Yuugiri, candy raid begin Kentucky Oaks preparations with Keeneland works

In addition to Kathleen O., two other fillies with designs on a start in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) put in half-mile works Saturday morning. 

Tsunebumi and Sekie Yoshihara’s Yuugiri, winner of the Fantasy (G3) in her most recent start, covered the distance in :50 with trainer Rodolphe Brisset aboard. (Click here for a video of the work.) 

Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and trainer Keith Desormeaux’s Bourbonette Oaks winner, Candy Raid, was clocked in :50.40. 

Yuugiri has accumulated 114 points toward the Kentucky Oaks and is fourth on the leaderboard. Saturday’s work was her first since returning to Keeneland from Oaklawn Park, where she spent the winter. 

“You could see it a lot of times when horses would come here from Florida with the change in the air, the change in the weather that they would just blossom, and you can see it,” Brisset said. “She is doing that, and I am very pleased with her.” 

Yuugiri made her first three starts last year at Churchill Downs, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the Golden Rod (G2). 

“Right now, I am leaning to staying here for her next two works (before the Oaks),” Brisset said. “She has raced at Churchill, and we know she likes the track.” 

Desormeaux indicated that Candy Raid would work again here next week and ship to Churchill on April 28 and have her final work for the Oaks beneath the Twin Spires. 

Candy Raid has 51 points toward the Oaks, good for 13^th place and a spot in the starting gate for the race, which is limited to the top 14 point earners that pass the entry box May 2.