Letruska turns in final Apple Blossom work at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Reigning Eclipse Award champion older female Letruska turned in her final serious piece of preparation for the defense of her victory in Oaklawn Park’s Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap on Friday morning at Keeneland.

Letruska, working solo shortly after the track's second renovation break, breezed five furlongs in 1:02.40. Irad Ortiz Jr. was in the irons, subbing for his brother, Jose Ortiz, the mare's regular rider. Jose Ortiz was scheduled to fly in for the work after riding at Aqueduct yesterday, but his flight was canceled.

Trainer Fausto Gutierrez noted that Letruska has gone faster in some prior works, but was pleased with the mare's relaxation level on a brisk Friday morning.

“Every day, she is different, believe me,” he said. “Some days, she has a lot of energy, other days, less. I am happy with how she looks, how she is doing. . . . What’s important is how she comes back, and to be ready for an important race.”

Letruska will ship to Arkansas on Monday and return to Keeneland following the April 23 race. She is using Keeneland, which will host the 2022 Breeders' Cup in November, as her home base this season.

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Last year, Letruska was managed a similar way for a campaign in which she won six graded stakes, with the Apple Blossom among her four Grade 1 victories. She finished 10th in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar after running near a nuclear pace, but had already done enough to earn the divisional Eclipse. The mare began this season with a victory in the Grade 3 Royal Delta on Feb. 26 at Gulfstream Park

Letruska is likely to face another Eclipse Award champion, outstanding sprinter Ce Ce, in the Apple Blossomof the race off a win in the local prep, the Grade 2 Azeri at Oaklawn on March 12.

Entries for the Apple Blossom will be taken on Monday.

Kentucky Oaks: Secret Oath works five furlongs

Down the highway at Churchill Downs, it was a busy morning for fillies preparing for the Kentucky Oaks, led by Secret Oath. The filly, who was a creditable third against colts in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby last time out for Wayne Lukas, turned in a brisk five furlongs in 59.20 seconds, the third best of 60 works at the distance. Luis Saez, who has picked up the mount for the Oaks, was in the irons.

Hidden Connection, a close second to unbeaten champion Echo Zulu in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks, worked five furlongs in a minute flat with regular jockey Reylu Gutierrez aboard for Bret Calhoun.

Turnerloose, fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks, worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 while inside of Louisiana Derby runner-up Zozos, who was timed in 1:00.60 for Brad Cox.