Sweet Loretta Could Run Next in Eight Belles
St. Elias Stable’s Sweet Loretta was “dragging her hot walker around the barn this morning,” said Ginny DePasquale, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Sweet Loretta made Sunday’s Adena Springs Beaumont (G3) her third graded stakes victory in five starts by breezing to a 3-length triumph in the race over the Beard Course of 7 furlongs, 184 feet..
“I don’t think the race took anything out of her,” DePasquale said. “She came out of it fine.”
The $200,000 Eight Belles (G2) at 7 furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 5 could be the next stop for Sweet Loretta.
The victory gave Pletcher a 50th Keeneland stakes score and tied him with D. Wayne Lukas for most stakes wins all time at Keeneland.
Pletcher might have a chance to break the record Friday in the $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) for which WinStar Farm’s American Patriot is considered a probable starter. Entries for the Maker’s 46 Mile will be taken Tuesday.
Trainer Brad Cox said Donegal Racing’s Arklow, a 3½-length allowance winner in his grass debut Sunday, could surface next in the $300,000 American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 6. “We are going to nominate him,” Cox said of the son of Arch. “We will see how he does, but as long as he is doing OK, it definitely is a possibility.” …
Trainer Gerald E. Brooks recorded his first Keeneland victory when he sent out Ronald Clark’s War Eagle’s Return to win Sunday’s fifth race. Florent Geroux rode the winner, a 5-year-old Northern Afleet gelding who won the 6½-furlong allowance race by 1 length in 1:17.88.
Source: Keeneland Association