After arriving at Churchill Downs safely on Sunday night, Hoffman Thoroughbreds, Tom McCrocklin, and Medallion Racing's Promiseher America had her first gallop across Churchill Downs' main track on Wednesday. The Gazelle (G2)-winner galloped 1 1/4 miles under exercise rider Fernando Tapara in preparation for Friday's Kentucky Oaks (G1).
“Fernando said she felt awesome and was looking around a lot today,” trainer Ray Handal said. “We did all the heavy lifting back home so I wanted to ship her in, jog, change her shoes, and get her comfortable with her surroundings. She galloped today and looked around a bit. She'll gallop tomorrow and look around less, so she'll be relaxed on race day.”
Handal returns to Churchill Downs for the first time since May of 2013, and he brought Kentucky Derby alumni Giant Finish with him. Having worked for trainer Anthony Dutrow prior to beginning his own barn, Handal was on hand for Giant Finish's 10th-place finish to Orb.
“Giant Finish is my pony now,” Handal said. “I saddled him for the Derby. He's kind of the reason I started training (on my own) because the owners were so thrilled, and they gave me my first two horses to start training. I kept Giant Finish and now he's 13, so hopefully we can make a Derby with him around. It would be a nice way to come full circle.”
Assistant trainer Rodrigo Montecino rode Giant Finish to accompany Promiseher America.
The chestnut daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was a third-out maiden winner going a one-turn mile on Feb. 19 at the Big A before providing Handal with his first graded stakes triumph when capturing the G3 Gazelle on April 8 – the final local Oaks prep – by a half-length.
Bred in Kentucky by Robert and Lawana Low, Promiseher America is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Promisedyouheaven, whose dam Hurricane Bernie is a half-sister to dual Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection [2012-13]. She was bought for $75,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
The post ‘Full Circle’: Kentucky Derby Alum Giant Finish Serving As Pony For Trainer Ray Handal’s First Oaks Starter appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
