Keeneland-based Kentucky Oaks contenders completed key workouts Wednesday as preparations intensify for the prestigious May 2 race at Churchill Downs.
Bless the Broken (Laoban) breezed four furlongs in :48 flat (6/43) over the Keeneland main track. The Cypress Creek Equine and Madaket Stable-owned filly, who captured the Listed Bourbonette Oaks on Turfway Park’s synthetic surface March 22, worked alongside stablemate Bermuda Triangle (Justify), recording splits of :11.60 and :24.80 before galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.
“It was good; we weren’t trying to do too much,” trainer Will Walden said while observing his charge cooling out. “Happy with the way she is coming into the race. Hopefully she is peaking at the right moment.”
Bless the Broken — named after the 2004 Rascal Flatts song “Bless the Broken Road” — will remain at the shedrow Thursday before vanning to Churchill Downs Friday.
Early On (Union Rags) also worked Wednesday for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., completing her half-mile in :48.60 (10/43). The New York-bred filly broke her maiden at Gulfstream on February 5 and has since finished second in both the Virginia Oaks on March 15 and the GIII Gazelle Stakes on April 5.
At Churchill Downs, multiple Grade I-placed Quickick (McKinzie) worked five furlongs in company in 1:01.20 with Edgar Morales aboard. The Tom Amoss trainee recorded fractions of :24.40 and :36.60, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20 and seven furlongs in 1:27.80.
“She’s not that big a filly and all of her major work was behind her,” Amoss explained. “This was just a maintenance work.”
Amoss confirmed that Umberto Rispoli will have the mount on Quickick, who finished third in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Baoma Corp.’s Tenma (Nyquist), winner of the GII Santa Anita Oaks, made her first appearance on the Churchill track Wednesday morning for trainer Bob Baffert.
Kentucky Oaks contender Quickick (outside) with @EMoralesRacing up worked 5F with Lady Orient (inside) in 1:01.20 for trainer @TomAmossRacing. pic.twitter.com/CKZwRLoJ3E
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires)
Kentucky Oaks contender Quickick (outside) with April 23, 2025
