Keen Pauline works way into CCA Oaks

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Keen Pauline, the 15-1 upset winner of the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico on May 15, will return to the races in Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. Keen Pauline was one of eight 3-year-old fillies entered Friday for the 1 1/8-mile race, which serves as a stepping-stone to the Grade 1 Alabama on Aug. 22.

Keen Pauline will face Grade 1 winners Include Betty and Curalina and the multiple graded stakes winner I’m a Chatterbox in the Coaching Club.

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Keen Pauline got sick in late May, keeping her off the work tab for about a month, trainer Dale Romans said. She has worked five times since June 27, including a five-furlong move in 1:00 last Saturday at Churchill Downs.

“Her work last Saturday was so good it made it easier to go in here,” Romans said by phone from Kentucky. “She worked as good as she’s ever worked.”

In the Black-Eyed Susan, Keen Pauline led from gate to wire in her first start at 1 1/8 miles. She was coming off a fourth-place finish in a six-furlong allowance a month earlier at Keeneland.

“I raced her three-quarters to try and put her on the lead at Pimlico, and I think that helped her show a little more speed,” Romans said. “She doesn’t have to be on the lead, but if she’s out there and they give it to us, we’ll take it.”

Javier Castellano will ride Keen Pauline.

The others entered were Conquest Eclipse, Chide, Danette and Wonder Gal.