Kentucky Oaks Heroine (G1) 2022 secret oath continues her 4-year-old debut in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for mares and larger mares on March 11 at Oaklawn Park.
Briland Farms hasn’t started since finishing in fifth place in the November 5 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) competition at Keeneland. After a cool winter, Superior returned to the work tab on January 8 in Oaklawn, recorded a half-mile bullet at: 47 3/5. The secret oath was then passed five times lasting on January 16 (1:01 4/5) and January 23 (1:01 2/5).
“Everybody you talk to on their horse always tells you they love the way they train and everything,” Hall of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas said of the Vow of Secrets. “But I’m amazed. I know she’ll be prolific, gain weight and mature. I’m amazed at what she’s done this winter.”
Azeri is a scheduled race in preparation for the Vow of Secrets towards the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 15, a $1 million race at 1 1/16 mile. Her dam, Absinthe has a mind , runner-up in 2012 Apple Blossom for Lukas and Briland Farms. Absinthe Minded also placed fourth in 2012 Azeri.
“We’re going straight into Azeri,” Lukas said. “In fact, we could jump in anytime here in February without blinking.”
Last winter and spring, the Vow of Secrets was the winner of the Martha Washington Stakes and Honeybee Stakes (G3) in Oaklawn before finishing third behind the boys in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
