Trainer Graham Motion has been thinking Fondly about the Kentucky Oaks ever since he became the winning trainer of the first Virginia Oaks run on dirt. 

“It’s definitely a bucket list race,” said Motion. “It’s a race that I’ve run in, and I don’t know if I’ve come in with super live horses. I felt we’ve been competitive before, but we haven’t had much luck. It’s a race every trainer would like to win.”

Motion will saddle Fondly, undefeated in two starts including the Virginia Oaks in March at Colonial Downs. Though 20-1 on the morning line, Motion likes the chances of his improving, lightly-raced filly. This one feels different to Motion.

“I think she’s one of the most lively shots I’ve had, even though she is lightly raced,” acknowledged Motion. “It is not something that I would have done with most horses because it’s a big ask, just two races. We think she’ll appreciate the mile-and-an-eighth.”

Bred by the late Brereton Jones, Fondly is by Upstart and out of the winning Istan mare Lifetime Memory. Fondy’s half-brother Antiquarian, won last year’s Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at 1 1/8 miles before running fifth in the Belmont Stakes.

Fondly won the March 15 Virginia Oaks by a half-length over Early On, who is also in the Kentucky Oaks. While Fondly recovered and trained, Early On went on to finish second by a nose in the Grade 3 Gazelle on April 5. 

“She’s had plenty of time to get over that race and got some good stamina workouts into her,” observed Motion of his charge.

Since the Virginia Derby, Fondly has posted four published works at Motion’s Fair Hill base. All were at five or six furlongs.

More good news: Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. returns. Ortiz worked Fondly on April 26, a week prior to the Kentucky Oaks, just like he worked her out in Florida a week before the Virginia Oaks.

“It’s huge to have Irad riding her,” the trainer said. “He likes her a lot. He’s worked her twice for me. He’s been on her three times. He’s one of the most talented riders in the country, and he knows the filly very well now.”

Fondly is the third horse Motion will start in the Kentucky Oaks after Affirmative Lady finished 11^th in 2023 and Summer Soiree finished tenth in 2011. The Upstart filly made an early impression that kept her on the dirt.

“We really liked her all along,” explained Motion. “The horses Aron Wellman from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners send me tend to be turf horses. This filly has always handled the dirt well ever since the moment she came to us.” 

The March 15 Virginia Oaks shared top billing on that day’s Colonial Downs card with the first Virginia Derby to be contested on dirt.

Each race is slated to produce two horses to move forward to Churchill’s big weekend. Two Virginia Oaks runners – Fondly and runner-up Early On – are entered in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks. The following day, the top pair from the Virginia Derby, American Promise and Render Judgment, are running in the Kentucky Derby.

Oddly enough, while the Virginia Oaks winner comes into the Kentucky Oaks with the fewest starts of any runner, the Virginia Derby winner, American Promise, enters the Run for the Roses with the greatest number. It doesn’t take much imagination to put either one in the winner’s circle this weekend.

Motion won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 with Animal Kingdom (20-1) who would come back as a five-year-old and win the Dubai World Cup two years later.

“He’s was an exceptional horse, and I doubt that I’ll have another one as talented as he,” said Motion.

Before Fondly runs in the Kentucky Oaks, Motion will saddle South African-bred Gimme a Nother in the $400,000 Modesty for fillies and mares. Gimme a Nother is owned by Newstead Stables, LLC. and will be making her second start in the United Stakes after winning seven straight races in South Africa. She finished second in the Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in her United States debut. Gimme a Nother is part of South African horses coming into Motion’s stable.

“It’s been really fun,” said Motion. “It’s kind of livened up our operation a little bit, and I think its given us some new challenges. I love international racing, so it’s been fun for us to adjust to these guys. Overall, they’ve performed very well.” 

The following day, Motion has two other runners in Kentucky Derby undercard stakes. That includes Grade 3 Transylvania winner Test Score (10-1) in the American Turf for three-year-olds. Though slight, the increasing chance of rainfall on Kentucky Derby day adds to Test Score’s chances.

“That’s not going to bother me at all if we get some rain,” said Motion. “He clearly handles an offish turf course.” 

Earlier, in the $750,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, Motion sends the number five horse, Five Towns, to the fifth race of the day for Merry Fox Stables. After winning two races at Laurel last year, including the Dahlia Stakes, the English-bred has finished third or better in four straight races while facing better competition.

“She been knocking on the door in some nice races and running some good numbers,” reported Motion. “It would be ok to be knocking on the door in this race, but obviously if she gets a good trip, she has a chance to win. And we pick up Irad again.”