Pure Fun Nearing Return for McPeek

After taking the summer off following a dull effort in the Longines Kentucky Oaks, Magdalena Racing Stable’s Pure Fun continues to train sharply for her return to competition.

The 3-year-old daughter of Pure Prize, who finished sixth to King of Prussia Stable’s Princess of Sylmar in the Oaks, worked a sparkling four furlongs in :47.40 on Friday. The move tied with the work by Strong Mandate, the 2-year-old winner of the Hopeful (GI), as the fastest of 44 moves at the distance. It was the third “bullet” fired by Pure Fun in the last four works by trainer Kenny McPeek’s winner of the 2012 Hollywood Starlet (GI).

“It was a really good breeze,” McPeek said Saturday. “She’s been reeling off the workouts and this is the best one she’s had yet. We’re feeling good about her.”

McPeek will soon be looking for a race for Pure Prize, who has yet to win in three 2013 starts. She opened her campaign with a third-place run in Turfway Park’s Bourbonette Oaks (GIII) at Turfway Park and then ran seventh against males in the Coolmore Lexington (GIII) at Keeneland.

“I wish we had a 3-year-old filly race for her at Churchill,” McPeek said. “We’ll probably point her toward the Indiana Oaks.”The $200,000 Indiana Oaks (GII), a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, is set for Saturday, Oct. 5 at Hoosier Park.