Bellafina looks good in work for Kentucky Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bellafina, who will be favored in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 3, worked a half-mile in 48 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday, her first major exercise since she won the Santa Anita Oaks on April 6.

Ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, Bellafina worked alone and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80, according to trainer Simon Callaghan. Bellafina completed the last furlong in 11.43 seconds, according to Callaghan. Bellafina was well within herself through the stretch.

“She’s fit and ready,” Callaghan said. “You want everything to go smoothly.”

The workout caught the attention of rival trainers, notably Bob Baffert, who is likely to start Santa Anita Oaks runner-up Flor de La Mar in the Kentucky Oaks.

“I watched Bellafina, and she looked good,” Baffert said.

Owned by Kaleem Shah, who was in attendance for Friday’s workout, Bellafina has won 6 of 8 starts and earned $1,068,000. Bellafina was fourth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs last November, her only loss in seven stakes.

Bellafina is unbeaten in three starts this year. In the Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles, Bellafina pulled away from three rivals to win by a convincing 5 1/4 lengths.

Callaghan is planning one more workout for Bellafina, on April 27, before she is flown to Kentucky on April 30.

Flor de La Mar had her stakes debut in the Santa Anita Oaks, her third career race. On Thursday, Flor de La Mar worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds. Baffert said he was leaning toward the Kentucky Oaks for the filly, who races for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing.

“If she keeps training well, we’ll look at the Oaks,” Baffert said. “I’ll watch her closely.”

The Baffert-trained McKinzie, who will start in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 3, worked five furlongs in 1:00 on Friday, the fastest of 41 works at the distance. McKinzie was beaten a nose in a thrilling running of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on April 6. Friday’s workout was McKinzie’s first major exercise since the Big Cap.

“He looked awesome,” Baffert said.

The two-time stakes winner Mucho Gusto, third as the 4-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby on March 24, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20. Baffert declined to state a race goal for Mucho Gusto, who won the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles here in February.