Fantasy (G3) winner Ever So Clever breezed five furlongs in 1:02 on Sunday over Churchill Downs’ good main track in advance of the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The Steve Asmussen-trained daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was caught in fractions of :25.80 and :37.60. She galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.40 and seven-eighths in 1:29.80.
Click here for TwinSpires.com-sponsored video of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks hopefuls exercising at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning.
Ever So Clever earned her shot at Kentucky Oaks glory this season racing at Oaklawn Park, finishing fifth in both the Martha Washington Stakes and Honeybee Stakes (G3) before upsetting the Fantasy at 15-1. However, the dark bay lass actually began her career at Churchill Downs, breaking her maiden by 7 1/4 lengths last July.
Ever So Clever would go on to finish a half-length second in the Pocahontas Stakes (G2) and third in the Golden Rod Stakes (G2), both under the Twin Spires.
The Kentucky-bred lass wasn’t the only Oaks hopeful exercising at Churchill on Sunday.
Farrell, who closed out her juvenile campaign with a six-length victory in the Golden Rod, jogged on Sunday in advance of an expected breeze either Wednesday or Thursday. The Wayne Catalano charge brings a four-race win streak into the Kentucky Oaks after sweeping Fair Grounds’ three-year-old filly stakes series, including the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
Multiple Grade 2 scorer Miss Sky Warrior, a 13-length romper in the Gazelle Stakes (G2), and Gazelle second Lockdown each exercised at Churchill Downs on Sunday.
Paradise Woods, a record-setting winner of the Santa Anita Oaks (G1), is scheduled to ship to Kentucky from California on May 1.
“Any horse that wins like she did surprises you,” trainer Richard Mandella said in regards to Paradise Woods’ 11 3/4-length victory in the Santa Anita Oaks, “but it did not surprise me that she was very good. She showed us that right from the start.”
Likely starters for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Oaks currently are Abel Tasman, Daddys Lil Darling, Ever So Clever, Farrell, It Tiz Well, Miss Sky Warrior, Paradise Woods, Sailor’s Valentine, Salty, Tequilita, Wicked Lick and Yorkiepoo Princess.
Possible starters within the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard Top 14 are Chanel’s Legacy and Lockdown.
Next up in order of preference are Vexatious, Jordan’s Henny, Benner Island, Someday Soon, Mopotism and Shane’s Girlfriend.
