Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Oxbow is expected to return to the worktab July 6 or 7 at Churchill Downs, Calumet Farm manager Eddie Kane confirmed July 5. The sophomore son of Awesome Again will be the third victor from this year's Triple Crown classics to get back into action, as Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Palace Malice both recently began working again.
Oxbow, who finished 3 1/4 lengths behind Palace Malice in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont on June 8, should ship to Saratoga Race Course shortly after his breeze. As is typical for this time of year, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is in the process of shipping his stable to the upstate New York oval.
"As far as I know he's been doing fantastic, talking to Wayne all reports are he's doing great," Kane remarked. "He's still at Churchill and tomorrow or Sunday, weather permitting, the plan is to work there."
Connections of the Preakness winner have not yet officially announced whether the colt will run in the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II), or wait until the Aug. 24 Travers (gr. I). Right now Orb is likely to train straight to the Travers for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable, while trainer Todd Pletcher has Dogwood Stable's Palace Malice pointing for the Jim Dandy en route to the Travers.
Before finishing a length in front of Orb in the Belmont, Oxbow won the Preakness by 1 3/4 lengths in frontrunning fashion under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens to give Calumet Farm, now owned by billionaire Brad Kelley, a historic score.
"He's the hero of the farm," Kane said.