Secret Oath is back at work, fires a bullet at Oaklawn

Secret Oath, a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2022, returned to the work tab Sunday morning at Oaklawn, recording a half-mile bullet in 47.6 seconds under Mickaelle Michel.

Secret Oath breezed over a fast surface moments after the track opened at 7:45 a.m. EST. Clockers caught the chestnut daughter of deceased champion Arrogate galloping out 5 furlongs in 1:01.4.

“Beautiful,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said, describing the work. “I just want to freeze it. When she breezes, she always fools the riders. She’s got such a smooth motion. Mickaelle is outstanding. That’s why I had her on her.”

Secret Oath was freshened for a 2023 campaign after a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 5 at Keeneland. Lukas said Secret Oath is scheduled to make her 4-year-old debut in the Azeri Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 11 at Oaklawn.

Lukas said Secret Oath has flourished physically since the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which concluded a grueling nine-race 2022 campaign. Secret Oath demolished her rivals in Oaklawn’s Martha Washington Stakes and Honeybee Stakes (G3) last winter before finishing third against males in its Arkansas Derby (G1) in April. Secret Oath then captured the Kentucky Oaks (G1), the country’s biggest race for 3-year-old fillies, in May at Churchill Downs. Secret Oath tested males again, finishing fourth in the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Secret Oath made four more starts, finishing second twice to likely 3-year-old filly champion Nest in Grade 1 events last summer at Saratoga. The Breeders’ Cup Distaff was Secret Oath’s first start against older horses.

“She’s gotten wider,” Lukas said. “She’s put on at least 50 pounds. She really looks good. I’m so pleased with her development. Her mother was the same way. Didn’t do anything before, then widened out and got to be a race horse. I couldn’t be more happy where she’s at.”

Lukas trains Secret Oath for her Kentucky breeders, Robert and Stacy Mitchell (Briland Farm). Lukas and Briland also campaigned Secret Oath’s dam, multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Absinthe Minded.

Lukas said the Azeri is Secret Oath’s scheduled prep for the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares April 15 at Oaklawn. The Apple Blossom is also 1 1/16 miles.

Michel, through Saturday, had ridden two winners for Lukas at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting. The French jockey began breezing Secret Oath leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Secret Oath’s half-mile time Sunday was the fastest of 87 recorded at the distance.