With co-owner Lewis Lakin looking on, Pure Clan put in her final work for the June 14 Regret (Gr. III) by working five furlongs in 1:02.20 over “firm” turf June 5 under Julien Leparoux.
The work was the second on the grass for Pure Clan, who ran third in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 2 in her most recent start. She had worked the same distance in 1:03.20 May 29 with the “dogs” up.
“I thought she worked well; better than last week,” trainer Bob Holthus said of the move that was accomplish with the dogs up and the rail out 15 feet from the hedge.
Pure Clan, who is owned in partnership by Lakin, IEAH Stable and Pegasus Holding Group Stables, won her first two career starts on the grass. Her next five starts have been on the dirt in graded stakes and that versatility gives Holthus dual options with the daughter of Pure Prize.
“If we go back to the dirt, we will wait for the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) at a mile and a quarter at Belmont on July 19,” Holthus said. “The second part of the Triple Tiara series is the Mother Goose (gr. I) on June 28 and that would be too close, so we will let (Kentucky Oaks winner) Proud Spell and some of the others battle it out there and wait for the last one.
“Mr. Lakin has been contacted about the American Oaks Invitational (gr. I) at Hollywood Park on July 5, and if she runs well here, I think it is a foregone conclusion she will get an invitation. If we do that and stay on the grass, the race at Del Mar (gr. I Del Mar Oaks, Aug. 16) would be the next target. We only want to run her three or four more times this year and want to try to win a Grade I with her.”