Travel Column ready for anything in Kentucky Oaks
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In what’s shaping up to be an extremely competitive renewal of the Kentucky Oaks next Friday at Churchill Downs, jockey Florent Geroux is hoping Travel Column’s versatility can make the difference in the marquee race for 3-year-old fillies.
Travel Column, trained by Brad Cox, will enter the Oaks off a 2 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks on March 20. That day, she was up close to a moderate pace. In winning last fall’s Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill, Travel Column rallied from last of nine behind a moderate pace after getting off to a slow start.
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“She was a little bit closer the last few times at Fair Grounds because of lack of pace,” Geroux said. “But she ran a great race in the Golden Rod when she was almost last. She’s very versatile. She’s 2 for 2 here at Churchill Downs, which is a big plus.”
On Friday, Travel Column again showed her affinity for Churchill Downs with a solid half-mile work in 48.16 seconds, which was done in company with Australasia, a three-time stakes-winning Louisiana-bred filly who is 4 for 4.
Travel Column was well in hand under Geroux and looked super galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.44 and six furlongs in 1:13.19.
“She’s always a very good work horse,” Geroux said. “Not surprised by how she’s doing coming into the race. She’s as good as she was at Fair Grounds. I’m excited about her chances in the Oaks.”
Geroux and Cox have teamed to win two of the last three runnings of the Kentucky Oaks – in 2018 with Monomoy Girl and 2020 with Shedaresthedevil.
Cox also will send out Coach in the Kentucky Oaks. On Friday, Coach worked five furlongs in company with Adventuring in 1:00.40, with Adventuring seemingly outworking Coach.
Something would have to happen and horses would have to stub their toe for her to get there,” Cox said of Coach. “Her last race in the Fantasy, she did move forward. I think she’ll need another move forward to be in the mix late in the game.”
Adventuring, who won the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park, is pointing to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 14 at Pimlico.
A bevy of Oaks horses put in workouts Friday at Churchill Downs. Malathaat, the undefeated winner of the Ashland who could go favored in the Oaks, went a half-mile in 48.40 in company with Ghazaaly.
“She’s a star,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “She does everything right. Effortless 48, good gallop-out. John Velazquez was aboard and said she handled the track well.”
Search Results went an easy half-mile in 50 seconds in company with Dunbar Road, who is pointing to the Grade 1 La Troienne.
“I’m fine with the time,” trainer Chad Brown said. “She’s coming back in four weeks off a very sharp time going a mile and an eighth. She’s plenty fit. My goal is to bring her into this race happy and sound.”
Others working for the Oaks were Competitive Speed, who went five furlongs in 1:02.40; Will’s Secret, who went four furlongs in 48.20; and Ava’s Grace, who went a half-mile in 49.20.
A full field of 14 is expected when entries are drawn and post positions assigned Monday. Others pointing to the race are Crazy Beautiful, Pauline’s Pearl, Clairiere, Millefuille, Moraz, Pass the Champagne, and Maracuja.