J. Paul Reddam’s NAN (High Yield) worked five furlongs on Friday over
Churchill Downs fast main track in company with Mizzen’s Wake (Mizzen Mast) in
preparation for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
With Jesus Castanon aboard for the work and breaking off six lengths behind
Mizzen’s Wake, Nan caught her workmate at the wire to post a time of 1:00 1/5
for five-eighths. It was the fastest move of 39 at the distance for the morning.
“She went great,” said Aimee Dollase, assistant trainer and sister of
conditioner Craig Dollase.
Craig Dollase is at his Hollywood Park home base and is not expected to
attend the Oaks. Corey Nakatani has the Oaks mount on Nan.
Marylou Whitney Stables’ homebred TWEETER (Unbridled’s Song) has been thrown
in the Oaks mix. The last-out maiden winner is being pointed toward the 135
running of the race, according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Lightly raced with just three lifetime starts, Tweeter’s lone win came in a
maiden special weight event at Keeneland on April 3, where she led from gate to
wire.
Tweeter worked five furlongs in :59 4/5 on Thursday at Churchill, the co-fastest of 30
moves at the distance.
Stablemate and fellow Oaks contender BE FAIR (Exchange Rate) galloped an
unspecified distance on Friday for Lukas, who commented it’s up to the others to
“figure out” how far she went. Be Fair will likely work Sunday or Monday.
Mike Rutherford’s FLYING SPUR (Giant’s Causeway) galloped Friday morning with
exercise Joanna Trout up. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the Churchill Downs’ all-time leader in
victories and stakes scores, will be going after his initial Oaks victory with
Flying Spur and try for a first Kentucky Derby (G1) win the following day
with Hold Me Back (Giant’s Causeway).
Mott plans to work Flying Spur on Monday. Garrett Gomez, who won the 2007
Kentucky Oaks on Rags to Riches, is slated to ride Flying Spur.
Arnold Zetcher’s GABBY’S GOLDEN GAL (Medaglia d’Oro) galloped 1 1/2 miles under George Alvarez. Trainer Bob Baffert,
who will give a leg up to Victor Espinoza in the Oaks, plans to work Gabby’s
Golden Gal on Sunday.
Likely Kentucky Oaks favorite RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) walked the
shedrow at Barn 30 on Friday as a regular day off, according to trainer Hal
Wiggins.
Calvin Borel has the Oaks riding assignment and is scheduled to work Rachel
Alexandra on Monday.