Freshened Kathleen O. nears first breeze

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Shug McGaughey reported that Kathleen O., idle since her fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, is back in training at Churchill Downs and about ready to get back on the work tab shortly. She also is expected to return to McGaughey’s barn when he ships back to Belmont Park sometime next week.

“I just wanted to turn her out for a while” after the Oaks, McGaughey said. “She’s up to a couple of two-minute licks, she went a half in 57 and change at Churchill the other day, and I plan to bring her into Belmont as soon as we get back there.”

McGaughey said his first major target for Kathleen O., winner of the Grade 2 Davona Dale and Gulfstream Park Oaks during the spring, is the Comely at Aqueduct, the date of which has yet to be announced.

“I’d like to get a race into her somewhere, run her in the Comely, then target the filly stakes next winter at Gulfstream because I know she likes it there,” McGaughey added.

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