4/27/09
Last updated: 4/26/09 4:35 PM
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Flying Spur checked out Churchill while
waiting for her turn on the track
(Ed Van Meter/Horsephotos.com) |
L and M Partners’ RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) galloped 1 1/2 miles
under exercise rider Rudy Gallegos before the renovation break at Churchill
Downs on Sunday.
The bay miss is considered the probable favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks
(G1), and is scheduled to work a half-mile after the renovation break Monday
morning with jockey Calvin Borel up.
“I am looking for her to go in about :48 and maybe let her gallop out,”
trainer Hal Wiggins said.
Wiggins, whose horses occupy most all of Barn 30, will have plenty to keep
him busy this week along with Rachel Alexandra.
“I’ve got one in on Tuesday, I’m entering one for Thursday and we’re running
Abbott Hall (El Corredor) in the Edgewood on Friday,” Wiggins said.
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Abbott Hall is owned by Dolphus Morrison, breeder and co-owner of Rachel
Alexandra.
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Flying Spur will return to the track Monday for her final work
(Ed Van Meter/Horsephotos.com) |
Mike Rutherford’s FLYING SPUR (Giant’s Causeway) also galloped on Sunday
morning, going 1 1/4 miles with exercise rider Joanna Trout aboard before the
renovation break. Trainer Bill Mott indicated Flying Spur, who was runner-up in
the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) to Rachel Alexandra, would work Monday morning,
probably before the renovation break.
Garrett Gomez, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Oaks on Rags to Riches, has the
riding assignment on Flying Spur.
West Point Thoroughbreds’ JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE (Dixie Union) walked the shedrow
at Barn 42 for a second consecutive morning. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee
worked a half-mile in :49 on Friday and is scheduled to go back to the track on
Monday morning.
Julien Leparoux, who rode Justwhistledixie to victory in the Bonnie Miss S.
(G2) on March 27 in her most recent start, has the Oaks riding assignment.
J. Paul Reddam’s NAN (High Yield) returned to the track for a light jog under
exercise rider Jose Castanon after walking the shedrow on Saturday. The Craig
Dollase trainee had her final pre-Oaks work on Friday with a five-furlong drill
in company in 1:00 1/5.
Corey Nakatani, a two-time Kentucky Oaks winner, has the riding assignment on
Nan.
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Marylou Whitney Stables’ TWEETER (Unbridled’s Song) galloped shortly after
the track opened at 6 a.m. (EDT) Sunday. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is still not
definite on her final work plans, but has indicated it would come Monday or
Tuesday.