Kathleen O | Horse Racing Free Tips

TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 10

While several of the sport's best 3-year-old fillies have still yet to race this year, there were plenty of developments since we last checked in with our top 10 for the GI Kentucky Oaks. The biggest story came Sunday out of California, where Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) demolished the competition in the GIII Las Virgenes. A day earlier, Girl With a Dream (Practical Joke) won the GIII Forward Gal S. at seven furlongs at Gulfstream, upsetting 3-5 favorite Radio Days (Gun Runner). The runner-up appeared to be a serious Oaks candidate for Shug McGaughey, but she'll need to do more before cracking our top 10. At Aqueduct on Sunday, Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) won the Ruthless S. at seven furlongs and is on the bubble when it comes to making this list.

Here's a look at the top 3-year-old fillies who are aiming for the May 6 Oaks:

1) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/ Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 4-4-0-0, $1,480,000. Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 30.

Echo Zulu had her first work this year on Tuesday when breezing three furlongs in 39.80. “She's doing good,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I waited a few days after a lot of rain this week. We will continually pick it up with her.” With her first work coming on Feb. 8, it's clear Asmussen is in no hurry to get his soon-to-be-named champion back into the entries and he has not revealed yet where or when she will make her 3-year-old debut. Echo Zulu was nominated to the Triple Crown, but Asmussen has given no indication that he is thinking GI Kentucky Derby instead of the Oaks. After a stellar 2-year-old season, she deserves to be considered No. 1 until proven otherwise.

2) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant Gizmo) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $180,000 ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA ylg '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-0, $56,600. Last Start: 1st GIII Las Virgenes S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: N/A.

Unlike most of Bob Baffert's top horses, Adare Manor was anything but an overnight sensation. She didn't break her maiden until her third start, which was when Baffert sent her two turns for the first time. A 12-length winner that day, she followed it up with another explosive effort in the Las Virgenes. She won by 13 lengths and got a 94 Beyer, the best for any 3-year-old filly this year. The only knock is that she faced just three rivals. Had she been trained by anyone else, Adare Manor would have gotten 10 Kentucky Oaks points, but no horses trained by Baffert are eligible to be awarded points for the Oaks or the GI Kentucky Derby. How will that situation be resolved and will owner Michael Lund Peterson stick with Baffert? Stay tuned. Baffert has not said where she will run next, but the GII Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 9 seems like the logical spot.

3) KATHLEEN O. (Upstart–Quaver, by Blame) O-Winngate Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Bridlewood Farm (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $8,000 wlg '19 KEENOV; $50,000 ylg '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW, 2-2-0-0, $104,760. Last Start: 1st Cash Run S. Next Start: GII Davona Dale. S, GP, Mar. 5. KY Oaks Points: 0.

There's a lot to like about this filly. She is undefeated in two starts, overcame a sluggish start to win the Cash Run S. on Jan 1 at Gulfstream and is trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. The problem is that she isn't fast. She ran a 67 Beyer when breaking her maiden in November at Aqueduct and then a 78 when winning the Cash Run. McGaughey's horses never peak early, so there is no doubt a lot of upside with a filly that was visually impressive when winning at Gulfstream. She must still prove she can go two turns, and will get that chance in the GII Davona Dale S.

4) JUJU'S MAP (Liam's Map–Nagambie, by Flatter) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $190,000 ylg '20 KEEJAN; $300,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-2-0, $620,800. Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 18.

Trainer Brad Cox hasn't had much to say about his Grade I-winning filly who was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies behind Echo Zulu. As of Wednesday, she had yet to have her first published breeze of the year. If she doesn't show up on the work tab soon, we'll drop her from the list. That said, she clearly has the talent to be a major player in the 3-year-old filly division this year. Her 4 1/4-length win in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. was one of the more impressive races turned in by any 2-year-old filly in 2021.

5) SECRET OATH (Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American) O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $285,167. Last Start: 1st Martha Washington S. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 26. KY Oaks Points: 10.

The story here is D. Wayne Lukas. The 86-year-old Hall of Famer is back in the spotlight with a filly that has the talent to give him his fifth Oaks win and his first since Seaside Attraction way back in 1990. When she won the Martha Washington S. it was Lukas's first stakes victory since Apr. 7, 2018, when he won the GIII Commonwealth S. at Keeneland. Secret Oath didn't show much until blowing out an allowance field at Oaklawn on Dec. 31, winning by 8 1/4 lengths. She backed that up with a 7 1/4-length win in the Martha Washington, also at Oaklawn.

6) EDA (Munnings–Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid) O-Baoma Corporation; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 ylg '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-4-1-0, $370,000. Last Start: 1st GI Starlet S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: N/A.

Eda was a late scratch from the Las Virgenes and Baffert has yet to announce any future plans for her. Baoma Corp. director Ed Nevins said there is nothing amiss with the filly and she is still on track for the Oaks. Like Adare Manor, her status for the Oaks is up in the air because of Baffert's situation. She hasn't been seen since winning the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos on Dec. 4. It was an important win for her as it proved she could go two turns after she began her career with five straight tries in sprint races.

7) GERRYMANDER (Into Mischief–Ruby Lips, by Hard Spun) O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Pollock Farms (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $375,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GISP, 4-2-2-0, $235,500. Last Start: 1st Tempted S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 4.

Gerrymander, the winner of the Tempted S., has been making steady progress in Florida for Chad Brown. Her latest work was a four-furlong breeze in :48.80 at Payson Park. Brown said he has yet to pick out a race fo her. Normally, the Tempted is not that important a race, but Gerrymander beat Magic Circle (Kantharos) and Nest (Curlin) that day. Magic Circle came back to win the Busanda S. and Nest returned with a win in the GII Demoiselle S. Gerrymander has never run beyond a mile or around two turns.

8) LA CRETE (Medaglia d'Oro–Cavorting, by Bernardini) O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: SW, 2-2-0-0, $159,460. Last Start: 1st Silverbulletday S. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 10.

La Crete is a very interesting filly for the Steve Asmussen barn. A half-sister to GI Cotillion S. winner Clairiere (Curlin) out of MGISW Cavorting (Bernardini), she entered the conversation for the Kentucky Oaks with a determined win in the Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds. Since her top Beyer number is just a74, it looks like she's going to have to improve to pull off a win in a race like the Oaks, but, with her breeding and her connections, there is a lot of upside here. For her, the Rachel Alexandra will be a big test.

La Crete | Coady Photo

9) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-1, $205,000. Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S. Next Start: Suncoast S., TAM, Feb. 12. KY Oaks Points: 10.

She will make her 3-year-old debut Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs in the Suncoast S. for the white-hot Todd Pletcher stable. Her biggest win came in the Demoiselle, but she didn't beat a stellar field that day. She might have an easy time of it in the Suncoast and then will get a big test in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. After winning last year with Malathaat (Curlin), Pletcher is looking to become the first trainer to win back-to-back Oaks' since his old boss, Wayne Lukas, did it in 1989 and 1990.

10) MAGIC CIRCLE (Kantharos–Magic Humor, by Distorted Humor) O-J.W. Singer LLC; B-Manitou Farm, LLC (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales History: $50,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $110,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 5-2-1-1, $194,000. Last Start: 1st Busanda S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 13.

Magic Circle failed in her first test in Grade I company, running a poor fourth in last year's Frizette S. But she's gotten better since then and picked up her first stakes win when taking down top honors in the Busanda S. on Jan. 23 ast the Big A. By Kantharos, her pedigree may not scream nine furlongs, but based on her win in the 1 1/8-mile Busanda, distance doesn't appear to be a problem. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez has yet to announce her next start.

The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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TDN Oaks Top 10 for Jan. 27

Most of the heavyweights when it comes to the leading contenders for the GI Kentucky Oaks have yet to surface in 2022, but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been any activity. Kathleen O. (Upstart) looked like a filly with unlimited potential when winning the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. at Gulfstream for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and fellow Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen looks to have another top prospect in La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro). A half-sister to Grade I winner Clairiere (Curlin), she won last Saturday's Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds.

But it's hard to imagine anyone replacing Asmussen's Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in the top spot in these rankings anytime soon. The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, who will be named 2021 2-year-old filly champion next month, comes into 2022 with impeccable credentials, which include three Grade I wins.

Here's a look, albeit an early one, at the top 3-year-old fillies who are aiming for the May 6 Oaks

1) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $1,480,000. Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 30.

Asmussen is in no hurry with his 3-year-old filly star, who has yet to have her first work of 2022. He said she will likely make her first start this year in March, which would mean two preps for the Oaks. There's no reason for him to be in a hurry as all he really needs to accomplish during prep season is to make sure he brings her back at the same level she was at the end of last year. If that happens, she's going to be hard to beat in the Oaks. She may have been overshadowed by some of the older male stars that raced in 2021, but Echo Zulu had what was nothing short of a spectacular year. She was four-for-four, won the GI Spinaway S, the GI Frizette S and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. And they never came close to beating her. Her smallest margin of victory during the year was four lengths, the result in the Spinaway. Asmussen will be seeking his third Oaks win.

2) KATHLEEN O. (Upstart–Quaver, by Blame) O-Winngate Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Bridlewood Farm (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $8,000 wnl '19 KEENOV; $50,000 yrl '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $104,760. Last Start: 1st Cash Run S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

While Kathleen O. has not accomplished as much as some on this list, it's all about potential. McGaughey doesn't ordinarily push his young horses, but he had this one ready to break her maiden in her career debut, a Nov. 12 maiden race at Aqueduct. That set her up for a run in the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. at Gulfstream, where she dominated in a very impressive effort. She hesitated at the start and then was bumped and shut off. She overcame all that to win by 8 1/2 lengths. Not bad for a horse who brought just $8,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, the first of three times she was sold at auction. She worked a half-mile on Jan. 22 at Payson Park, which was her first work in 30 days, which may be a cause for concern. She is the first horse ever owned by newcomer Pat Kearney.

3) JUJU'S MAP (Liam's Map–Nagambie, by Flatter) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III; T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $190,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $620,800. Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

If not for Echo Zulu she would have been last year's champion 2-year-old filly and the leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks. A member of the potent Brad Cox stable, she broke her maiden at Keeneland in her second career start before winning the GI Darley Alcibiades S. by 4 1/4 lengths. She might have run the best race of her life in the Juvenile Fillies, where she was second, but ran into a buzz saw in Echo Zulu. She has yet to have her first work of 2022 and Cox said he has not decided yet where she will make her 3-year-old debut.

4) EDA (Munnings–Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid) O-Baoma Corporation; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 yrl '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $370,000. Last Start: 1st GI Starlet S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Though she was the 11-10 favorite and was facing just five others, Eda picked up a big win in the GI Starlet S. last December at Los Alamitos. She had looked good in her prior two starts, both wins, in the Desi Arnaz and the Anoakia, but both were sprints. Asked to go1 1/16 miles and two turns at Los Al, she passed the test, wining by a half-length for jockey Juan Hernandez and trainer Bob Baffert. For now, she can't run in the Oaks because Churchill Downs has suspended Baffert for two years. That's also why she didn't pick up any points in the Starlet, a race where 10 points is awarded to the winner. But none of that means she won't be in the Oaks. Baffert could still find a court that will rule that he can participate in the Oaks and the GI Kentucky Derby. If not, the owner, Baoma Corporation, has the option of moving her to another trainer.

5) GERRYMANDER (Into Mischief–Ruby Lips, by Hard Spun) O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Pollock Farms (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $375,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $235,500. Last Start: 1st Tempted S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 4.

Chad Brown came very close to winning his first Kentucky Oaks last year when Search Results (Flatter) finished second, beaten just a neck. While Brown is best known for his turf runners, he's perfectly capable of developing top dirt horses and it looks like he has another one in Gerrymander. After finishing second, 7 1/4 lengths behind Echo Zulu, in the Frizette, she came back to win the Tempted S. over a quality field that includes two other members of this Top 10 poll. She's had just one work this year, a three-furlong breeze Jan. 23 at Payson Park in :38 flat. Brown said he has yet to pick out any races for her.

6) LA CRETE (Medaglia d'Oro–Cavorting, by Bernardini) O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $159,460. Last Start: 1st Silverbulletday S. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Has yet to run that fast. She got a 67 Beyer when breaking her maiden and then a 74 when winning the Silverbulletday in a gutsy effort. She was passed in the stretch by Fannie and Freddie (Malibu Moon) but came back just before the wire to win by a length. Everything about her suggests she will continue to get better. She is a half-sister to the talented Clairiere (Curlin), who was fourth in last year's Oaks before going on to win the GI Cotillion S. at Parx. If she's as good as her big sister she will be a filly to be reckoned with this winter and spring.

7) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $205,000. Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S. Next Start: Suncoast S., Tam, Feb. 5. KY Oaks Points: 10

Seeking to win his second straight Oaks and his fifth overall, which would tie him with Woody Stephens for most career Oaks wins, Todd Pletcher has taken aim on the race with Nest. After finishing third in the Tempted, she won the GII Demoiselle S., which is contested at 1 1/8 miles. Nest will make her 3-year-old debut Feb. 5 at Tampa Bay Downs in the Suncoast S. The Suncoast is run at a mile-and-40-yards. Pletcher said the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland will be her next target after that.

8) MAGIC CIRCLE (Kantharos–Magic Humor, by Distorted Humor) O-J.W. Singer LLC; B-Manitou Farm, LLC (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales History: $50,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $110,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $194,000. Last Start: 1st Busanda S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 13.

A $110,000 purchase at the OBS April 2-year-old sale, Magic Circle was trounced by Echo Zulu in the Frizette last year, but has really come on since then. She finished second in the Tempted, third in the Demoiselle and then won the Busanda. Perhaps more of a blue-collar horse, she'll need to do more to be considered a top Oaks candidate, but there's no reason why she can't continue to improve. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he's not sure where she's going to run next, but Rodriguez rarely ships out of New York.

9) HIDDEN CONNECTION (Connect–C J's Gal, by Awesome Again) O-Hidden Brook Farm & Black Type Thoroughbreds; B-St. Simon Place (KY); T-W. Bret Calhoun. Sales History: $49,000 RNA wnl '19 KEENOV; $40,000 yrl '20 KEESEP; $55,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSAPR; $85,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $307,525. Last Start: 4th GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 0.

She blew the competition away when winning the GIII Pocahontas S. at Churchill Downs by 9 1/4 lengths for the team of trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Reylu Gutierrez. But she crashed back down to earth when a distant fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Did she not run her race in the Breeders' Cup or was she overmatched after beating suspect competition in the Pocahontas? She's been a regular on the work tab this year with her most recent work coming on Jan. 23 when she went six furlongs in 1:15.20 at the Fair Grounds.

10) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant's Causeway) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $180,000 yrl '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA yrl '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0, $56,600. Last Start: 1st MSW. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Another Baffert runner, her status for the Oaks also remains up in the air. Unlike a lot of Baffert horses, she took her sweet time to get good. After finishing second and fourth in a pair of maiden sprints, she exploded in her first try around two turns, winning a one-mile maiden at Santa Anita by 12 lengths. She got a 93 Beyer for the win, a big number considering that Echo Zulu got a 94 in the Breeders' Cup. Will obviously need to prove she can beat better, but is an interesting prospect.

The post TDN Oaks Top 10 for Jan. 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Owner Hits Jackpot With First Horse

The sport is not supposed to be that easy, even if some people make it look that way sometimes.

Pat Kearney is 83, admits he doesn't know much about racing, has a fairly modest budget and had never owned a horse when he showed up last year at the OBS April 2-year-old sale. Fast forward some eight months later and Kearney is the owner of Kathleen O. (Upstart), one of the more promising 3-year-old fillies in racing right now. Making her second career start Saturday at Gulfstream, Kathleen O. won the Cash Run S. by 8 1/2 lengths in an impressive effort despite hesitating at the start. The victory came after she broke her maiden in her debut in November at Aqueduct.

“It has been an amazing, exciting, energizing experience,” said Kearney, who races under the name of Winngate Stables.

Prior to getting involved in ownership. Kearney was a casual racing fan who started going to the track at Arlington Park with his father as a child.

“I'm not a good handicapper,” he said. “I don't know much about breeding or pedigrees. What I did was take my $50, spend a day at the track and make some bets. It's good entertainment. I always really liked the horses.”

Kearney, who is retired after working in the securities industry in Chicago and as a lawyer, and Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey have known each other for about 20 years and often play golf together. Somewhat out of the blue, Kearney one day asked McGaughey what he thought about his buying some horses.

“I talked to Shug and I asked him if he would work with me and buy some horses,” Kearney said. “I asked him what to do and he said I should buy two horses, a filly and a colt, get them at auction and buy them at a 2-year-old sale. He explained the costs and explained that you don't get into this sport to make money but for the satisfaction and the fun of the game.

“I wanted to find something I was interested in that I could do and didn't have to make a huge commitment. Not so much financially, but more so time and effort. I didn't want to have a lot of obligations.”

Having gotten off to a successful start in the game, Kearney only wishes he started earlier.

“I don't know why I didn't do it earlier,” he said. “About a year ago I just decided I wanted to get involved in something new. Do I wish I did it 10 years earlier? Absolutely. It had just never come up. The one question I had was whether I was too old to get started in the business. Fortunately, I am in good health.”

Kearney bought Kathleen O. for $275,000. He named the filly after his wife, whose maiden name is Kathleen O'Boyle. His other purchase, Cloudy (Noble Mission {GB)}, was bought three days later at the same sale for $130,000. He is winless in two starts.

Buying horses at the sales is somewhat new territory for McGaughey, whose longtime main client, the Phipps family, races primarily homebreds.

“I enjoy going to the sales,” McGaughey said. “I worked the yearling sales pretty good last fall and we bought some nice yearlings. We also looked at some 2-year-olds last winter. It's been fun and interesting.”

It was apparent early on that McGaughey had picked out a filly with talent. Sent off at 3-1 in her first start in her debut, Kathleen O. was next to last and 6 1/2 lengths behind with a furlong remaining, but still found a way to get up in time to win by a head.

“I think we've got a lot to look forward to,” McGaughey said after the Cash Run. “I'm very pleased with the way she's come along and the way she ran today, and her maturity level. I was just saying to [my wife] Alison, think of what she's going to look like in a year from now. She's always been tall and she's still filling out.”

He may still be learning about the sport, but Kearney knows enough to know that the GI Kentucky Oaks could be part of the filly's future.

“I know that she's a very talented horse and I know there is a race called the Kentucky Oaks, but I have no idea if she will qualify for that or not,” Kearney said. “So far, it's been like hitting the lottery. I'm flabbergasted.”

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Lightening Larry, Kathleen O. Record Gulfstream Sprint Stakes Victories

Lea Farms' Lightening Larry, second in back-to-back stakes to end his juvenile campaign, turned away previously undefeated favorite Of a Revolution at the top of the stretch and sprinted clear to a front-running half-length triumph in the $100,000 Limehouse Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The fifth running of the six-furlong Limehouse and the seventh renewal of the $100,000 Cash Run for fillies were among five stakes for newly turned 3-year-olds worth $550,000 in purses on a New Year's Day holiday program headlined by the $150,000 Mucho Macho Man.

Lightening Larry ($8.60) broke alertly and quickly established command under regular rider Romero Maragh, going the opening quarter-mile in 21.75 seconds pressed by Concrete Glory with Of a Revolution settled in fourth on the inside. Maragh remained unmoved as Of a Revolution tipped out to launch a bid leaving the far turn.

“He was just sitting on him, so I felt pretty good turning for home because he hadn't asked him at all. When he did ask him, he responded,” winning trainer Jeff Engler said. “This horse just keeps getting better.”

Of a Revolution, a winner of both his 2-year-old starts, had the length of the stretch to get by but couldn't reel in Lightening Larry, who ran five furlongs in 56.59 before finishing up in a sharp 1:09.40 over a fast main track.

“I didn't expect to be in front, honestly. I thought [Bueno Bueno] would break on top, but we broke so sharp and he just got out there comfortable and just kicked on, which was really nice,” Engler said. “He's a super nice colt.”

Of a Revolution was a clear second, with O Captain, stakes winning filly Last Leaf, Concrete Glory and Bueno Bueno completing the order of finish.

By Uncaptured, the Sovereign Award winner as Canada's champion 2-year-old and Horse of the Year in 2012, Lightening Larry now has three wins and three seconds in seven lifetime starts. He ran second to subsequent Remington Springboard Mile winner Make It Big in the seven-furlong Juvenile Sprint Oct. 30 at Gulfstream and most recently the six-furlong Inaugural Dec. 4 at Tampa Bay Downs.

“He's a grinder. He's a blue-collar horse that just goes out there and tries his heart out every time,” Engler said. “He lays it all on the line, and when he broke sharp I knew we were in a good spot.”

Engler said he has not settled on a next start for Lightening Larry. Upcoming dirt sprints for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream include the seven-furlong Claiborne Swale (G3) Feb. 5 and six-furlong Hutcheson March 19.

“We'll just see how he comes out of it and pick something from there,” Engler said.

Kathleen O. Powers Home a Winner in $100,000 Cash Run
Winngate Stables' Kathleen O., in just her second career race, overcame a poor start to sweep past horses on the far turn and power through the stretch to a 8 ½-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Cash Run at Gulfstream Park.

Handled by the Hall of Fame combination of jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Shug McGaughey, Kathleen O. ($6) completed about one mile in 1:35.97 over a fast main track to earn her second victory in as many tries. She raced once at 2, rallying from last for a head maiden special weight triumph in the slop Nov. 12 at Aqueduct.

“I was hoping she'd break better but she did that the first time. She didn't break that well and it takes her a few strides to get herself up underneath her,” McGaughey said. “Then when she does, [Castellano] said she was there and in a good flow. She got to horses in a hurry and finished up well, so I was very pleased with her. I think she's got a nice future in front of her.”

Breaking from Post 2 in a field of seven under Castellano, also aboard for her debut, Kathleen O. got shuffled back out of the gate and trailed the field as Mi Negrita led the group through splits of 22.74 and 44.94 seconds. Castellano began to let Kathleen O. roll in the clear three wide and she quickly began picking up horses, taking over the top spot from Mi Negrita once straightened for home.

“She has to come from behind. She showed first time in New York at Aqueduct on a sloppy track,” Castellano said. “I don't want to take that away because she doesn't want to be close to the pace. I let her do what she wants. I think Shug he did a great job with the horse. I think she's going to be a really good filly.”

Mi Negrita was a distant but determined second, followed by Fast and Flirty, Queen Camilla, Freccia d'Argento, Jumeirah and Surreal Fantasy.

“I think we've got a lot to look forward to,” McGaughey said. “I'm very pleased with the way she's come along and the way she ran today, and her maturity level. I was just saying to [my wife] Alison, think of what she's going to look like in a year from now. She's always been tall and she's still filling out.”

Kathleen O. is the first horse for Winngate's Patrick Kearney, a Chicago native who spent $275,000 for the dark bay or brown daughter of Upstart, millionaire winner of the 2015 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream. Kearney also has a 3-year-old Noble Mission colt named Cloudy, who went 0-for-2 in 2021.

“They're some people I've known for a while. I play golf with him and he kind of got to asking some questions last winter. I didn't know exactly where he was coming from, but then we ended up buying two horses. One of them is on the farm now but he'll be back, and this filly,” McGaughey said. “This is their first horse, so that worked out pretty good for them.”

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