Meaning has first work since Oaks; sets sights on revenge in Acorn

After a half-mile workout May 16 at Churchill Downs, the 3-year-old filly Meaning probably is bound for Saratoga for the Grade 1, $500,000 Acorn on June 5.

Meaning’s drill, officially listed as 48.40, marked her first breeze since a second-place finish May 1 in the Kentucky Oaks.

“We’ve got a circle around the Acorn – that’s what we’re thinking,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Seems like she bounced out of the Oaks well, and she’s been an easy horse to read all along.”

Meaning won the Santa Anita Oaks on April 4 and trained fabulously into the Kentucky Oaks.

“We thought it would take a special performance to beat her,” McCarthy said.

A special performance is what Always a Runner delivered, running her record to 3 for 3 with a smart Oaks score.

Always a Runner, based at Saratoga with trainer Chad Brown, also has worked back after the Oaks and is expected for the Acorn.

:: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now.

So, too, is Oaks third-place finisher Counting Stars, who’s based at Churchill and as of Wednesday had not breezed since the Oaks. Nonetheless, trainer Mark Casse said Counting Stars, winner of the Fantasy at Oaklawn, goes next in the 1 1/8-mile Acorn.

Prom Queen, fourth in the Oaks after falling much too far behind the pace, also could start in the Acorn, trainer Brad Cox said last week.

Meaning, by Gun Runner, has steadily improved through a three-start sophomore campaign after finishing fourth making her second career start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

“I think she was just going through a growth phase there,” McCarthy said. “Things came so fast for her. Everything has fallen into place and she has matured nicely.”

McCarthy won two graded stakes Derby week at Churchill Downs, the American Derby with Stark Contrast and the Turf Sprint with Yellow Card. Those horses are on different tracks but will wind up in the same place – a graded turf race at Saratoga.

Yellow Card remains at Churchill and has the Grade 1, $500,000 Jaipur, a 5 1/2-furlong grass dash on June 6, as an immediate goal.

Stark Contrast returned to Santa Anita after his sharp score over the good colt Remember Mamba in the American Turf, but all being well ships to Saratoga for the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational on July 4. Remember Mamba could show up there, too.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.