Cathryn Sophia Swift in Work at Keeneland
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Cathryn Sophia works at Keeneland on April 23, 2016.
After a swift five-furlong breeze by Cathryn Sophia the morning of April 23 at Keeneland, trainer John Servis said he is leaning toward running the two-time grade II winner in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 6 at Churchill Downs.
With Paco Lopez aboard Saturday morning, Cathryn Sophia blazed through five furlongs in :59 3/5. After the move, which was fastest of 34 at the distance, Lopez gave trainer Servis a glowing report by phone.
"I told him she worked unbelievable," Lopez said. "She went fast but was so relaxed in doing it."
After Servis heard that report and talked with his son Tyler who was at Keeneland for the move, the trainer said he is leaning toward the Oaks and will make a final decision after talking with Cash is King stable manager Chuck Zacney. Servis said if Cathryn Sophia doesn't go in the Oaks, the Maryland-bred daughter of Street Boss will be entered in the seven-furlong Eight Belles Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies on the Oaks undercard.
Cathryn Sophia carried a perfect record through her first four starts into the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 9 at Keeneland, where she finished third. After that start the connections were leaning toward the Eight Belles, but when champion Songbird defected from the Oaks, they reconsidered starting in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.
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"Paco said she did what we wanted," Servis said. "She did it good but easy. Paco said she was sensational."
Saturday at Keeneland also saw TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Land Over Sea work five furlongs in 1:02 1/5. Although she did not register a particularly quick time (23rd fastest of 34 at the distance), the daughter of Bellamy Road moved well throughout the breeze.
"She did everything we wanted her to do and did it well in hand," said Reddam Racing manager Jamie McCalmont. "We couldn't have asked for anything more."
McCalmont said Land Over Sea likely will be on the same schedule as Nyquist, who also worked Saturday, and will work April 30 at Keeneland before shipping to Churchill May 1.