Ward sends 'bigger and stronger' Lady Aurelia on familiar path

On the first morning this year for turf works at Keeneland, Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel’s European champion Lady Aurelia worked in preparation for her 2018 debut in the April 14 Giant’s Causeway Stakes by covering five furlongs on a yielding turf course in 1:02.20 in company with Con Te Partiro (1:02.40).

“Great. Super,” trainer Wesley Ward said about the work by Lady Aurelia, a 4-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy. “She did everything we wanted. She’s worked each and every week (on the all-weather surface) at Turfway leading up to this. Before this, she had a couple of nice moves with Ian (Brennan) down at Stonestreet (Training Center in Florida). Looks like she’s fresh and ready to go.”

Ward said Lady Aurelia has been on the same schedule as last year, when she won the Giant’s Causeway and the King’s Stand (G1) at Royal Ascot. Following the Giant’s Causeway, the plan is for her to return to Royal Ascot and make a second consecutive start in the King’s Stand.

“We’re going right back in the same race if all’s in good order,” Ward said. “As far as everything I see, she’s bigger and stronger than she’s ever been.”

Other grass works of note Friday morning included Heart to Heart, who worked a half-mile in :52.20 in preparation for next Friday’s Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) for trainer Brian Lynch. …

Trainer Chad Brown worked a trio of possible starters for the April 14 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1): Fourstar Crook and Off Limits (IRE) worked a half-mile in :51.80 in company, and Sistercharlie (IRE) (:49.80 for a half-mile) in company with Santa Monica.