Godolphin’s Bella Ballerina, winner of the Golden Rod (G2) and the Rachel Alexandra (G2), continued her preparations for an expected run in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) by working 5 furlongs in 1:01.80 in company Saturday morning over a fast track at Keeneland.

(Click here for a video of the work.)

Runner-up in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in her most recent start for trainer Brendan Walsh, Bella Ballerina had worked a half-mile in :48.20 here last Saturday.

“It was a great work and she was very comfortable behind horses,” Walsh said of the move in which Bella Ballerina rated behind workmates Diamond Eyed Jack and Get Them Roses. “She will have one more work here next week and then her final work at Churchill Downs.”

Bella Ballerina is a half-sister to Pretty Mischievous, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2023 trained by Walsh. She is following a similar path that Pretty Mischievous took to winning the Kentucky Oaks that spring, having won the Rachel Alexandra and being runner-up in the Fair Grounds Oaks.

Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard for the Oaks victory, has been the regular pilot for Bella Ballerina  including this morning’s work.

“Today was very similar to last week sitting behind horses,” Gaffalione said. “She followed all my cues this morning. She is a lot like her sister and both are very classy.”