Kentucky Oaks 135 Update -- Baffert's Gabby's Golden Gal Set for Sunday Work

Apr 26, 2009 By Churchill Downs Notes Team

Follow your favorite contender for the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks with the Churchill Downs Notes Team!

BE FAIR / TWEETER – Thomas Van Meter and Charles Kidder's Be Fair galloped an unspecified distance Saturday morning at Churchill Downs according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Lukas said the filly will work “possibly tomorrow” in her final major move leading up to Oaks 135.

Marylou Whitney Stables' Tweeter also galloped Saturday morning and Lukas said Tweeter will work Monday or Tuesday for a possible Oaks run.

Rafael Bejarano has the Oaks riding assignment on Be Fair, who was fourth in the Grade I Ashland at Keeneland on April 4 in her most recent start.

FLYING SPUR – Mike Rutherford’s Flying Spur galloped a mile and a quarter under Joanna Trout before the renovation break Saturday morning.

Trainer Bill Mott expressed satisfaction with the morning’s activity that occurred the same time Mott was on the track with Kentucky Derby contender Hold Me Back.

Garrett Gomez has the riding assignment on Flying Spur, who is expected to work on Monday.

GABBY’S GOLDEN GAL – The heroine of the Sunland Park Oaks, Gabby’s Golden Gal, was out and doing some leg stretching at 6:45 Saturday morning, building up steam toward her date in Friday’s Grade I Kentucky Oaks.

Exercise rider George Alvarez was at the controls and took the Medaglia d’Oro filly through a mile and one-half gallop.

The Arnold Zetcher homebred is scheduled to have one more work prior to her date on the national stage. When would that work takes place, her silver-haired conditioner was asked?

“Sunday,” said Bob Baffert. “Looks like we’ll work her on Sunday.”

JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Justwhistledixie walked the shedrow at Barn 42 a day after working a half-mile in :49.

“Everything looks good this morning,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “She ate up good and probably will walk again in the morning.”

Julien Leparoux has the Oaks riding assignment on Justwhistledixie, who has won five consecutive races.

NAN – J. Paul Reddam's Nan walked the shedrow after putting in a five-furlong work Friday morning in 1:00:20.

Aimee Dollase, sister and assistant to trainer Craig Dollase, said “she came out of the work great and is looking great.”

Corey Nakatani has the Oaks riding assignment.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA – L and M Partner’s Rachel Alexandra galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Rudy Gallegos shortly before 7 o’clock Saturday morning.

“I have been getting on her since last May and she just keeps getting better and better and stronger,” Gallegos said.

Trainer Hal Wiggins, along with his wife, Renee, and his mother, Joyce, watched the morning activity.
“I had a clocker at Oaklawn Park tell me he watches her every day and it is the same every day,” Wiggins said of the strong gallops put in by Rachel Alexandra.

Wiggins, a trainer for more than 30 years, plans to work Rachel Alexandra a half-mile on Monday morning after the renovation break with jockey Calvin Borel up.

No paddock or gate schooling is planned for Rachel Alexandra.

“Her disposition is so good, she won’t do either,” Wiggins said.