Kentucky Oaks Contender Dorth Vader Sharp in Breeze

John Ropes' Dorth Vader  produced a 'bullet' five-furlong workout the morning of April 16 at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a planned start in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

The 3-year-old daughter of Girvin   was timed in 59.28 seconds, the fastest of 20 workouts recorded at the distance.

"We wanted her to gallop out a decent mile. I thought she worked as easy as a horse can work and go :59-and-1 or -2," trainer Michael Yates said. "She looked like she was merely galloping. Her gallop-out was adequate. We didn't force her while she was galloping out."

Dorth Vader is currently 10th on the leaderboard for the Kentucky Oaks.

"That's where we're headed," Yates said. "It's very exciting. You don't know if you'll ever have that opportunity again."

The filly breezed for the first time since finishing a disappointing fourth in the April 1 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

"The first time going two turns, she made the lead really easy and I think it kind of surprised her seeing a horse come back outside her," Yates said. "She kind of cocked her head and drifted in and switched leads real late. She just ran a little bit green."  

Dorth Vader is the winner of four of eight starts and three stakes, including the March 4 Davona Dale, in which the daughter of Girvin scored a 46-1 upset by a decisive 4 3/4 lengths.