Wet Paint possible for Apple Blossom

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Wet Paint, who swept the 3-year-old filly series last year at Oaklawn Park, could launch her 4-year-old season here in the Grade 1, $1.25 Apple Blossom Handicap, trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday.

Wet Paint won the Martha Washington, Honeybee, and Fantasy at Oaklawn for breeder Godolphin, before going on to run a good fourth in the Kentucky Oaks. She later won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. Wet Paint last raced Nov. 4 and was eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The Apple Blossom, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles, is April 13.

“It’s a possibility,” Cox said. “She will breeze at Churchill Downs this weekend, which would be a final work. She’s coming to hand fairly quick. A month ago, I didn’t think there would be much of a chance. Her last work at Fair Grounds was really good. She had a good move this weekend at Churchill and is definitely possible.”

Wet Paint breezed five-eighths in 1:01.20 on March 23 at Fair Grounds, then went the same distance in 1:00.80 on March 30 at Churchill.

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