Applauding Works for Silverbulletday

Ramona Bass’s undefeated Applauding worked a half-mile in 59.80 at Fair Grounds Saturday morning in preparation for her projected upcoming engagement in the $125,000 Silverbulletday Stakes Jan. 21. She worked in company with Stewart Madison, Justin Querbes III and Al Stall Jr.’s Seven Lively Sins, who accomplished the distance in 1:00.40 in preparation for the Grade III Lecomte Stakes on that same Road to the Derby Kickoff Day program that afternoon.

“They both were very relaxed and worked very comfortably,” said trainer Al Stall Jr. of the pair on Sunday morning. “They both remain on target for those two races two weeks from yesterday (Saturday).”

SOPHOMORE FILLY URBANINI UNCOVERED AS YET 

Jay Em Ess Stable’s Urbanini is a 3-year-old filly trained by Paul McGee who finished fourth in the only start of her career Dec. 17, but the daughter of Bernadini breezed an easy five furlongs in 1:05 Saturday morning after being scratched earlier in the week.

“I had to scratch her the other day because she cut herself slightly just above the eye but it’s a minor cut and she should be able to make her next start shortly,” said McGee. “I have high hopes for her. She’s out of Urbane, so she’s a half-sister to Suave and Worldly (both by A. P. Indy), but Bernadini has been an awfully hot sire lately.”

Worldly, second by a nose in the Grade III Ohio Derby two years ago, won the $100,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap last summer and was most recently fourth in Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial ’Cap on Dec. 26, and he worked Sunday morning in 1:00.80 at the local oval.

Suave won the Grade II Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap in 2005 and Arlington’s Grade II Washington Park Handicap the following summer.