Hoffman Thoroughbreds and Tom McCrocklin's Promiseher America recorded her final serious piece of work in preparation for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs, when going a half-mile in 49.77 seconds over a fast Belmont Park training track.
The chestnut daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was piloted by exercise rider Fernando Tapara and traveled the four furlongs outside of stablemate Ribot's Valentine.
Promiseher America was a third-out maiden winner going a one-turn mile on February 19 at the Big A before providing trainer Ray Handal with his first graded stakes triumph when capturing the Grade 3 Gazelle on April 8 – the final local Oaks prep – by a half-length.
Handal, who will be saddling his first Kentucky Oaks contestant, said the work went according to plan.
“Perfect work,” Handal said. “She literally nailed the first eighth in 12 and three [seconds] and picked it up from there. I had her galloping out in 1:02 and 1:16. It was exactly what I wanted. I was looking for 49, 1:01 and four and a 1:15 or 16 gallop out and she did it perfectly. She did it all in-hand just floating over the ground. All systems are go.”
Promiseher America will depart New York on Sunday and is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs early Monday morning. Handal added that Jorge Vargas, Jr., aboard for the Gazelle victory, would most likely retain the mount for the Oaks.
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.
Also on the work tab for Handal was Merrylegs Farm's New York homebred Timeless Journey, who went a half-mile in 50.77 over the training track. Third in the open company Top Flight on April 2 at Aqueduct last out, Timeless Journey could target the Grade 2, $200,000 Ruffian going a one-turn mile on May 6 at Belmont Park.
“She breezed great today. She went 50 and four and had a nice strong gallop out. If it fits, we'll take a shot in there,” Handal said.
Timeless Journey, by Verrazano, defeated fellow Empire State-breds in the March 12 Biogio's Rose at the Big A two starts back in her first stakes conquest.
Handal also spoke of Adelphi Racing Club and Cutair Racing's Funny How, who breezed a half-mile in 49.33 over the training track in preparation for a possible start in the Grade 3, $175,000 Vagrancy on May 14 at Belmont.
Handal said the Vagrancy's 6 1/2-furlong distance is ideal for the New York-bred daughter of Overanalyze as opposed to stretching out for the Ruffian. She was last seen finishing second in the Grade 3 Distaff Handicap on April 7 at the Big A, which ended a five-race win streak.
“The 6 1/2 furlongs we know she can do. The mile is still a bit of a question mark,” Handal said. “Even though she seems like she would go a one-turn mile just fine, I think we just stick to what we know for now and then explore down the line.”
Bred by Hibiscus Stables, Funny How is a half-sister to multiple New York-bred stakes winner Funny Guy.
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