Secret Oath Stands Tall in Honeybee

Briland Farm’s homebred Secret Vow possibly on the road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) if Arrogate’s daughter continues her dominance over Oaklawn Park Oval.

Since shipping into Hot Springs, Ark., this past winter, Secret Oath landed her last two starts for a total of 15 1/2, including a 7 1/long ride. 4 on January 29 Martha Washington sealants group. Her most recent win has her relationships considering the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 2 as a possibility if all goes well in what may be was her final foray into $300,000 in Honeybee Staking shares February 26 (G3).

“The way that[Secret Oath]wins is what you want to see, if it’s a pony,” said coach D. Wayne Lukas. “We’re going to leave all our picks on the table. You don’t have to nominate (for the Arkansas Derby) until March 18. She’s not on it now. But if I think she’s already there, she’s not. dominate, and we’ll see what Rebel (G2) creates — I’ve done it before and I don’t want to do it again. I did it with Althea. I did it with Chien. won Color in California with great success.”

The Hall of Fame coach’s winning colorway led to a 7 1/2 length win in the 1988 Santa Anita Derby (G1) before making his name in the history books with an impressive scoreline in Run for the Roses. Althea, based at Oaklawn Park in place of Lukas for her 3-year-old spring campaign, finished second in the Virtual Stakes (G1) match against the fillings before equalizing by beating the boys in the 1984 Arkansas Derby (G1). She finished the position in that year’s Kentucky Derby.

“If you’re looking at the Derby picture with a grudge, there’s a couple of things,” Lukas said. “Number 1, I think they have to be dominant, whatever their gender. You have to feel comfortable. Number 2, I think you need to check the depth of the pool before going deep.”

After she counted Martha Washington’s votes, Secret Oath collected 10 points for the starting spot in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). The 1/16-mile Honeybee is worth 50 points to the winner and prepares for Oaklawn’s premier race for 3-year-olds, the $600,000 Illusion (G3) on the day of the Arkansas Derby.

A key ingredient to Secret Oath’s success is her ability to tailor her pace kindly to her rider, which will only aid chestnuts this spring as day races begin. longer and more difficult. With speed Martha Washington runner-up Option return, as well as shippers in Louisiana Free like a girl and deposit classification Yugiri Undoubtedly just entering the starting gate after three months of layoffs, Secret Oath’s good play has only benefited her in what looks to be a fast-paced up front.

Luis Contreras retains the mount in the Oath of Secrets.

Sekie and Tsunebumi Yoshihara’s Yuugiri was the winner of last September’s impressive debut at Churchill Downs before running second far 1 1/16 miles in the Rags to Riches Stakes on October 31. In the last attempt of the season before being scrapped, Shackleford filly redeemed himself around two turns, turning almost every pole into a win in the Golden Stick (G2) Bet on November 27 before ending late with Dream Lith .

Also entering the six-horse field are recent Oaklawn maiden winners Ice orchid and Red Queen .