Spring Classic preparations kicked off bright and early Saturday morning at Keeneland with GI Toyota Blue Grass runner-up Ottinho (Quality Road) working in company for trainer Chad Brown despite being ruled out of the Kentucky Derby.
Ottinho had been in consideration for the Derby but DRF's David Grening reported Saturday afternoon on X that Brown believed it was 'unlikely' the colt would go on to the spring marquee. The GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel May 16 or the GIII Peter Pan Stakes remain as targets later on. With his defection, Chief Wallabee (Constitution) will draw into the field.
The half-brother to Gun Runner cruised a half-mile with Flavien Prat in the irons on the outside of Praetor (Into Mischief), the third-place finisher in last year's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes. They were clocked in :48.40 (15/84).
“It was a good maintenance work,” Prat said “We went a good clip. I think the blinkers have helped him a lot. I had a chance to breeze him before his first race [last fall]. Now he is more polished with the blinkers.”
“I got him in 48 and 2 and out in 1:01 and 1,” said Baldo Hernandez, Brown's assistant overseeing the Keeneland string. “I am not sure when he is going over to Churchill Downs.”
Bella Ballerina Churchill-Bound After Keeneland Breeze
Godolphin homebred Bella Ballerina (Street Sense), half-sister of 2023 Kentucky Oaks victress Pretty Mischievous, completed a five-furlong breeze in company at Keeneland as her final prep before moving to Louisville.
With Tyler Gaffalione aboard, she started a couple lengths behind a pair of workmates before cutting the corner at the top of the stretch, and finishing two lengths clear of Diamond Eyed Jack (Tom's d'Etat) for a final bullet clocking of 1:00.20 (1/22). She galloped out six panels in 1:13.40.
“She will go to Churchill tomorrow,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “The plan is to do something with her [next] Friday or Saturday or maybe even Sunday depending on weather.”
Bella Ballerina worked with Diamond Eyed Jack and Get Them Roses (Practical Joke) last Saturday as well, and rated behind those two for that work. Saturday she was asked to pass on the inside, and did exactly as they asked of her.
“It was designed that way,” Gaffalione said. “We've been trying to teach her to relax. She's been doing great. She's listening to all my cues, responding well. She's a very talented filly, everything comes to her easily. You can probably see that in the replay of the workout, but I'm very happy with her.”
“It was a nice routine maintenance work. Just let her come up the inside and she finished well. We're very happy, and we'll see how it goes into next week.”
“She relaxed well behind horses and coming inside rather than outside gave her something else to think about,” said Walsh. “She does things almost too easy. She looks great. We get another good week and a good work, then it is up to her.”
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