Spanish Queen preps for Belmont Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – Spanish Queen, the top 3-year-old turf filly in California, posted a sharp dirt workout Wednesday at Santa Anita as she prepares for her first road trip. The Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks and a showdown with the undefeated Lady Eli is next for Spanish Queen, who worked five furlongs for trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Brice Blanc.

The winner of the Grade 1 American Oaks on May 30, Spanish Queen caught company at the top of the stretch in her work.

“Brice said he was going to go around, but she wanted to go in between,” Baltas said.

Spanish Queen split the workers and rolled to the wire in 1:00.80.

Spanish Queen has won 3 of 4 starts and $423,600, all this year at Santa Anita. A daughter of Tribal Rule, Spanish Queen is expected to be among the leading contenders in a big field for the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Oaks on July 4.