Swiss Skydiver puts forth 'happy half-mile' work for Kentucky Oaks
Swiss Skydiver, recent winner of Saratoga's Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, turned in a timed work Saturday in preparation for Friday's Kentucky Oaks. Continue reading for updates on the rest of the Oaks field.
BAYERNESS – Belladonna Racing’s $200,000 Grade 3 Indiana Oaks third-place finisher Bayerness continued her training at Trackside Louisville – Churchill Downs’ training facility located three miles from the Twin Spires.
Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Bayerness is likely to work Sunday and would arrive at Churchill Downs on Thursday.
BONNY SOUTH – Juddmonte Farm’s Alabama Stakes (G1) runner-up Bonny South exited her Friday work in good shape, according to trainer Brad Cox. She expected to return to the track Sunday.
DONNA VELOCE – Kaleem Shah, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Donna Veloce walked the shedrow at trainer Simon Callaghan’s barn at Del Mar a day after working five furlongs in 1:00.80.
“It’s all good. She walked today, jog tomorrow and fly to Kentucky Monday,” Callaghan said via text.
DREAM MARIE – Miracle’s International Trading Inc.’s Dream Marie walked the shedrow at trainer Matthew Williams’ barn at Gulfstream Park West a day after working five furlongs in 1:00.80.
“So far, so good,” Williams said via text. “She is leaving at 1 this afternoon and should get to Churchill Downs between 7 and 8 tomorrow.”
GAMINE – Two-time Grade 1 winner Gamine worked six furlongs at Del Mar for trainer Bob Baffert in 1:11.60. For more on Gamine's Saturday work, read here.
HOPEFUL GROWTH – St. Elias Stable’s Hopeful Growth walked the shedrow at trainer Anthony Margotta’s barn at Monmouth Park a day after working five furlongs inb 1:01.80.
“She came out of the breeze in good shape,” Margotta said via text. “She will train Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and ship Tuesday afternoon.”
PROJECT WHISKEY – Cash is King and LC Racing’s Project Whiskey walked the shedrow at trainer Butch Reid’s barn at Parx a day after working a half-mile in :47.82.
“She came out of the breeze very well and ate up everything last night,” Reid said via text.
Project Whiskey initially was scheduled to work Saturday but Reid moved the breeze up a day over concerns about the weather.
“It poured here last night and the track is hard sealed this morning,” Reid said. “I am glad we got it in yesterday.”
SHEDARESTHEDEVIL – Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing Limited and Big Aut Farms’ $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) winner Shedaresthedevil exited her Friday work in good order, according to trainer Brad Cox. She is expected to return to the track Sunday.
SPEECH – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables and Heider Family Stables’ Speech walked the shedrow at trainer Michael McCarthy’s barn a day after working a half-mile in :47.60.
“Everything is good this morning,” McCarthy said looking at the track that was labeled muddy before the first renovation break. “We got lucky with the weather yesterday and it worked out well.”
SWISS SKYDIVER – Peter Callahan’s $600,000 Alabama (G1) winner Swiss Skydiver recorded her final preparation toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with an easy half-mile move in :49.20.
With Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle, Swiss Skydiver worked through early fractions of :12 and :23.80. She galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20.
“We went to the frontside (to watch),” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “It was just a happy half-mile, just something to stretch her legs a little bit. Uncomplicated. Brian knows her well. It was nice of him to come by and get on her. All systems go.”
Tyler Gaffalione has the call in the Oaks.
TEMPERS RISING – Mark and Nancy Stanley’s Grade 2 placed filly Tempers Rising had a scheduled walk day following her half-mile move in :47 Friday morning.