Monomoy Girl posts first work since Rachel Alexandra win

Monomoy Girl, who was joined atop the heap of Kentucky Oaks hopefuls this week by Midnight Bisou and Fly So High, had her first work since an impressive win in the Feb. 17 Rachel Alexandra Stakes when she went a half-mile in 49.80 seconds Sunday.

“She breezed fantastic,” said trainer Brad Cox, who has been pleased with the way Monomoy Girl came back from her 3-year-old debut in the Rachel Alexandra.

Cox reiterated that the plan with Monomoy Girl is to pass the Fair Grounds Oaks and race instead in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland.

Saturday, Cox worked the 4-year-old grass horse Mr. Misunderstood a half-mile in 49.00 seconds, his first breeze since a second-place finish behind Synchrony’s sharp win Feb. 17 in the Fair Grounds Handicap. Cox said no decision has been made whether to take on Synchrony again March 24 in the Muniz Handicap at Fair Grounds or await the Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland.

“We’ll see what the [Muniz] weights look like when they come out and then make a decision,” Cox said.

◗ Thursday’s feature on a nine-race card is race 8, a dirt sprint for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares with multiple allowance conditions and a $35,000 claiming option. Play Unified won convincingly at this same class level on Feb. 9 and is sure to be favored for a repeat, though she breaks from the fence as a pace player with other speed to her outside.

◗ The Player, who had a breakout win with blinkers added in the Feb. 17 Mineshaft Handicap, worked five furlongs in a bullet 59 seconds Sunday.