Farrell, Sailor’s Valentine work for Kentucky Oaks

Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and Golden Rod (G2) winner Farrell, expected to be among the betting choices in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 5, turned in a six-furlong work in 1:13 Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.

“I’m loving this,” trainer Wayne Catalano said after his three-time graded stakes winner produced splits of :12, :24, :36, :48, 1:00.60, 1:13 and galloping out seven furlongs in 1:27.80. “The work was perfect. It’s hard to beat that.”

Regular rider Channing Hill, son-in-law to Catalano, was aboard for the work.

“Wayne has been talking about this filly since the first day he got her,” Hill said, later adding “I’m not afraid of anything. Even if the gray filly (Unique Bella) had come.”

Over at Keeneland on Wednesday, Ashland (G1) upsetter Sailor’s Valentine worked five furlongs in 1:00.

With assistant Kelly Wheeler, Sailor’s Valentine worked in company with stablemate Laney. Keeneland clockers caught Sailor’s Valentine in fractions of :12, :23.60, :35.20, and :47.20.

“She worked really good, did it really easy,” trainer Eddie Kenneally said. “It’s her final work before the Oaks, and she’s all set. We’re excited about her. We think she’s coming into the race real good. She’s an improving filly at the moment.”

Among the known impending workouts for Oaks contenders at Churchill are Gazelle (G2) winner Miss Sky Warrior on Thursday and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) heroine Salty on Friday.

“I am watching the weather, but we are still on for Thursday,” trainer Kelly Breen said of Miss Sky Warrior. “If we have to push the work back to even Saturday, it would not matter.”