Cathryn Sophia Gets Early Morning Workout

Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Cathryn Sophia worked at Keeneland in the pre-dawn hours April 30 because trainer John Servis was trying to beat the rain that would be moving through Central Kentucky.

Cash is King's grade II-winning daughter of Street Boss  —Sheave, by Mineshaft  , went out at 5:50 a.m. and worked four furlongs in :49 4/5, according to Servis, who noted the track's clockers got her in a slower time. That time has not yet been posted to her Equibase profile.

"I didn't want to do a lot with her," said Servis. "For what I saw, I have no concerns. She is doing really well and seems to be moving forward." In her previous work, Cathryn Sophia worked a bullet five furlongs April 23 in :59 3/5.

Cathryn Sophia has only lost once in five starts. She was undefeated going into the grade I Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, where she finished third. Servis and owner Chuck Zacney rethought their plans for the Kentucky Oaks following the Ashland in anticipation of facing the undefeated champion Songbird. When Songbird got derailed by a fever, the road to the Oaks opened again.

"It will be a competitive field and a full field, but I'm feeling great right now," Servis said. He said he chose to work Cathryn Sophia at Keeneland because she has been doing well at the Lexington track, and he was concerned if he shipped to Churchill Downs sooner, the weather would not have cooperated.

"At least if we got caught by the rain, Keeneland has the all-weather training track. We had that option," Servis said.

The filly is expected to ship to Churchill May 1 at 11 a.m. ET