Godolphin’s homebred Bella Ballerina, who figures to be one of the leading players for the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1, completed the Keeneland phase of her preparation on Saturday by working 5 furlongs in company on a fast track in 1:00.20.

Click here for a video of the work.

With jockey Tyler Gaffalione up, Bella Ballerina started a couple lengths behind workmates Diamond Eyed Jack and Get Them Roses, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and finished a couple lengths clear of Diamond Eyed Jack. She galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:13.40.

“She will go to Churchill tomorrow,” trainer Brendan Walsh said of the half-sister to his 2023 Kentucky Oaks winner, Pretty Mischievous. “The plan is to do something with her (next) Friday or Saturday or maybe even Sunday depending on weather.”

A winner of three of four starts including the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill, Bella Ballerina rated behind her same two workmates last Saturday, April 11 in a 5-furlong work. Today, she cruised on past on the inside.

“It was designed that way,” Gaffalione said. “We’ve been trying to teach her to relax. She’s been doing great. She’s listening to all my cues, responding well. She’s a very talented filly, everything comes to her easily. You can probably see that in the replay of the workout, but I’m very happy with her. It was a nice routine maintenance work. Just let her come up the inside and she finished well. We’re very happy, and we’ll see how it goes into next week.”

Gaffalione was aboard for the work last week.

“She felt great. Her spirits were up,” Gaffalione said. “She’s got a ton of confidence within herself, and she’s happy. That’s the main thing coming into these races: just make sure their attitude and everything is clicking.”

Walsh is receiving all the right signals from Bella Ballerina.

“She relaxed well behind horses and coming inside rather than outside gave her something else to think about,” Walsh said. “She does things almost too easy. She looks great. We get another good week and a good work, then it is up to her.”