Susan ([G2] at

Pimlico)," Mott said.

Royal Delta, who is is stabled at Keeneland, launched her career in

impressive style with a 12-length romp in a one-mile maiden race on October 30

at Belmont Park. She did not race again until she finished a disappointing ninth

to Wyomia (Vindication) in the $75,000 Suncoast S. on March 12 at Tampa Bay

Downs. She was a three-length winner in her return to competition last week.

With the addition of Suave Voir Faire and Royal Delta to the list of

prospective starters in the Oaks, there are 16 fillies listed as "likely" or

"possible." The 1 1/8-mile Oaks is limited to 14 starters, with preference to

those with highest earnings in graded stakes.

Fillies listed as "likely" for Oaks 137 (with graded stakes earnings totals)

include: R HEAT LIGHTNING (Trippi) ($910,000), JOYFUL VICTORY (Tapit)

($345,000), KATHMANBLU ($328,525), DAISY DEVINE ($300,000), LILACS AND LACE

(Flower Alley) ($244,750), ZAZU (Tapit) ($238,185), ST. JOHN'S RIVER ($100,000),

HOLY HEAVENS (Holy Bull) ($55,000) and PLUM PRETTY (Medaglia d'Oro) ($48,000).

Listed as "possible" for the race are: BOUQUET BOOTH (Flower Alley)

($326,000), DELIGHTFUL MARY (Limehouse) ($244,501), ARIENZA (Giant's Causeway)

($60,000), SUMMER SOIREE ($58,900) and Suave Voir Faire ($25,552).

Possible Oaks starters with no graded earnings are Royal Delta and STREET

STORM (Stormy Atlantic).