Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), the likely top two choices in Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, each breezed Saturday. The former, a neck away from a perfect six-for-six record and a last-out romping victress of the GI Central Bank Ashland S., covered five panels at Churchill Downs in 1:01.60 (14/55) alongside stablemate Secret House (Tiznow).
“She went really good,” said regular rider Florent Geroux as he and Monomoy Girl were coming off the track. “She's not even tired.”
Cox will saddle at least one other Oaks runner in GIII Fantasy S. upsetter Sassy Sienna (Midshipman). The dark bay worked in :49.20 (27/87) for four furlongs Saturday, and it was subsequently announced that the China Horse Club had purchased an interest in the filly from Medallion Racing, Sandra Lazaruk and Jerry McClanahan. CHC co-owned last year's Oaks winner Abel Tasman (Quality Road).
“We are thrilled to partner with the China Horse Club for the Kentucky Oaks, and the remainder of Sassy Sienna's racing career,” said Medallion Racing manager Phillip Shelton in a release. “They have had incredible success at the top levels of global racing, and all you have to do is look at their success in this race last year with Abel Tasman, and their Derby runners this year, with Justify (Scat Daddy) and Audible (Into Mischief). Mr. Teo Ah Khing and Michael Wallace are incredible judges of talent, and we are looking forward to a great race on Friday.”
Added China Horse Club's Wallace, “Sassy Sienna is an improving 3-year-old. She showed a lot of heart winning the GIII Fantasy S. We are excited to partner with Medallion Racing, and look forward to the Oaks.”
Fellow Cox trainee Kelly's Humor (Midnight Lute) is also pointing for the Oaks, but would need four defections to make it into the field. If she fails to get a spot, she'll instead contest the GII Eight Belles S. earlier on the card. The Thrash homebred worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 (28/55) Saturday.
Meanwhile, out west, the talented Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) tuned up for her showdown with Monomoy Girl, et al. The super-impressive GI Santa Anita Oaks heroine stopped the clock in 1:13.80 (5/16) in Arcadia. (XBTV Video)
Jockey Martin Pedroza was up for the spin, but Mike Smith will ride on Friday.
“Martin knows her well and he does right by her,” trainer Bill Spawr said. “I wanted her to finish strong today and she did. I had her galloping out in [1:27] and change, which is just what I wanted. She's doing really well.”
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