According to trainer Rodney Jenkins Saturday, Hillwood Stable's Shimmering Aspen (Malibu Moon) is expected to make her next start and stakes debut in Friday's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. Victorious in her lastest three starts, the grey is also nominated to the GIII Adena Springs Miss Preakness S. on the same day. The Miss Preakness is run at six furlongs, while the Black-Eyed Susan is contested at 1 1/8 miles.
“We're going to probably enter both races,” said Jenkins. “When the entries come out, I'll make a decision from there. I'm leaning toward the Black-Eyed Susan. She's doing well and that's the way I want to go, but I don't want to overextend her either. She's just run the four times and only lost once. She's doing good. If the race looks decent, we'll go in the Black-Eyed Susan.”
Third behind subsequent stakes winner Star Super (Super Saver) in her debut last summer, Shimmering Aspen has won her last three races by 16 1/4 lengths, the longest of which was recorded in her most recent start in a seven-furlong allowance at Laurel Apr. 29.
With jockey Steve 'Cowboy' Hamilton aboard, Shimmering Aspen breezed six furlongs in 1:15 at Pimlico Wednesday. Hamilton will be aboard regardless of which route Jenkens decides to take with his filly.
“When I worked her over there the other day she galloped out better than she worked,” Laurel-based Jenkins said. “She didn't really work that impressive to me. Stevie Hamilton gave her a nice easy work instead of knocking her out for the race, and I was so impressed the way she galloped out. We're pleased with her.”
The inclement weather continued to wreak havoc with Todd Pletcher's work plans, forcing the trainer to call another audible with Moana (Uncle Mo), who was expected to put in a final work at Pimlico Saturday in advance of the Black-Eyed Susan S.
“She galloped a mile and a quarter right after we were finished with [Always Dreaming],” Pletcher said. “I thought about working her and it looks it might clear up [Saturday] afternoon. We're probably going to work her [Sunday], as long as I'm happy with the track, even if it's wet. We're kind of running out of time now.”
Pletcher originally planned to work the Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners filly Friday, but has been playing the waiting game due to the weather. In only her second career start, the sophomore registered a good-looking win going 8 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 14.
“She's a quality filly, [one] we've always thought a lot of. I feel like she's a true two-turn-type filly. I think the mile and an eighth will suit her well,” Pletcher explained. “She lacks a bit of experience and seasoning but, hopefully, she can make up for it with natural ability.”
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