McPeek likes new timing of Kentucky Oaks for Swiss Skydiver

The rescheduling of the Kentucky Oaks from May 1 to Sept. 4 works for trainer Ken McPeek when it comes to Swiss Skydiver.

By virtue of her front-running victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, Swiss Skydiver earned her spot in the Kentucky Oaks starting gate. With Swiss Skydiver having already made starts this year at three different venues, McPeek said he plans to freshen his filly until such time as he knows a stakes schedule moving forward.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many tracks to cancel or postpone major stakes races throughout the country.

“She’s pretty well traveled,” McPeek said. “She came down from Kentucky ran at Tampa, Fair Grounds, back to Gulfstream. She’s obviously sturdy. We’ll give her a break and think about something for the summer and wait for this national crisis to end.

“She’s a lovely filly,” McPeek added. “I think September will be ideal.”

Swiss Skydiver, a daughter of Daredevil owned by Peter Callahan, went gate to wire under Paco Lopez. She covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:43.54 and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

McPeek said he isn’t sure if Swiss Skydiver will stay at Gulfstream Park or ship to his Summerfield Training Center in Ocala for her rest. McPeek opened Summerfield last fall on the property that used to be Padua Stables and Silverleaf Farm.

“She prepped there earlier in the season,” McPeek said.