Ria Antonia, Napravnik Aboard, Breezes
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With jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard, Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Ria Antonia breezed five-eighths of a mile in 1:00 3/5 at Churchill Downs April 23.
Churchill clockers timed the 3-year-old daughter of Rockport Harbor—Beer Baroness, by Mr. Greeley, in fractional splits of :12 4/5, :24 3/5, and :48 1/5, with a "gallop out" time of 1:14 4/5 for six furlongs. Ria Antonia worked without company while tunring in the third fastest move of 15 at the distance.
"I was happy with the work," trainer Bob Baffert said of Ria Antonia, who arrived at Churchill April 21 from Southern California. "She went really nice and moved well over the track."
Mike Smith, who rode Princess of Sylmar to victory in the 2013 Oaks, has the mount.
Owned by Ron Paolucci's Loooch Racing Stable and Christopher T. Dunn, Ria Antonia was considered a possible candidate for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) before her 2014 campaign began. But the bay filly, after beginning the year slowly, instead is a contender for the Kentucky Oaks May 2.
Under the tutelage of trainer Jeremiah Englehart, Ria Antonia was placed first in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) following the disqualification of first-place finisher She's a Tiger to conclude her 2-year-old season.
Following a fourth-place showing in the Rachel Alexandra (gr. III) in her first start this year, Ria Antonia was transferred to the Southern California barn of Hall of Fame trainer Baffert. In her first start for the new barn, she finished second in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I).
Ria Antonia, who was bred in Kentucky by Lynn B. Schiff, has two wins in seven starts and earnings of $1,244,140.