Tempera misses training because of fever
BELTERRA/TAKE THE CAKE - Trainer Carl Nafzger's two Kentucky Oaks
hopefuls galloped Saturday morning, and are "doing well," said Nafzger.
Tracey Wilkes was on Belterra and Janet Ferguson on Take The
Cake.
Both are expected to work early next week.
BELLA BELLUCCI -One of the favorites in Friday's Kentucky Oaks, Michael
Tabor's Bella Bellucci, breezed seven furlongs in 1:30.40 over a fast
track this morning for trainer Neil Drysdale. Marcelino Olguin was
aboard Bella Bellucci, victress in the Comely Stakes (GIII) in New York
recently.
"It was just a steady move," said Drysdale. "She's fit, she just
ran so she doesn't need much."
Bella Bellucci, a daughter of French Deputy, has won four of
five lifetime starts, her only loss occurring when she was third to
Tempera in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Prior to the Comely at
Aqueduct, she won the Santa Paula at Santa Anita. Gary Stevens, who has
ridden the classy filly in her last four races, again has the mount in
the Kentucky Oaks.
IMPERIAL GESTURE/TEMPERA - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) winner
Tempera missed a day of training because of a high temperature,
according to Tom Albertrani, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
"We likely won't know (how much training she will miss) for the
next 24 hours," Albertrani said. "We will just have to keep an eye on
her and see how she is."
Imperial Gesture galloped a mile and a quarter before the
renovation break under exercise rider Lee Roebuck.
Albertrani said the filly "would most likely work Tuesday."
HABIBTI -The Thoroughbred Corp.'s Habibti, runner-up twice to You in
stakes at Santa Anita this winter, galloped a mile and one-half this
morning as she prepares for Friday's renewal of the Kentucky Oaks. The
Tabasco Cat filly was piloted by Mick Jenner this morning for trainer
Bob Baffert.
ILE DE FRANCE - Trainer Richard Mandella informed Churchill Downs
officials Saturday that he intends to run Ile De France in Friday's
Kentucky Oaks.
The daughter of Storm Cat, who was being pointed toward
Thursday's La Troienne, will ship to Churchill Monday.
MS BROOKSKI - Davona Dale winner Ms Brookski galloped under assistant
trainer Jennifer Brown. Trainer Niall O'Callaghan plans to work the Gary
Tanaka trainee next week.
TAKE CHARGE LADY - Select Stable's Take Charge Lady walked the shedrow
at Barn 10 for trainer Ken McPeek, a day after working five furlongs in
:59.60.
McPeek said all was well with the four-time graded stakes
winner, who has taken those events by a combined 19 lengths.
Take Charge Lady is scheduled to return to the track Sunday.
YOU - Kentucky Oaks candidate You jogged a mile Saturday morning with
exercise rider Jose Cuevas up as she points toward the Friday headliner
at the Louisville oval. Trainer Robert Frankel said he was satisfied
with her progress.
"She's doing fine," the Hall of Fame conditioner noted. "She's
done all her major work and I'll just give her an easy blow out two days
before the race. It might not even make the work tab."
You, purchased privately last summer for longtime Frankel client
Edmund Gann of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., has won five of her eight
lifetime starts and $840,440. She'll be ridden in the Oaks by Jerry
Bailey.
Last year Frankel and Bailey were the Eclipse Award winners as
the nation's leading trainer and rider, respectively.