Farrell prepping for Apple Blossom in Pippin Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Terra Promessa and Streamline have won the last two runnings of the Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn, and they will face a serious newcomer to the local division, Farrell, in Saturday’s renewal of the $125,000 race. Farrell swept the 3-year-old filly series last year at Fair Grounds.

The Pippin, a 1 1/16-mile race that drew 11 older fillies and mares, starts the march to the Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap. Others adding depth to the Pippin include Ever So Clever, the winner of last year’s Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn, and Rachel’s Temper, a Saratoga stakes winner who exits a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap at Churchill.

“It’s a tough race,” said Wayne Catalano, who trains Farrell. “As they say, good horses run against good horses.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Farrell, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 85-62-20

◗ Farrell established herself as one of her division’s best last year, when she won three Grade 2 races and banked $575,720. She closed out her season by defeating older rivals in her first attempt against them, taking the Grade 2 Chilukki on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

“That was a big race for her,” said Catalano, who trains Farrell for her breeder, Coffee Pot Stable.

◗ Farrell, a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Carpe Diem and J.B.’s Thunder, has been ridden throughout her career by Catalano’s son-in-law Channing Hill.

“From Day 1, we thought she had talent,” Catalano said. “I knew her pedigree and her brothers, and that’s kind of a little bit of a heads-up when you know the family. But she carried herself pretty special. She acted like she was pretty special. I told Channing he better come and work this one, and he worked her from one of her first works on.”

◗ Farrell won the Grade 2 Golden Rod at 2, then last year scored a stakes triple in New Orleans, taking the Silverbulletday, Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra, and Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks.

“We’re trying to win a Grade 1 with her this year,” Catalano said. “The Pippin is a prep for the Apple Blossom, a Grade 1, so that’s what we’re wanting to do.”

Terra Promessa, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 43-97-92

◗ She is returning to a track for which she has a particular affinity, boasting a 5-for-7 record at Oaklawn. Last meet, Terra Promessa won the Pippin and Grade 3 Bayakoa, then ran second to champion Stellar Wind in the Apple Blossom.

◗ The Pippin will be Terra Promessa’s first start since a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Shuvee on July 30 at Saratoga. In her most recent work, she went five-eighths in a bullet 1:00.40 on Jan. 5.

“It’s time to run her,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Terra Promessa for Stonestreeet Stables. “She’s been training regularly at the Fair Grounds. We’re anxious to get her back running at Oaklawn. Her first race off the bench has not always been her best race, but we are obviously looking forward to running her there.”

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 3.