(From Keeneland)
West Point Thoroughbreds’ Justwhistledixie tuned up for an expected run in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) by working five furlongs in 1:00 in company with stablemate Fitz Just Right on April 17 at Keeneland.
“She was doing so good that we gave her an easy half-mile in :50 last week,” said Neal McLaughlin, assistant to his brother, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “Today we gave her company and she did it in hand. I just didn’t want her to do anything crazy like :45 (for a half).”
With Rob Massey on Justwhistledixie and Danny Wright on Fitz Just Right, the duo worked as a team with Fitz Just Right on the inside.
“Fitz Just Right was very keen and she didn’t want to let ‘Dixie’ by,” McLaughlin said. “She is doing really well.”
Fitz Just Right ran second in the Bourbonette Oaks (gr. III) at Turfway Park on March 21 in her most recent start. Justwhistledixie is riding a five-race win streak, highlighted by grade II scores in the Davona Dale and Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park.
“We will ship them over to Churchill Downs on Wednesday,” McLaughlin said. “There is supposed to be some rain coming in, so we will train on Polytrack for a few days, ship Wednesday, gallop over there Thursday and breeze Friday or Saturday.”