Undefeated Kathleen O. Tunes up for Kentucky Oaks with Keeneland Work

UNDEFEATED KATHLEEN O. TUNES UP FOR KENTUCKY OAKS 
WITH KEENELAND WORK

Winngate Stables’ unbeaten Kathleen O. – who is atop the points leaderboard for the 148^th running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs – worked 4 furlongs in :48.60 Saturday morning over a fast track at Keeneland for trainer Shug McGaughey.

According to Keeneland clockers, the Upstart filly galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:01 and 6 furlongs in 1:15.80 after clocking splits of :12.80, :25.60 and :37.40 under exercise rider David Jego. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“I was hoping to see just what I saw,” McGaughey said. “She does not need a whole lot (of training). She is coming off a race two weeks ago. (The time and the gallop out) were just what I was looking for. So far we are right on track.”

Kathleen O. opened her career last November with a victory at Aqueduct. She has won three stakes this year at Gulfstream Park: the 1-mile Cash Run by 8½ lengths on New Year’s Day, the 1-mile Davona Dale (G2) on March 5 and the 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on April 2. 

“She has been a pleasant surprise,” McGaughey said. “She continues to amaze. She gets better and better. I waited (to give her the first race) because she is a big, tall filly. We finally ran her and then ran her back in a stakes, which is really not my style. I have been amazed at her progression. She does what she does easy.” 

Kathleen O. is scheduled to have one more timed work at Keeneland and then ship to Churchill for her final work before the Oaks. 

“We brought her to Keeneland because horses thrive here in the spring,” McGaughey said. “I don’t think adapting to a new track (at Churchill) will be a problem.”

Kathleen O., who sold as a weanling at Keeneland’s 2019 November Breeding Stock Sale, is the first horse owned by octogenarian Patrick Kearney, a golfing acquaintance of McGaughey’s, who campaigns as Winngate Stables. McGaughey said Kearney has received offers to buy the filly, but at this point she is not for sale.

“He is enjoying the attention he is getting,” McGaughey said. “He is in it to enjoy racing. He is in it to have a good time.”