Trainer Neil Howard reported that W.S. Farish homebred Eagle (Candy Ride {Arg}), winner of Saturday's GII Ben Ali S. at Keeneland, emerged from his victory in fine condition.
“He looks good this morning,” said Howard, who added that the chestnut could make his next start in Churchill's GII Alysheba S. on GI Kentucky Oaks day May 6. Saturday marked Howard's fifth win as a trainer in the Ben Ali.
Howard got the Saturday card off on the right foot with a rallying allowance score by Stoneway Farm's Dream Dance (Afleet Alex), who sits in 11th on the GI Kentucky Oaks points leaderboard after finishing second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 26. Although Dream Dance is assured a position in the gate on the first Friday in May, Howard said he remains undecided about whether his filly will compete.
“We are not sure about the Oaks,” Howard said. “It is all different this year with [undefeated] Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro), and I am not at all rushing to face her. We will see how it goes. The Oaks is possible–not out of the question.”
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