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Promiseher America ‘perfect’ in final breeze for G1 Kentucky Oaks

by NYRA Press Office

• Promiseher America ‘perfect’ in final breeze for G1 Kentucky Oaks
• Thin White Duke, Yes and Yes target $150K Elusive Quality 
• Belmont Park Week 1 stakes probables

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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Thin White Duke, Yes and Yes target $150K Elusive Quality

The talented David Donk-trained duo of Thin White Duke and Yes and Yesare slated to make their return to stakes level in the $150,000 Elusive Quality, a seven-furlong turf sprint for older horses, on May 6 at Belmont Park. 

“They’re both on target and we’re looking forward to running next Saturday,” said Donk. 

Philip Gleaves, Steven Crist, Ken deRegt and Bryan Hilliard’s New York-bred Thin White Duke and Gleaves, Joseph Straus, Jr., and Hugh Fitzsimons’ Yes and Yes both made their seasonal debut in an April 13 optional claimer sprinting six furlongs over the Aqueduct outer turf, finishing a respective fifth and fourth with off-the-pace trips. Yes and Yes finished a nose ahead of Thin White Duke with both of the seasoned geldings finishing just 1 1/2 lengths behind Nothing Better, who won the race in a course record time of 1:06.80. 

Donk said the race was a good starting point for both horses. 

“That race worked as a prep for the stake,” said Donk. “It was a very fast course over there that day and it was a good steppingstone. I know Yes and Yes has a big affinity for Belmont, so it will be fun to get them back over here.” 

Last year, Yes and Yes won three allowance races over the Belmont turf before earning his first graded placing when third in the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint in October over the Aqueduct lawn. Thin White Duke hit the board in 6-of-11 races last season, highlighted by a dramatic nose victory in the Lucky Coin at Saratoga Race Course and a close third-place finish in the Spa's Grade 3 Troy a neck behind multiple graded stakes-winner Golden Pal. 

The Elusive Quality will be the first time Thin White Duke has raced at seven furlongs since May 2021, while Yes and Yes will contest at that distance for the first time since a win in a June optional claimer at Belmont. 

“I know Yes and Yes will handle it as he’s won well at that distance and loves the course,” said Donk. “I don’t think it matters for Duke, but the biggest thing that will probably help him is if he gets pace. He has won at 1 1/16 miles and at 5 1/2 furlongs in Saratoga, so he should be OK.” 

Donk said it is special to train both Thin White Duke and Yes and Yes, who moved to his barn last spring when their previous conditioner, co-owner Gleaves, retired from training. 

“It’s fun to have them because they’re good horses, and they’re able to run in stakes races, which is always fun for everyone in the stable and fun for the owners,” said Donk. “With grass racing they get a break in the winter, so they come back fresh and renewed. It’s fun to keep doing it every year.” 

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Belmont Park Week 1 stakes probables

Friday, May 5

G3 Westchester

Probable: Dr Ardito (Chad Brown), Expressman (Todd Pletcher), Repo Rocks (Jamie Ness), Weyburn (Jimmy Jerkens), White Abarrio (Saffie Joseph, Jr.)

G2 Sheepshead Bay

Probable: Amazing Grace (Christophe Clement), Atomic Blonde (Clement), Higher Truth (Brown), Mylady (Brown), Virginia Joy (Brown)

Possible: Spirit And Glory (Robert Falcone, Jr.)

Saturday, May 6

G2 Fort Marcy

Probable: City Man (Clement), Dynadrive (Tom Morley), Fort Washington (Shug McGaughey), Ocean Atlantique (Mike Maker), Ottoman Fleet (Charlie Appleby), Rockemperor (Brown), Tide of the Sea (Morley)

G2 Ruffian

Probable: Hot Fudge (Linda Rice), Mommasgottarun (Rice), Signal From Noise (Brown), Timeless Journey (Ray Handal) 

Possible: Idiomatic (Brad Cox), Kathleen O. (McGaughey), Maryquitecontrary (McGaughey), Pass the Champagne (George Weaver)

$150K Elusive Quality

Probable: Big Invasion (Clement), Emaraaty (Brown), Heaven Street (Brendan Walsh), Lucky Curlin (Fernando Abreu), Thin White Duke (David Donk), Yes and Yes (Donk)

Possible: Lucky Score (Mark Casse), Straight Answer (Cox)

Sunday, May 7

$150K License Fee

Probable: Minaun (Walsh), Star Devine (Jorge Abreu)

Possible: Goin’ Good (Cox)