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Seeking the Title desperately seeking Oaks berth
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Seeking the Title still needs some defections to make the
Oaks field
(Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs) |
SEEKING THE TITLE (Seeking the Gold) worked five furlongs in
1:01 4/5 under exercise rider Pedro Velez after the renovation break at
Churchill Downs on Thursday as owner Charles Fipke and trainer Dallas
Stewart continue to hope she makes the field for 136th Kentucky Oaks
(G1). The bay lass made her stakes debut in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)
on March 26 and pulled out third in a dead-heat.
Her move on Thursday
was the seventh fastest of 19 at the distance over Churchill's fast track. Fractions for the work were :13
1/5, :25 3/5, :38, :50 and she galloped out six
furlongs in 1:15 4/5.
"It was an excellent work; easy the first part of it and finishing strong,"
Stewart said.
Seeking the Title is tied in 20th with fellow Fair Grounds Oaks third
SHEER BEAUTY (Mizzen Mast) on the Kentucky Oaks graded earnings list. A
maximum field of 14 fillies is allowed in the Kentucky Oaks.
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Sheer Beauty galloped under
Mario Convento on Thursday for veteran trainer and co-owner Bernie Flint, who is
increasingly pessimistic about her chances to make it into the overflow field
for the Kentucky Oaks.
Grade 1 queen DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon) and Grade 3 winner AILALEA
(Pulpit) both galloped 1 1/4 miles after the renovation break on Thursday.
Horacio De Paz guided Devil May Care and Fernando Espinoza was on Ailalea, who also visited the starting gate.
Trainer Todd Pletcher plans to work both fillies this weekend, with weather
determining which day they go.
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Devil May Care may face the boys in the Kentucky Derby
(Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs) |
The conditioner is still weighing the option of sending Devil May Care
to the Kentucky Derby (G1) instead of the Kentucky Oaks.
"She is training great and doing very well, which is what you want to see
from her," Pletcher said.
A decision on the choice of Oaks or Derby for Devil May Care will be made
after the weekend work. John Velazquez has the call on Devil May Care if she
goes in the Oaks. No rider has been confirmed for Ailalea.
Dale Romans' two Kentucky Oaks candidates, Fair Grounds Oaks scorer QUIET
TEMPER (Quiet American) and
Golden Rod S. (G2) heroine SASSY IMAGE (Broken Vow), are now set for works on Friday in preparation for
the Kentucky Oaks seven days later. Sassy Image galloped Thursday under exercise rider Ramiro Corleto, while
Quiet Temper galloped under exercise rider Javier Tapia.
Quiet Temper had been scheduled for a Friday
work all along, but the schedule has changed a couple of times this week for
Sassy Image, who has yet, in Romans' mind, to earn a spot in the Kentucky Oaks
starting gate. In addition to the Golden Rod, Sassy Image also won last fall's Pocahontas
S. (G3) at
Churchill Downs, but has not raced since a fifth-place finish in the February 27 Davona Dale
S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Friday's work will likely determine whether she runs in next week's race.
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In other Oaks news:
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Jody Slew will try nine furlongs for the first time in the
Oaks
(Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs) |
JODY SLEW (Slew City Slew) galloped after
the renovation break under regular exercise rider Eddie Corerra and is scheduled
to work Friday morning. Miguel Mena has the call on the Silverbulletday
S. (G3) winner in the Oaks.
Davona Dale scorer AMEN HALLELUJAH (Montbrook) galloped after the renovation break under Michelle Nevin
and has a planned work on Friday morning. Trainer Rick Dutrow has tabbed Julien Leparoux for the Oaks.
TIDAL POOL (Yankee Gentleman) galloped after the renovation break
under exercise rider Leeanne Bates for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The bay lass ran
second in the Fantasy S. (G2) to book her ticket under the Twin Spires.
Multiple Grade 1-placed BEAUTICIAN (Dehere) returned to the track for the first
time since a Tuesday work and jogged a mile and galloped a mile under exercise
rider Marvin Abrego. Trainer Ken McPeek's filly worked in company with Kentucky Derby contender NOBLE'S
PROMISE (Cuvee) on Tuesday, completing five furlongs in 1:00 2/5.
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CHAMPAGNE D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) jogged a mile and
galloped a mile under Froylan Garcia shortly after the Churchill Downs main
track opened for training at 5:45 a.m. (EDT). Trainer Eric Guillot plans to work Champagne d'Oro on Saturday, "but I could
move it up a day if it looks like the weather is going to be real bad,." he
said. Martin Garcia is slated to ride Champagne d'Oro, who sits in 15th on the
earnings list, in the Oaks.
CRISP (El Corredor) galloped under exercise rider Lupillo Alferez
for trainer John Sadler. The Santa Anita Oaks (G1) victress will have the saddle services of Joel Rosario in the Oaks
and is scheduled to work Friday, but Sadler may push it back a day because of weather
concerns.
Bourbonette Oaks (G3) runner-up AGE OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor) galloped Thursday morning at Trackside
Louisville under exercise rider Marvin Jiminez. Trainer Mike Maker now plans to work Age of Humor five furlongs on Friday at
Trackside, moving up her original schedule by one day because of impending rain. She will
work in company with Kentucky Derby (G1) candidate DEAN'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy), as she did a week
ago. Age of Humor is currently listed in 19th on the Oaks graded earnings list.
Fantasy winner BLIND LUCK (Pollard's Vision) and Grade 3 runner-up BELLA
DIAMANTE (Lost Soldier) are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Multiple Grade 2-placed JOANIE'S CATCH (First Tour) has a Monday arrival time
penciled in. Ashland S. (G1) queen EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) is set to
ship in on Tuesday.
IT'S TEA TIME (Dynaformer), who just missed taking the Ashland by a neck in
her stakes debut on April 3, remains at Keeneland.
"Everything is fine here; I am just keeping my eye on the weather," trainer
Rusty Arnold explained Wednesday. "If the weather gets real bad, I can work her
over here."
Alan Garcia, who has been aboard It's Tea Time in her past two starts
including the Ashland, will have the mount in the Oaks.
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