Secret Oath completed major preparations for the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 15 at Oaklawn with a five-furlong bullet workout Friday morning for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and breeder/owner Briland Farm (Robert and Stacy Mitchell).
Breezing over a fast surface immediately after Oaklawn opened for training, Secret Oath covered the distance in 1:00 under her regular breeze rider, jockey Mickaelle Michel. It was the fastest of 23 works recorded at the distance. Secret Oath recorded splits of :12.40 for her opening eighth of a mile, :25.20 for a quarter mile, :37.20 for 3 furlongs and :48.20 for a half-mile before galloping out 6 furlongs in 1:14.80, according to lead clocker Jim Hamilton.
Friday's work was the third for Secret Oath since her 2 ¾-length victory in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles March 11. The Azeri was Oaklawn's final major prep for the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom, among the country's biggest two-turn prize for older females.
“She did just everything perfect,” Michel said, noting the target time for the work was 1:00. “It was easy for her.”
Secret Oath was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2022 after winning Oaklawn's $200,000 Martha Washington Stakes and $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) and the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Azeri marked the 4-year-old debut for Secret Oath, who has a 6-2-3 record from 14 lifetime starts and earnings of $1,982,267.
Also working toward the Apple Blossom Friday morning at Oaklawn was Hot and Sultry for trainer Norm Casse and prominent Arkansas owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. Hot Sultry, fourth in the Azeri, breezed a half-mile in :47.80. She galloped out 5 furlongs in :59.80 and 6 furlongs in 1:13. The Azeri was the two-turn debut for Hot and Sultry, who won the $150,000 American Beauty Stakes for older fillies and mares at 6 furlongs Jan. 21 at Oaklawn.
Millionaire Grade 1 winner Clairiere, also pointing for the Apple Blossom, galloped Friday morning at Oaklawn for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and breeder/owner Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke). Clairiere finished second in last year's Apple Blossom and second in the Azeri, which was her 5-year-old debut.
Post positions for the Apple Blossom and the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 15 will be drawn Monday. The Count Fleet is for older horses at six furlongs.
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