Intermittent rain showers left the Churchill Downs main track on the wet side, but by the time the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks hopefuls emerged in their special window from 8:30 to 8:45, the track had been harrowed and any standing water had seeped into the surface.
•The Kelly Breen-trained Oaks contender Miss Sky Warrior (First Samurai) was the only one of the big-race probables to put in a timed breeze Thursday morning, breezing a half-mile in a fairly leisurely :49.20 with Paco Lopez at the controls. Miss Sky Warrior was timed in splits of :12.40, :24.80 and :36.80 with a five-furlong gallop-out time of 1:02.40.
“The work went well,” Breen said. “It was just maintenance. We already have our mile and eighth and some of those other guys don't. We have eight days to go. She will walk [Friday]. All we have to do is just stay steady.”
The Arlene London homebred was originally penciled in to work during the Derby/Oaks session, but when the clouds began to roll in, Breen called an audible and sent the four-time graded winner to the track about 90 minutes earlier.
“When she got to the seven-eighths pole, I could hear the rain hitting the tents in the turn from the grandstand,” Breen said. “Then, when she started her work, the rain stopped.”
Since finishing a close fourth on debut to future GISW Yellow Agate (Gemologist), Miss Sky Warrior has put together a five-race winning streak, including a 13-length romp in the GII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct Apr. 8.
• One day after working six furlongs in 1:13, Coffeepot Stables' Farrell (Malibu Moon) walked the shedrow for trainer Wayne Catalano, who reported his filly was none the worse for the work. “She cleaned the feed tub … licked it clean,” Catalano said. “She is fine this morning.”
• In California, 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags) turned in her final serious move ahead of next Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, clocking a bullet 1:12.40 for six furlongs (XBTV video). She was partnered in her work by regular rider Flavien Prat, and trainer Richard Mandella-yet to win the Oaks-was duly thrilled with what he saw. “Beautiful,” is how the conditioner summed up the breeze. “[Thursday] was her serious work. She galloped out [seven furlongs] in [one minute] 25 and change. It looked like a morning gallop. I'm pretty excited. She'll gallop and school at Churchill.” Paradise Woods leaves for Kentucky May 1. “She's a young filly who's still learning. She's got speed and will probably be on the lead in the race. We're not going to fight her.”
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