Stellar Wind entering Oaks in similar fashion to Santa Anita romp

Sadler is happy with the way Stellar Wind is entering the KY Oaks (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)

Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite Stellar Wind (Curlin) was on the Churchill Downs track at 5:45 a.m.
(EDT) Wednesday for a 1 1/2-mile gallop under
Ricardo Peniche, longtime exercise rider for trainer John Sadler.

“(Ricardo) says she’s just floated over the track,” Sadler
noted. “She hasn’t had any problems handling it. We haven’t breezed over it but
she trained really well at home before traveling. We’re very excited, obviously.
We’re just waiting. We could run tomorrow or today. We’re ready.

“She’s been working really nicely. Victor (Espinoza) loved the work on Friday
and so did I. Just the way she does it, she travels easily and she’s working
nicely and doesn’t get tired or anything like that. We feel she’s ready to go.”

Sadler said Friday that Stellar Wind’s final Kentucky Oaks
work — six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 on April 24 — was nearly identical to her final Santa Anita
Oaks (G1) breeze — six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 seven days prior to the race. If the
chestnut filly can duplicate her huge effort in that race, Sadler believes that
would be enough to win the Kentucky Oaks.

“I would think so,” he said. “I hope so.”