Kentucky invader Bizzy Caroline, preparing for the upcoming $250,000 American Oaks (gr. IT), worked on the Hollywood Park turf for the first time July 10 and recorded a bullet half-mile drill.
Bizzy Caroline was timed in :47 4/5 seconds for four furlongs over firm turf under Rafael Bejarano, who will ride her for the first time in the 1 ¼- mile American Oaks on grass July 16. It was the fastest of five moves at the distance over the turf course.
“She galloped out five furlongs in a minute,” said Alan Shell, assistant to trainer Ken McPeek. “Rafael loved her.”
Bizzy Caroline, a daughter of Afleet Alex —Sacre Coeur, by Saint Ballado, comes off a convincing 2 1/4-length victory in the Regret Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the Churchill Downs turf June 18, her third consecutive grass victory. She has won three of six starts overall with earnings of $148,497.
“She worked better on turf than on Cushion Track,” said Shell in reference to a five-furlong drill in 1:02 1/5 on Hollywood's main track July 2. The Kentucky-bred filly is a homebred owned by Catesby Clay.
Cambina, another American Oaks candidate, also worked four furlongs on turf and was timed in :49 2/5.
Trainer Jeff Bonde said that Martin Garcia, who won the race last year on Harmonious, would be aboard Cambina for the first time. The Irish-bred filly finished third in both the Senorita Stakes (gr. IIIT) and Honeymoon Handicap (gr. IIT) after three straight stakes wins on the Santa Anita turf.
Trainer John Shirrreffs, who sent out Harmonious to victory last year, said that both Star Billing and Nereid would start in the American Oaks.
Star Billing, winner of the Senorita and runner-up in the Honeymoon, will be ridden for the first time by Joel Rosario. Regular rider Joe Talamo will be back aboard Nereid in her stakes bow in quest of a third straight win.
The two fillies completed preparation July 9 with six-furlong works on Cushion Track. Star Billing was timed in 1:12 3/5, Nereid in 1:13 2/5.
Bizzy Caroline
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