Kentucky Oaks 2014 Update - April 25
Rosie Napravnik will have the mount on Untapable in the 140th running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).
Anderson said Sugar Shock would jog two miles Saturday morning.
Calvin Borel, who was aboard for the work, has the Oaks mount.
Pletcher said the filly would go to the farm for six weeks of rest.
Pletcher’s remaining Oaks hopefuls, Mathis Stable’s My Miss Sophia and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Philip Steinberg’s Got Lucky, galloped after the morning renovation break with Humberto Zamora on My Miss Sophia and Amy Mulen on Got Lucky.
Pletcher also confirmed riding assignments for the Oaks. Javier Castellano will be on My Miss Sophia and John Velazquez will be on Got Lucky. Both fillies are scheduled to work Saturday.
Conditioned by Kenny McPeek, Rosalind is scheduled to breeze Saturday morning, weather permitting. Joel Rosario has the mount in the Oaks.
Wayne Catalano, who trains both fillies, confirmed that Mary and Gary West’s Room Service has been withdrawn from consideration for the Kentucky Oaks.
“Well, we decided not to run Room Service,” Catalano said. “She’s worked OK on the dirt, but not as good as she is on the grass. We made a decision to wait for a grass race.”
Aurelia’s Belle finished in the money at Gulfstream Park in all three of her dirt starts – third in the Old Hat (GIII), second in the Forward Gal (GII) and third in the Davona Dale (GII2)
“She’s been over the dirt a few times at Gulfstream, and she handled it very well,” Catalano said. “We’re happy with the way she’s done on the dirt. She worked very well on it. She’s run well on it. We’re going to take a shot.”
Trainer David Vance said Victor Espinoza has picked up the mount on Kiss Moon in the Oaks and that the filly would work Sunday.
“She’ll breeze Sunday rain or shine,” Vance said. “Actually, I would not mind seeing it a little wet.”
It was the third work here for the Bret Calhoun trainee since she finished second in the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) on March 29. Escudero has been aboard for all three works.
Calhoun, who has been at the Ocala sales, is expected to be here Saturday. Fiftyshadesofgold is under consideration for the Eight Belles (GIII) as well as the Oaks.
Unbridled Forever came out of her work well and will return to the track Saturday, trainer Dallas Stewart said. “She’ll jog; she’ll jog early.”
Maker said Thank You Marylou will work Saturday morning.
Maker said that Connie Apostelos’ Shanon Nicole is not under consideration for the Oaks even though she has accumulated enough points to be among the top 14.
Working on her own after the break, Empress of Midway posted fractions of :12.60, :25.20, :37.40 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.80, six furlongs in 1:15.80 and seven-eighths in 1:30.
“That was super,” said Jack Sisterson, assistant to O’Neill. “We were not looking for a fast work. We just wanted her to be comfortable and gallop out well.”
One interested onlooker was University of Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino, who stopped by Churchill Downs before heading out on a recruiting trip.
“He just bought in on her,” Sisterson said. “He’s a part owner.”
No rider has been confirmed on Empress of Midway.