Ria Antonia, Dynamic Impact Work at Churchill
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Ria Antonia worked a half-mile on her own in :47 3/5 over a track labeled as good the morning of May 11 at Churchill Downs with a decision looming on whether the 3-year-old filly is to take on males in the upcoming Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
"Everything has been extremely positive with her and whatever the plan is, we are excited about it," said trainer Tom Amoss of Ria Antonia, who was transferred into his barn May 5 following a sixth-place finish in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). "All of her preparation with me has been very good."
Amoss said a decision regarding the Preakness would come May 12.
"I am going to talk with (owner) Ron (Paolucci, head of Loooch Racing) this morning and then again Monday morning after she's had a day," Amoss said. "I am sure a decision will be made tomorrow (on the May 17 Preakness)."
With Calvin Borel up, Ria Antonia covered the first quarter mile in :24 1/5 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00. The move was the fourth fastest of 52 at the distance for the morning.
Ria Antonia, also owned by Christopher Dunn, is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Rockport Harbor out of the Mr. Greeley mare Beer Baroness. Gaining national recognition with her victory via disqualification in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), the bay filly has won two of eight starts and earned $1,254,140.
Shortly after Ria Antonia's early morning breeze, John Oxley's Illinois Derby (gr. III) winner Dynamic Impact worked five furlongs in company in 1:01 3/5 with jockey Miguel Mena aboard.
Dynamic Impact started a couple of lengths behind his workmate and finished even at the wire with fractions of :13, :37 3/5, and a six-furlong gallop out time of 1:15 2/5. The breeze was the 18th fastest of 41 for five furlongs.
"I am glad we got the work in," said Norman Casse, assistant to his father, trainer Mark Casse. The move had been postponed a day due to the muddy track conditions Saturday. "He started off a little slow, but finished strong and moved well over the track."
Dynamic Impact is a Kentucky-bred son of Tiznow out of the Smart Strike mare Featherbed. The bay colt has two wins in six starts with two seconds and earnings of $360,716.
As Dynamic Impact was finishing his breeze, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner California Chrome appeared at the five-furlong gap with regular morning partner Willie Delgado aboard.
California Chrome backtracked to the eighth pole and then set out on his usual 1 3/4-mile jaunt.
"He loves it out there," Delgado said. "Whatever he does, I just let him do. He is a rock star and I am just a groupie. He is the Kentucky Derby winner; he can do whatever he wants."
Alan Sherman, assistant to his father Art Sherman, said California Chrome would go to the track at 6 Monday morning to jog or gallop.
California Chrome is scheduled to leave Churchill Downs' Barn 20 about 10 a.m. EDT Monday for a van ride to Lexington and a flight to Baltimore.
After the morning renovation break, Bayern galloped 1 1/2 miles under Jorge Alvarez and Ride On Curlin galloped 1 1/8 miles with Bryan Beccia up.
Bayern is scheduled to work Monday morning at a time to be determined. Ride On Curlin will go the track at 6 when it opens for his morning activity and then is scheduled for a 10 a.m. pickup for a van ride to Lexington and a flight to Baltimore for the Preakness.