Oaks Hopeful Angela Renee Drills at Kee

Siena Farms' homebred Angela Renee worked a half-mile in :47 3/5 at Keeneland April 16. The 3-year-old daughter of Bernardini  's drill, which came in company in the dark at the Lexington track, is to move her toward a start in the May 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).



"She had a good work; we're hoping she's peaking for the Oaks," said Ignacio "Nacho" Patino, general manager and co-owner of Siena Farms. "Keeneland had her going a little faster than we did. We'll see how she comes out of this, but I'd say there is a 90% chance of her going (in the Oaks). I believe she is going over to Churchill Downs on Tuesday (April 21) and we'll see how she goes over the track. I think (trainer) Todd (Pletcher) will give her a breeze there."



Angela Renee, who is out of the stakes-winning Pilfer, by Deputy Minister, and is a full sister to multiple grade I winner To Honor and Serve  , won the grade I Chandelier Stakes last year at Santa Anita after placing in a pair of sprint stakes at Saratoga. She was 10th in Take Charge Brandi's 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and third behind Condo Commando in the Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) to wind up her 2-year-old campaign.



This year she ran fourth in her debut in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots behind likely Oaks favorite I'm a Chatterbox, then was second to Lovely Maria in the April 4 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I).



"We were happy with her race in the Ashland, but I think she's got more than what she is showing us," Patino said of Angela Renee. "I went to see her Tuesday after the race and she was fresh and on her toes going to the track. (We're) hoping she'll peak in her third start off the layoff.



"We'll need to improve to have a chance," he said. "There are some pretty tough fillies in there. She's going to have to step up to win. We're hoping the next race is the one."