Richard Beal and Lana Ramsey's Ema Bovary worked a brilliant five furlongs at Keeneland on Wednesday morning, preparing for her engagement in the $175,000 Vinery Madison to be run on April 7. The Chilean-bred daughter of Edgy Diplomat, winner of eight straight races mostly in Northern California, stopped clocker Tom Bridges' watch in 1:00 1/5. "It was a sensational work," Bridges said. "I caught her going off in :14 and change. She really finished up super. I can see why she has such a great record." Assistant trainer Debbie Hoonan, a former jockey, who was aboard for the work, was thrilled with the Larry Ross trainee. "She went great," Hoonan exclaimed. "She is such a good filly. She'll do exactly what you want her to do. I couldn't be happier with the way she worked." Northern California-based jockey Roberto Gonzalez is scheduled to fly in for the Vinery Madison, but Hoonan was asked if she wanted to ride Ema Bovary if his plane was late.
"Put me on," she said. "We'll win!"