Monomoy Girl among Kentucky Oaks contenders putting in breezes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Monomoy Girl sharpened up for her upcoming engagement in the Kentucky Oaks when breezing a half-mile in company on a cold but pleasant Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working outside of her Brad Cox stablemate Compass Zone during the exclusive training period (7:30-7:45 a.m. Eastern) being reserved daily for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses, Monomoy Girl went in 47.40 seconds, with a five-furlong gallop-out of 59.80. Florent Geroux, her regular rider, was aboard.

“Ah, fantastic,” Cox said afterward. “She didn’t look like she’s missed a beat. She’s been on target all winter and spring.”

“She’s a good work horse,” said Geroux. “My job was just to keep her focused all the way to the end.”

Monomoy Girl, owned by Monomoy Stable and Michael Dubb, figures to vie for favoritism in the May 4 Oaks with Midnight Bisou, the California-based filly who is scheduled to arrive here April 30 prior to a classic East-West matchup.

“Our filly seems to be training really forward over this track,” said Cox. “She was really ready mentally and physically for the breeze this morning, and it looks like she showed up for it, for sure.”

Cox said Monomoy Girl most likely will have her final prerace breeze next Saturday.

In other Oaks works during the restricted period Saturday, Coach Rocks breezed five furlongs in 59 seconds with Tammy Fox up. Trainer Dale Romans called the move “perfect,” adding, “she looked really good. I’m starting to get excited.”

Romans said he believes Coach Rocks, the winner of the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks in her last start, deserves to be the third wagering choice behind Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou.

“The way she came on the last couple months in Florida, she’ll get respect from the fans,” said Romans.

In other Oaks works, Blamed went five furlongs in 1:01.40 for trainer Joel Marr, while Kelly’s Humor went a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. Kelly’s Humor is the first alternate outside the 14-horse limit, so the Grade 2 Eight Belles on the Oaks card is a possibility for her, said Cox.

Before dawn Saturday, Classy Act also prepped for the Oaks when trainer Bret Calhoun sent her out early for a five-furlong breeze in 59 seconds, with gallop-out times of 1:11.60 and 1:25.40.

Eskimo Kisses in Keeneland drill

Working down the highway at Keeneland for the Oaks was Ashland runner-up Eskimo Kisses, who was officially credited by the track with a half-mile when working outside of her Kenny McPeek stablemate Classy Music in 49.20 seconds. Daily Racing Form clocker Donald Harris caught the filly in splits of 24 and 36.40 and had her galloping out in 1:01.40.

“It was a nice, what I call a ‘happy’ workout,” McPeek said. “She set next to the other horse and did everything she had to. It was perfect. She doesn’t need a lot. She’s a pretty easy filly to keep, and she just needed a little maintenance breeze.”

McPeek plans to work Eskimo Kisses at Keeneland next Saturday before vanning to Churchill.

– additional reporting by Nicole Russo