Kathleen O. works half-mile for Kentucky Oaks
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The unbeaten Kathleen O., expected to be among the favorites for a strong edition of the Kentucky Oaks in less than three weeks, was chief among the 3-year-old fillies who breezed Saturday morning at Keeneland in advance of the spring classic.
Working shortly after the first morning renovation break on the fast main track, Kathleen O. was credited by Keeneland clockers with a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. It was her first work since winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks on April 2 to remain unbeaten in four career starts.
"She doesn't need a whole lot," trainer Shug McGaughey said. "She's a big, tall, slight kind of filly. She's coming off a race two weeks ago and shipping and stuff, so 48 and 4, 49, is what I was looking for, and she galloped out a nice five-eighths and three-quarters, and I think so far we're right on track."
Kathleen O. and regular exercise rider David Jego set out to work solo, but caught unscheduled company through the stretch. A horse from another barn was working ahead of the multiple graded stakes winner around the turn. Despite having broken off well behind the other horse, Kathleen O. easily reached striking range. She remained on the rail as the other worker went wide coming into the lane, and went with good interest to the wire while finishing behind the other horse. Kathleen O. then came through inside of her surprise foe and galloped out ahead around the turn, while the other rider stood higher in the irons and appeared to ask less during the gallop out.
"That didn't bother me," McGaughey said of the surprise company. "That just pulled her along a little bit, and it was fine. I think she went the last eighth in 11 and change."
Kathleen O. is scheduled to work again at Keeneland next weekend before shipping to Churchill Downs to have her final pre-race breeze there.
Also working toward the May 6 Oaks was Fantasy Stakes winner Yuugiri, who worked a half-mile in 50 seconds flat for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Earlier in the morning, Bourbonette Oaks upset winner Candy Raid worked the same distance in 50.40 for Keith Desormeaux.
Three Derby colts breeze at Churchill Downs
While Kentucky Oaks candidates were in focus Friday morning at Keeneland, three colts turned in breezes three weeks in advance of the Kentucky Derby down the highway at host track Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Arkansas Derby victor Cyberknife turned in his first timed work since that win, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.40 while outside of multiple stakes-placed 3-year-old Tommy Bee, who was timed in 1:00.80. Cyberknife’s work was the fourth-best of 14 at the distance on a main track rated good.
Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Jeff Ruby on Turfway’s synthetic track, worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds for Ken McPeek.
Japanese-bred Crown Pride, winner of the U.A.E. Derby at Meydan, turned in his first timed work since shipping to Kentucky in early April. The colt, who spends a significant amount of time out on the track each day for Koichi Shintani, breezed six furlongs in 1:18.60.