Sorry to be slow getting back...
Work of the morning easily belonged to Oaks runner BELIEVE YOU CAN who was smooth and strong under Rosie Napravnik quickening after her target to stop the watch in :59.0 after early splits of :23.4, :35.1 and :47.1. The Brereton Jones homebred daughter of Proud Citizen galloped out in 1:13.2 and looked in peak form in her first drill since besting SUMMER APPLAUSE in a thrilling Fair Grounds Oaks.
Believe You Can, foe Young and Lovely (:59.4), as well as Derby barnmate MARK VALESKI (:59.3) and his mate Hamiltonian (1:00.0) later, were the top 4 workers at 5/8ths at Churchill Monday with the next closest clocking in at 1:01.0 or more. Even more so than the Derby, the Oaks is shaping up as likely to have a very strong pace with perhaps 10 of its' possible 14 identifiable as pace setters, pressers or stalkers..
Since we went in the Oaks direction, the only other galloper of note was Fantasy winner MAMMA KIMBO who will work Tuesday morning. (BODEMEISTER works as well). I loved Mamma Kimbo's performance in the Fantasy and was looking forward to seeing her in the flesh for the first time. She has a big motor in the back with a sleeker front end. By Discreet Cat, not sure the 9f is going to be to her liking though Canadian-bred dam Bag Lady Jane (Devils Bag) won a stake going 8.5f and second dam Deputy Jane West (Silver Deputy) was a Canadian Oaks winner as part of her Champion 2yo and 3yo career.
As an aside, the female family of Mamma Kimbo is incredibly noteworthy going back to famed broodmares The Squaw and How. How, by Princequillo, won the 1951 Coaching Club American Oaks, Kentucky Oaks and Ladies Handicap ahead of a shed career that produced Pocahontas, the 1965 Broodmare of the Year who dropped both Chieftan (Bold Ruler) and Tom Rolfe (Ribot). How's full sister Cherokee Rose was also a CCAO winner and as a dam produced Fast Turn (Turn-To) who got 1971 Horse of the Year Ack Ack when mated with Battle Joined. Ack Ack was the sire of Broad Brush who forwarded the imperiled Domino line.
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine
Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984.
Last edited by Kasept : 04-23-2012 at 06:14 PM.
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