Carina Mia Breezes at Churchill Downs

While Carina Mia will need a lot of help to make the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) field, her connections are confident the grade II winner will run well in whatever race she ultimately is entered.

Three Chimneys Farm's Carina Mia breezed a half-mile in :49 2/5 the morning of May 2 at Churchill Downs for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. That move followed the Malibu Moon   filly's impressive April 25, work when she breezed five furlongs in :58 4/5, earning the bullet among 34 moves at the distance.

At 17th on the Oaks points list, Carina Mia is a longshot to make the Oaks, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies May 6 at Churchill that is limited to 14 starters. If she doesn't make the field, the May 6 Eight Belles (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies going a mile could be the next option.

"If Carina gets in (the Oaks), we think she's live," said Three Chimneys vice chairman Doug Cauthen. "And she'll be very live if she happens to run in the Eight Belles instead." 

Carina Mia capped her 2-year-old season with a victory in the Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill, but was not able to race again until this year's Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 9 at Keeneland, where she finished fourth.

Mott said the deadline is Tuesday to enter the Oaks and hope for defections, or enter the Eight Belles. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission rules do not allow a horse to be entered in more than one race on the same day.