Kathleen O. Tests Churchill Track in Final Oaks Work

Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Kathleen O.  is not a particularly keen work horse, but Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey can't complain about the Upstart   filly's undefeated record. So McGaughey seemed perfectly content April 30 with an easy four-furlong move in :47 4/5 at Churchill Downs, Kathleen O.'s lone trip over the surface in advance of the May 6 Oaks.

Winner of the April 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), the March 5 Davona Dale Stakes Presented by FanDuel (G2), the Jan. 1 Cash Run Stakes, and a Nov. 12 maiden special weight for owner Pat Kearney's Winngate Stables, Kathleen O. turned in works April 23 and April 16 at Keeneland before she shipped to Churchill. Saturday with exercise rider David Jego aboard, she tracked workmate Smokin' T , a 3-year-old allowance winner, throughout.

"She's not a real good work horse, and she worked really good today," McGaughey said. "I think she likes this track. Her works at Payson were always just OK; in fact, the one before the Davona Dale was not even OK … When I saw her work at Keeneland, the first time we worked her there, more of a solid track, I thought it was the best I'd seen her work all winter and then I think this was every bit as good, if not better."

Of race day, McGaughey said, "We don't have to worry about her on that day. She shows up."

Also on the Saturday worktab at Churchill was Godolphin's Gazelle Stakes (G3) winner Nostalgic  (four furlongs in :48 3/5), who worked inside stablemate Mendenhall  under exercise rider Penny Gardiner for Hall of Famer Bill Mott with a gallop out to five furlongs in 1:01 3/5.

Don't Tell My Wife Stables' and Keith Desormeaux's Bourbonette Oaks winner Candy Raid  (four furlongs in :48 4/5) tuned up Saturday as well with a gallop out to five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 under exercise rider Alex Cano.

"She did great out there," Desormeaux said. "She is very confident, very sound. Happy, fit, confident, sound — that's all I can do." 

Dixiana Farms' Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) runner-up Cocktail Moments  (five furlongs in 1:00 4/5) was also on the worktab for Kenny McPeek. 

"She's doing great, and she put in a good work. We worked her in the second set after the break today," McPeek said. "She's going to have to have some things set up for her, and she'll have to run the race of her life. It's a good group, and our expectations are modest, but she's ready."

In California, H & E Ranch's upset Santa Anita Oaks (G1) winner Desert Dawn  drilled five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 for trainer Phil D'Amato with jockey Ryan Curatolo aboard. The daughter of Cupid   is set to ship May 1 to Churchill Downs.

"It was a good work," the 46-year-old D'Amato said. "She was breezing all the way. It made me very happy."  

At Keeneland, Sekie Yoshihara and Tsunebumi Yoshihara's Fantasy Stakes (G3) winner Yuugiri  clocked six furlongs in 1:01 3/5 in company with Barossa for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. 

"I was very happy with the work; it was similar to her last work before the Fantasy," Brisset said. "Hopefully she looks good tomorrow morning and we will bring her over in the afternoon."