Speech, Swiss Skydiver Gallop at Churchill Toward Oaks

Although many of the top prospects for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) have yet to train at Churchill Downs, two leading ladies for the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) are already on track. Speech and Swiss Skydiver galloped there Aug. 26 after arriving in Louisville a day earlier.

Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver, exiting a victory in the Aug. 15 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, made a nice appearance during the exclusive morning training session for Derby and Oaks horses, as did Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Speech. The latter, trained by Michael McCarthy and owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables, flew from California to Kentucky on Tuesday.

Swiss Skydiver's trainer, Kenny McPeek, informed Churchill Downs publicity of his intention to give a return mount to Tyler Gaffalione in the Oaks after saying immediately following the Alabama that Brian Hernandez Jr. would ride. Gaffalione rode her to a 3 1/2-length score in the Alabama, her first grade 1 victory.

"Tyler got her ready as a 2-year-old and rode her twice to start her career," he said. "Through different circumstances—either he was zigging or we were zagging—he didn't get to ride her back. Brian Hernandez is my regular rider and he has a commitment in the Derby aboard Art Collector, and our thought was if she ran well in the Oaks that we would try the Preakness (G1).

"She'll work either Friday or Saturday and be ready for the race. It'll be just a maintenance breeze here at Churchill. Other than that, it's uncomplicated to get her ready for the Oaks."

A 3-year-old daughter of Daredevil , Swiss Skydiver is by far the leading points earner this year on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, having earned 350. Qualifying points only matter for bragging rights this year; they are not needed as preference criteria because the race is not likely to overfill.

After having capacity fields of 14 since 2015, a medium-sized group for the Oaks is expected. As of Wednesday, the track considers 10 fillies as potential starters—Swiss Skydiver, Speech, Bonny South, Shedaresthedevil, Project Whiskey, Donna Veloce, Gamine, Hopeful Growth, Dream Marie, and Bayerness. At least a couple in that group are not certain to run.

The last time the Oaks went to post with only 10 horses was in 2013 when Princess of Sylmar was a 38-1 upsetter. Not since Rachel Alexandra won a seven-horse Oaks by 20 1/4 lengths in 2009 have fewer than 10 fillies started in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race.

This year it seems fewer connections are keen to take a swing in the Oaks against the apparent strength of Swiss Skydiver, Speech, and Gamine, the winner of the Longines Acorn Stakes (G1) and Longines Test Stakes (G1). The latter is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky Aug. 31 from her base at Del Mar along with several other California prospects for the Derby.

Speech's stablemate Rushie also took a spin around the track Wednesday in his first local exercise as he prepares for either the Derby or the $500,000 Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by LG&E and KU (G2) on the undercard of the Derby.

Other Derby hopefuls who either galloped or jogged Wednesday at Churchill included Major Fed, Winning Impression, Enforceable, Max Player, Necker Island, and King Guillermo.

King Guillermo, unraced since a runner-up finish in a division of the Arkansas Derby (G1) May 2, broke from the starting gate before his gallop.

"Having not raced in four months, we wanted him to get reacquainted with the gate," trainer Juan Carlos Avila said. "Everything went well this morning there."

Arriving Wednesday at Churchill Downs from nearby Skylight Training Center was Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and Runhappy Ellis Park Derby winner Art Collector. He is scheduled to train at Churchill Aug. 27.