Yahilwa Displaying Affinity for Keeneland Strip

Less than two weeks after putting a scare into the likes of Got Lucky (A.P. Indy) and champion Untapable (Tapit) in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland, Deron Pearson’s Yahilwa (Medaglia d’Oro) showed Thursday that she continues to thrive over the local main track, zipping five furlongs in a sharp :58.40 beneath exercise rider Aime Williams. Working by her lonesome, the 5-year-old mare went in splits of :11.60, :22.80, :34.60 and :46.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.20 (video).

“That was awesome,” Williams said. “She was relaxed and galloped out strong. After the Spinster, when we took her back to the track the first couple days, we jogged her thinking the race may have taken something out of her. But she is way stronger now than she was before the race. She really likes it here.”

Yahilwa, who was beaten a neck and a head in the Spinster, is slated to have one more work at Keeneland prior to a date in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff Oct. 30. Earlier this season she recorded a career high-water mark in the GIII Sixty Sails H. at Hawthorne.