Secret Oath Back to Work for Saratoga's Alabama

Briland Farm's Secret Oath  got back to work, recording her first move Aug. 2 since her distant second-place finish in the July 23 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

The daughter of Arrogate  went five furlongs in 1:00.29 on the Oklahoma Training Track as she prepares for the Aug. 20 $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) and a possible rematch with Nest , who defeated Secret Oath by 12 1/4 lengths in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

"It was a really good work," Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Aug. 3 while sitting in his office outside his barn on the Oklahoma track.

Lukas is chomping at the bit as he looks ahead to the rubber match with Nest. Secret Oath won the first race, the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs May 6.

After the Coaching Club American Oaks, Lukas was less than pleased with the ride he got from Luis Saez.

In the work Aug. 2, Lukas had jockey Tyler Gaffalione on Secret Oath; Saez had worked her July 15 for her first work at Saratoga.

Lukas did say he would likely keep Saez on board for the Alabama. He said after the Coaching Club American Oaks, he and Saez had a 45-minute meeting.

"Let's put it this way; it was a very one-sided talk," Lukas said. "He can make a mistake just like anyone else. But he damn sure would not save that one for the highlight film. Luis is a wonderful guy."