Bluegrass Cat’s Kathmanblu has been favored in her last four starts, and could be once again when post time comes Friday for the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old bay filly drew post 4 for the historic race, which will be run for the 137th time.
Kathmanblu has won three of her last four starts, including the Rachel Alexandra (G3) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19 and the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Nov. 27. Her only loss came when she finished third on Keeneland’s Polytrack in the Ashland (G1) last month. Her overall record stands at 5-1-2 in nine starts; she’s earned $510,731, tops among the 13-horse Oaks field.
Working on her own last Saturday, Kathmanblu clicked off fractions of :12.20, :24.40, :36.80, :49 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.20 in her final pre-Oaks workout. “It was a nice and steady work,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “I got her last quarter in :24, which is all we wanted.”
Even though rain has pelted Churchill for the last two weeks, McPeek isn’t worried about the conditions. “She’s really been floating around the track,” McPeek said earlier this week.
Kathmanblu is owned by the Dobozi family’s Five-D Thoroughbreds, also her breeder, and Evan Trommer’s Wind River Stables.
Kathmanblu is a daughter of multiple stakes winner Abba Gold, who is a half-sister to the Grade 1 filly Friendly Michelle, also the winner of the La Troienne (G3) at Churchill Downs.
