Pure Fun Works at Keeneland for McPeek

Magdalena Racing’s Grade 1 winner Pure Fun worked five furlongs in company with Chasing Dreams Racing 2011 LLC Taken by the Storm in 1:01.40 on Saturday morning. Pure Fun, who was ridden by Rosie Napravnik, could face males in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 20, while Taken By the Storm, with Alan Garcia aboard this morning, could be cross-entered in the Coolmore Lexington and the Illinois Derby (G3), which will be run the same day at Hawthorne.

“It was a good work,” said trainer Ken McPeek, who will send out Java’s War in today’s Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1). “Both of them work well together. It was a good match. Leaning toward Illinois with him and the Lexington with her, although there’s a good chance I may enter him here as well.”

Pure Fun, a daughter of Pure Prize who won the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1) in December, finished third in the Fathead Bourbonette Oaks (G3) on March 23 in her most recent race. She has 20 points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Points earned against males would count toward the Oaks. The Coolmore Lexington awards 20 points to the winner and eight points to the runner-up. Presently, the estimated number of points to determine the 14 starters in the Oaks is 40 points.     

Taken by the Storm, has a win on the turf at Keeneland and Gulfstream and was fourth in his most recent race, the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Racing Spiral Stakes (G3) on March 23. McPeek has yet to rule out the Stormy Atlantic colt’s future on dirt.

“His two dirt races – one of them was first time out at a mile and an eighth,” he said. “Second one was coming off a long layoff in the mud. I think he deserves another chance on dirt, and he’s as good as he’s ever been right now.”

Also working Saturday toward a possible start in the Coolmore Lexington was the Heider Family Stables LLC’s Examen, a Giant’s Causeway gelding who covered five furlongs in company in 1:01.40 for trainer Tom Proctor.