Pure Clan resumes training

Trainer Bob Holthus was beaming on Sunday as exercise rider Steve Schmelzel

brought multiple Grade 1 veteran PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) off the Churchill Downs

track following a mile jog.

"She looks a lot happier out there than she was all last year," Holthus said

as Pure Clan bucked her way back to Barn 32. "She will start galloping again

tomorrow."

Owned by Lewis Lakin, Pure Clan has been battling a bruised left front foot

this spring. She refused to train the morning of May 6 and the five-year-old

mare was given time off at Lakin's farm near Versailles, Kentucky, and spent

time on an aqua-tread.

"She has been on the treadmill for 45 days, so it won't be that long until

she works," Holthus said of Pure Clan, who returned to the barn Thursday and has

jogged the past two mornings. "So far, I like what I see from her."

Pure Clan, who has compiled a career record of 8-4-3 in 16 races with

earnings of $1,987,498, has not raced since a runner-up finish to Midday (GB)

(Oasis Dream [GB]) in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) last November at

Santa Anita. That race, scheduled for November 5 at Churchill Downs, is the

ultimate goal for Pure Clan who will spend the summer under the Twin Spires.

"We are going to try to make the Flower Bowl (G1)," Holthus said of an

October race at Belmont Park that Pure Clan won last year. "That would give us

the best chance to make the Breeders' Cup."