McCarthy horses headed to Churchill Downs
DEL MAR, Calif. – Most of the Southern California-based horses heading to Churchill Downs for races Derby Week are recording their final drills at Del Mar before traveling, but trainer Michael McCarthy is desirous of getting in a work over the track, so his runners, including Kentucky Oaks candidate Speech, were scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Tuesday in order to work at Churchill Downs later this week.
Speech most recently won the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She figures to be the third choice in the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4, behind Swiss Skydiver and Gamine.
McCarthy’s traveling team also includes Rushie, the third-place finisher in the Blue Grass and the Santa Anita Derby, who will run Sept. 5 in either the Kentucky Derby or, more likely, the Grade 2, $500,000 Pat Day Mile.
McCarthy also is sending the top older filly Ce Ce to Churchill Downs and said she will run in either the Grade 1, $500,000 La Troienne going 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 4 or the Grade 1, $500,000 Derby City Distaff – formerly known as the Humana Distaff – going seven furlongs Sept. 5.
If Ce Ce runs in the Derby City Distaff, she could face fellow Californian Bellafina, the recent runner-up in the Ballerina on Aug. 8 at Saratoga. Trainer Simon Callaghan said she is possible for the Derby City. Callaghan already is sending Donna Veloce to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks. Both fillies are owned by Kaleem Shah and the Coolmore team of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.