Promiseher America Records Oaks Breeze at Belmont Park

Hoffman Thoroughbreds and Tom McCrocklin's Promiseher America recorded her final serious piece of work in preparation for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs, when going a half-mile in 49.77 seconds over a fast Belmont Park training track.

The chestnut daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was piloted by exercise rider Fernando Tapara and traveled the four furlongs outside of stablemate Ribot's Valentine.

Promiseher America was a third-out maiden winner going a one-turn mile on February 19 at the Big A before providing trainer Ray Handal with his first graded stakes triumph when capturing the Grade 3 Gazelle on April 8 - the final local Oaks prep - by a half-length.

Handal, who will be saddling his first Kentucky Oaks contestant, said the work went according to plan.

"Perfect work," Handal said. "She literally nailed the first eighth in 12 and three [seconds] and picked it up from there. I had her galloping out in 1:02 and 1:16. It was exactly what I wanted. I was looking for 49, 1:01 and four and a 1:15 or 16 gallop out and she did it perfectly. She did it all in-hand just floating over the ground. All systems are go."

Promiseher America will depart New York on Sunday and is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs early Monday morning. Handal added that Jorge Vargas, Jr., aboard for the Gazelle victory, would most likely retain the mount for the Oaks.

Bred in Kentucky by Robert and Lawana Low, Promiseher America is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Promisedyouheaven, whose dam Hurricane Bernie is a half-sister to dual Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection [2012-13]. She was bought for $75,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.