Kathleen o., candy raid have final Keeneland works for Kentucky Oaks

Two fillies under consideration for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) put in their final Keeneland works for the race Saturday morning over a fast track. 

Working at 7:30 a.m. after the first track renovation break, Winngate Stables’ undefeated Kathleen O. worked a half-mile in :48.80 under exercise rider David Jego. (Click here for a video of the work.) 

Following a few minutes later was Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and trainer Keith Desormeaux’s Candy Raid, who covered the same distance in :49.20 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. (Click here for a video of the work.)

Kathleen O., the leading point earner on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with 150 points from her victories in the Davona Dale (G2) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), galloped out past the three-quarter pole under Jego, who has been her regular exercise rider all winter. 

“She picked it up and galloped out strong,” said Anthony Hamilton, assistant to trainer Shug McGaughey. “We are in good shape. She’s a happy horse – that’s what you look for.” 

Kathleen O. worked a half-mile in :48.60 here last Saturday in her first work back since winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks on April 2. 

Hamilton said Kathleen O. would make the short trip to Churchill Downs Monday or Tuesday. He said McGaughey, who won the Oaks in 1993 with Dispute, would arrive in Louisville on Wednesday. 

Candy Raid worked a half-mile in :50.40 last Saturday here. She is 13^th on the Oaks leaderboard with 51 points of which 50 came from a victory in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park in her most recent start April 2. 

“This was her last work here,” said Bejarano, who rode Candy Raid for the first time in the victory at Turfway. “She’s feeling good. I got her out five-eighths in 1:02 and change.” 

Candy Raid is scheduled to ship to Churchill on Thursday and have her final pre-Oaks work there.