Promiseher America will prep for Kentucky Oaks in N.Y.
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Nearly five hours before Lord Miles upset the Wood, Promiseher America pulled a 26-1 surprise in the Grade 3, $250,000 Gazelle to earn a spot in the Kentucky Oaks field.
Though not among the original nominees for the $1.25 million Oaks, Promiseher America will be a late nominee for a $1,500 fee due by April 15, trainer Ray Handal said. Promiseher America is owned by Stu Hoffman and Tom McCrocklin. Handal, who won his first graded stakes in the Gazelle, said Promiseher America will do all of her serious training at Belmont Park before shipping to Kentucky in time to be on the grounds by May 1, as stipulated by Churchill Downs.
“Little bit of a quieter spot, this is home,” Handal said Sunday morning. “She’s either going to like the track or not like the track. I’d rather keep her in her normal routine, get her as good as we can, and go from there.”
Handal said Promisher America “bounced out of the race in good order” and will have either one or two works at Belmont before shipping to Kentucky.
Promiseher America, a daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure for the Gazelle win.
Gambling Girl, who rallied from last to be second in the Gazelle, and Shidhabuti, who finished third, also have enough qualifying points to run in the Oaks and are expected to point to that race.
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