Unbeaten Kathleen O. tries two turns in Gulfstream Park Oaks
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Kathleen O., undefeated winner of the Grade 2 Davona Dale, heads what is expected to be a short field in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks, the richest of nine stakes on the undercard of the $1 million Florida Derby.
The Gulfstream Oaks, at 1 1/16 miles, will be the first start around two turns for Kathleen O., a daughter of Upstart.
“I think two turns shouldn’t hurt her at all,” Shug McGaughey, the trainer of Kathleen O., said. “She’s got [some] speed. She broke the other day from the outside, they outrun her, then she goes on at the half-mile pole and sort of grabs it.”
Kathleen O. worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds Saturday morning at Payson Park.
As of Monday, the only other confirmed starter for the Oaks was Goddess of Fire, who finished second, beaten a half-length, in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra on Feb. 10 at Fair Grounds.
Possible starters include Catiche, a recent winner over a synthetic surface; Running Legacy or Surreal Fantasy from the barn of Saffie Joseph Jr.; and perhaps Blustery, a recent winner of a maiden $35,000 claimer.
Kathleen O. is one of several horses McGaughey is looking to run in stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday.
Greatest Honour, winner of the 2021 Fountain of Youth, is targeting the Grade 3, $100,000 Ghostzapper; Bakers Bay, sixth in the Grade 3 William McKnight, will run in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pan American; Scarlett Sky, fifth in the Tropical Park Derby, is eyeing the Grade 3, $100,000 Appleton; Stolen Holiday, a recent allowance winner, is running in the $100,00 Sand Springs; Smokin’ T, also a recent allowance winner, is expected to start in the $100,000 Cutler Bay.