Kentucky Derby Clocker Report: Oaks fillies dominate Thursday training session

Churchill Downs

Thursday, April 27

Weather: Clear

Temp: 53°

Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ten potential Kentucky Oaks fillies worked within about a 12-minute window following the first renovation break on a somber Thursday morning at Churchill Downs after Kentucky Derby contender Wild On Ice suffered a catastrophic injury to his left hind leg while pulling up after a work shortly after the track opened at 5:15 a.m. Wild On Ice was later euthanized.

Wild On Ice was the only Kentucky Derby worker on a bright and pleasant morning, so it was the Oaks fillies who took the spotlight during the 15-minute Derby-Oaks training session, which begins at 7:30 a.m. daily. Eight of them are guaranteed a spot in the starting gate next Friday, with Julia Shining and Hoosier Philly still hoping to draw into the 14-horse field.

Likely favorite Wet Paint was one of three Oaks runners trainer Brad Cox breezed on Thursday, with the multiple Grade 3 winner working in company with Oaks candidate The Alys Look, who was ridden by jockey Luis Saez. The pair went five furlongs from the half in 1:01.12, with a half-mile split of 48.43 seconds. Wet Paint arguably was a tad best on the gallop-out while working in blinkers with Flavien Prat aboard.

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Cox also sent out Oaks candidate Botanical to work with her stakes-placed stablemate Flashy Gem. Botanical broke 1 1/2 lengths back before sticking her head in front at the wire while going easily under regular rider Chris Landeros. She covered five-eighths from the half in 1:00.48, with a 47.48 half-mile split, and galloped out with plenty of energy, going six furlongs in 1:13.23 and up seven panels in 1:28.03. It was a very promising move for a filly who has yet to race on dirt.

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s pair of Gambling Girl and Julia Shining, Irad Ortiz Jr. up, were the first Oaks contenders to work. Julia Shining broke two lengths back before quickly joining Gambling Girl after completing the opening furlong. The duo then went on even terms to the wire, going easily, Julia Shining got the faster time of 49.44, with Gambling Girl working in 49.88 but holding a slight edge on the gallop-out. Julia Shining did not wear blinkers, although she had worn them in her previous start when third in the Grade 1 Ashland.

Fair Ground Oaks winner Southlawn went a very easy solo half after putting in a very quick one the previous week. She completed the distance Thursday in 48.91 off a 24.50 opening split before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.33 in blinkers while in maintenance mode throughout.

Wonder Wheel, a very good work horse who inadvertently blew out three-eighths the previous morning, showed off her speed for real Thursday, zipping a half in 47.20 under jockey Joel Rosario. She tired a tad, perhaps, to the wire, but never was asked for her best. She galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.67.

Pretty Mischievous, a Grade 2 winner who has never been worse than third in six career starts, showed she’s still maintaining her good form. She completed the final quarter of a 47.70 half in 23.61, holding the edge working inside Grade 3 Bay Shore runner-up Gilmore. She drew off impressively, shading 13 seconds into the turn on the gallop-out under Tyler Gaffalione.

Hoosier Filly took it a bit easier this week after a fast one of her own last Friday. She cruised a half-mile in 48.63, with a 24.35 quarter split, before galloping out in 1:02.60.

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Flying Connection broke several lengths in front of Olivia Twist, who finished third in the Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn in her last start, and finished on even terms in a five-furlong breeze. Flying Connection covered the final quarter in 24.02 and galloped out willingly while going easiest nearest the rail under Florent Geroux.

There were some maintenance-like gallops Thursday morning from some Derby contenders, the majority of whom will be turning in their final works over the weekend. Angel of Empire caught the eye, as usual, as did Tapit Trice, who joined stablemates Forte, Kingsbarns, and Major Dude for a schooling session at the starting gate. Major Dude is now two spots south of drawing into the race.

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