Oaks Hope Gallant Secret Works at Keeneland

By Kathleen Adams
Trainer James Jackson said Elkhorn Oaks Inc.'s Gallant Secret, a contender in Friday's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), breezed five-eighths of a mile over the Keeneland training track Saturday morning in 1:03 3/5.

"It was exactly what I wanted for the work," Jackson said.

Jackson said the horse would remain stabled at Keeneland and ship in for the race Friday morning.

Meanwhile, track conditions at Churchill Downs forced the connections of at least one Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender to reconsider plans for an early morning workout.

Memorette, who finished third to Kentucky Oaks favorite Sis City in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I), will instead breeze Sunday following the renovation break said Ignacio Correas, assistant to trainer Bill Currin.

"The track was not very good," Correas said. "There was a lot of water. So we'll wait an extra day."

Correas said Joe Deegan will work the filly, a homebred for the California-based Currin and wife Betty.

Dave Rock, assistant to trainer Graham Motion said Pandora Farms' Dance Away Capote will most likely gallop in the days leading up to the Oaks.

"She's doing great," he said. "No hiccups so far. Knock on wood."

Following yesterday's bullet workout, assistant Georgia Jackson said the Bernie Flint trainee Runway Model will probably gallop until race day.

Summerly, the chestnut daughter of Summer Squall is expected to work sometime early next week for trainer Steve Asmussen.

No decision has been made yet regarding a possible Oaks run for Buckram Oak Farm's Aspen Tree.

"There's a chance she'll (breeze) tomorrow," said assistant trainer Ian Wilkes.

The Carl Nafzger-trained daughter of Holy Bull could instead run in the 7 1/2–furlong La Troienne (gr.III) said Wilkes.

And although she is named on the official Kentucky Oaks barn list, trainer Dallas Stewart said he has no plans to enter Cape Hope in the race.