Red Lark to make first start since Keeneland's QE II in American Oaks

Red Lark, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks in August, worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 on Friday at Santa Anita for the Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

“She seems nice and she seems happy,” trainer Paddy Gallagher said.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Red Lark was fourth in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Oct. 10 at Keeneland, closing from last in a field of seven to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind race winner Harvey’s Lil Goil.

Harvey’s Lil Goil, a three-time stakes winner, finished a fast-closing third by a neck behind Audarya in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 7 at Keeeland.

Red Lark has won 2 of 13 starts and earned $250,000.

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The $300,000 American Oaks is run at 1 1/4 miles and will be Red Lark’s longest race. The Oaks will be a reduction in distance for California Kook. She finished seventh, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on turf Nov. 26 at Del Mar, encountering trouble in the final quarter-mile.

The American Oaks is one of three Grade 1 races worth $300,000 on the opening day of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. The Runhappy Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds and La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies will be run at seven furlongs.

Overall, there are six stakes on a scheduled 11-race program.