Farrell to Rest With Eye on Alabama Stakes

Coffee Pot Stables' homebred 3-year-old filly Farrell has earned herself a rest after a testing campaign that commenced early last fall at Churchill Downs and culminated with a surprising last-place finish in the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 5 at the same Louisville oval.

Racing in what seemed to be a garden spot early in third, three lengths behind dueling speedballs Miss Sky Warrior and favorite Paradise Woods, the wagering public's 9-2 second choice backed up abruptly on the far turn and was eased at the finish under Channing Hill, son-in-law to trainer Wayne Catalano.

According to Hill, the three-time graded stakes-winning daughter of Malibu Moon   did not take to the sloppy, sealed conditions and he simply wrapped her up once he felt her slipping over the course with little chance to win. Catalano and Coffee Pot principals Bob Cummings and Annette Bacola agreed, but took extra precautions.

"We sent her to Rood & Riddle (Equine Hospital in Lexington), and it looks like everything came out alright," Catalano said. "I think we will give her a couple months. She's worked hard and needs a little time.

"I think (her performance) had a lot to do with the track," he continued. "She really didn't like it. She also came back with a little eye issue, but came out of that fine. We had Dr. (Larry) Bramlage give her a bone scan and it looks like we should be OK. We'll look at Saratoga and point for the Alabama (Stakes, G1), if all goes well. She just needs a little 'R and R,' and will be back in the summer."

Longtime Catalano assistant trainer Fernando Canteria reported that after the Kentucky Oaks, the half sister to two grade 1 winners had so much mud in her right eye, she was unable to open it upon arrival back at Barn 30.

Prior to the Oaks, Farrell won four consecutive two-turn stakes in her division, including three grade 2 events and a sweep of the three Kentucky Oaks preps at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Long held in high regard her connections, the filly appeared poised for a big performance until the rains inundated Louisville.

Cummings, who also co-bred Farrell's half brothers Carpe Diem   and J. B.'s Thunder with wife Bacola and sold them at auction, echoed much of Catalano's sentiments about the most accomplished horse to wear Coffee Pot's colors.

"As they turned up the backside, we thought she was well-positioned," Cummings said. "All the way down the backstretch behind the speedballs, we felt good about it, but she just couldn't put it all together and Channing did the right thing by not pushing her when she couldn't handle the track.

"We had Dr. Bramlage take a detailed look at her and we decided a little time off would be good. She had a pretty ambitious schedule from early September until the Oaks and maybe that put some strain on her joints, so we'll give her some time off at Woodline Farm. After that, we'll point to Saratoga and hopefully get her back to her best form. She'll live to fight another day." 

A stone's throw from historic Claiborne Farm, Woodline Farm on Winchester Road in Paris, Ky., is the base of bloodstock professional and longtime Coffee Pot associate Beau Lane.