Amy's Challenge has bullet half-mile work for Fantasy

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Mac Robertson wanted a strong work from Amy’s Challenge on Monday at Oaklawn, and she responded with a bullet half-mile move that sets her up for a start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy here Friday.

The Fantasy is one of seven stakes worth a cumulative $3.5 million during the annual Racing Festival of the South. The grouping of rich races runs Thursday through Saturday, when the meet closes with the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Amy’s Challenge was part of a large contingent of Festival horses out for final works Monday. She went after the renovation break in 46.60 seconds on a fast track. Oaklawn clocker Taylor Radimer had her final quarter in 22.40, galloping out five-eighths in 58.60, and six furlongs in 1:12.80.

“She did well,” Robertson said. “She looked ready, galloped out pretty good. I look for a big race Friday.”

Jockey Alex Canchari worked Amy’s Challenge, who will be ridden in the Fantasy by Mike Smith. The 1 1/16-mile race will dole out points for the Kentucky Oaks.

Amy’s Challenge will be looking to win at two turns for the first time following a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Honeybee on March 10 at Oaklawn. She set a quick pace when up by eight lengths at one point and was overtaken in the late stages. It was the first career defeat for Amy’s Challenge.

“She got pretty jacked up in the post parade in front of the grandstand with the people – just something different – and the first time she does something she hasn’t handled it the best,” Robertson said. “We’ve been galloping her with the pony, so I’m hoping she gets more attached to the pony and she pays a little less attention to her surroundings. The first couple of days she didn’t like it, because she wants to gallop, and wants to train, but now she’s been really kind with the pony. She goes nice and relaxed. She’s kind of attached to the pony now, and I’m hoping that she’ll pay a little more attention to her companion. That’s what ponies are for – for comfort.”

With the new training protocol, Robertson wanted a strong work from Amy’s Challenge on Monday.

“I haven’t been training her really hard since she’s been training with the pony, so she needed to work,” he said.

Amy’s Challenge, who is 3 for 4, is owned by Novogratz Racing Stable.