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Bella Bellucci Breezes; Ile De France To Try Oaks
By Derby Notes Team

Kentucky Oaks Headlines:

  • Bella Bellucci works seven furlongs
  • Ile De France to run in Oaks
  • 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.

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