Swiss Skydiver puts finishing touches on Kentucky Oaks preparation

Swiss Skydiver, one of the major contenders for next Friday's Kentucky Oaks, breezed a maintenance half-mile in 49.20 seconds on Saturday at Churchill Downs in her final major tune-up for the filly classic.

Swiss Skydiver, working solo during the training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks candidates, went her opening quarter in 23.40 seconds, according to Churchill Downs clockers. She galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20 under Brian Hernandez Jr.

"Just a happy half-mile," trainer Ken McPeek said. "Just something to stretch her legs a little bit. Uncomplicated. Brian knows her well. All systems go."

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Hernandez rode Swiss Skydiver in two races earlier this year, including a victory in the Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn, one of her four graded stakes wins around two turns this year on four different tracks. However, Hernandez has the call on Art Collector for the Kentucky Derby, and that duo handed Swiss Skydiver her most recent loss, when she and Mike Smith finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

McPeek is looking ahead to any future potential matchups with Swiss Skydiver and the division's colts, such as in the Preakness Stakes in October. Thus, he has named Tyler Gaffalione to ride back in the Kentucky Oaks. Gaffalione was aboard Swiss Skydiver for her victory in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes on Aug. 15 as well as a maiden victory and a second in an allowance at Churchill Downs last fall.

As for Hernandez, he was happy to work Swiss Skydiver on Saturday.

"I love working with Kenny, and I love working good horses," Hernandez said. "It's fun just to be able to know where she's at. I've got to wish them the best of luck."

- Nicole Russo

Del Mar: Gamine works in 1:11.60

At Del Mar on Saturday morning, Gamine, the likely favorite for the Oaks, turned in her final drill, going six furlongs in 1:11.60 for trainer Bob Baffert. As she has done in recent works, she sat just off a workmate after breaking off at the half-mile pole, then went out an extra quarter-mile after passing the finish line.

She is scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Monday.

- Jay Privman