Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful Class Above posted a bullet six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 under Dana Barnes. "She's just doing fantastic," Baffert said. "She's doing really good right now." Class Above, a bay daughter of Quiet American owned by Padua Stables, won the Bourbonette Breeders' Cup Handicap at Turfway Park on March 20 in her last start.
A handful of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopefuls were out for workouts over Santa Anita's fast main track on Monday, including Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) hopeful Pomeroy, who went five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 in company with stablemate Tarkovsky, who was given the same final time. Pomeroy broke off about four lengths behind Tarkovsky before reaching even terms with his workmate at the eighth pole and the pair continued on to cross the wire together. "He worked great," trainer Patrick Biancone said. "Like usual. He seems to be in very good form going into the Lexington, has recovered well off his last race (a runner-up finish to Saratoga County in the March 20 Gotham Stakes) and I expect a lot of improvement on Saturday."Pomeroy, a Kentucky-bred son of Boundary and the Seeking the Gold mare Questress, has earned $128,000 of which $90,000 is graded. A strong performance in the Lexington will likely produce a trip to Louisville for the Run for the Roses, Biancone said. Pomeroy will ship to Keeneland on Wednesday with the remainder of Biancone's stable. Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Wimbledon was also out for a work Monday and the gray son of Wild Rush logged a half-mile in :47 2/5, breezing, under regular exercise rider Dana Barnes. The James McIngvale colorbearer finished fifth in the April 3 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) in his last start. "He worked great," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He came out of his last race in great shape." Baffert also reported that Preachinatthebar, who beat just one rival in Saturday‚s Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), emerged from the nine-furlong race in good order and will most likely head on to the Derby. "We'll be ready next time," Baffert said. "We‚re going to take the blinkers off, though, because he was too keen. He started getting keen a little too early in his last race (a win in the March 14 San Felipe Stakes). Both horses will have different riders (in the Kentucky Derby)," Baffert said, adding that the details of who the replacements will be are still being worked out.
