Dayoutoftheoffice on tight schedule to make Kentucky Oaks
Dayoutoftheoffice remains a prime candidate for the Kentucky Oaks after being sent through a swift breeze Friday at Tampa Bay Downs, although trainer Tim Hamm conceded that “we are getting tight on time” in regard to squeezing in a lone Oaks prep for the star filly.
Hamm said Monday that the Fantasy at Oaklawn or the Ashland at Keeneland would serve to bridge the gap between the most recent start for Dayoutoftheoffice – the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, in which the Into Mischief filly finished second – and the April 30 Oaks at Churchill Downs. Both the Fantasy and Ashland will be run April 3.
“I’ll have her do some more stamina-building through this week, then work her again Sunday or Tuesday and go from there,” said Hamm, who co-owns Dayoutoftheoffice under his Blazing Meadows Farm banner with the filly’s breeder, Siena Farm. “It’s possible I’d train her straight into the Oaks, although we’re not 100 percent committed to running in it. The next week to 10 days will tell.”
Dayoutoftheoffice went a bullet five furlongs in 59.20 seconds on Friday over a fast Tampa track, marking her third straight Friday work amid a work pattern interrupted by 40 days from Jan. 24 to March 5.
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“She’s doing great,” Hamm said.
Dayoutoftheoffice won the Schuylerville and Grade 1 Frizette last year in New York prior to finishing second to Vequist in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. She has 18 qualifying points for the Oaks, 15th on the latest list, and closed at 22-1 in the Oaks future wager offered earlier this month by Churchill.
Seven in nominal feature
Another four-day race week begins Wednesday at Tampa with a nine-race card featuring a $19,600 starter-allowance for fillies and mares going seven furlongs. Inedatequila, with Daniel Centeno riding for Victor Carrasco, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a field of seven.
First post for a program otherwise comprised entirely of maiden and/or claiming races is 12:15 p.m. Eastern. Two are maiden-specials (races 3 and 7) with purses of $31,000 and $26,000, respectively.
◗ Samy Camacho rode five winners last week and now has edged away to an 81-77 lead over Antonio Gallardo atop the local jockey standings. Gerald Bennett continues atop the trainer standings with 43 wins, followed by Jorge Delgado (32).