Letruska breezes five furlongs prepping for Ogden Phipps

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Letruska, the filly-mare dirt champion of 2021, had her second breeze since she won the April 23 Apple Blossom, going five furlongs in 59.40 seconds Monday at Churchill.

Fausto Gutierrez confirmed the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on the June 11 Belmont Stakes undercard as the next race for Letruska, whose career record now stands at a remarkable 19 for 25. Letruska won the Phipps last year as the 6-5 favorite. Before her latest score in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom, she was an easy winner of the Feb. 26 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park in her 6-year-old debut.

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“She is a little different from last year,” said Gutierrez. “Her mind is better. We are trying to keep her fresh and she has responded very good.”

The Monday work over a fast track went in splits of 23.60 and 35.40, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols, with a six-furlong gallop-out of 1:12.60.

This was the second straight Monday breeze for Letruska, following a half-mile work May 16 in 49.40 seconds. Her prior work had come April 15, when still stabled at Keeneland.