Asmussen works five for Oaks; Carina Mia breezes

Edited Press Release

Trainer Steve Asmussen, whose induction into the Hall of Fame was announced Monday, sent his  five Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopefuls out for five-furlongs breezes Monday at Churchill Downs: Terra Promessa (1:02.80), Taxable (1:02.80), Royal Obsession (1:00), Nickname (1:00) and Adore (1:01.40).

"They are five very different fillies," Asmussen said. "Terra Promessa and Taxable are very good company for each other as they had proved so in the [April 9] Fantasy [(G2) at Oaklawn Park]. I thought that they both ran very hard in their last race and did not want much from them. I thought that they handled really well, they were both very relaxed and traveled good, galloped out nice.

"Nickname and Royal Obsession both needed a little more this morning; they're both bigger fillies and they're both very talented. Adore is a very willing workhorse, a very good traveler and always on the bridle in the morning. I think with Songbird (being out) it opens the race to a new favorite so you're just trying to imagine where everyone will be and that's a bit of a guess."

On the outside looking in, Adore sits at No. 20 on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with 20 points.

"I think that we will evaluate her work today with the connections and how we come out of it, and if not allowed to run in the Oaks, we will come up with a plan that is suitable," Asmussen said.

Carina Mia, winner of the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill in November, worked five furlongs in :58.80 in company after the renovation break.

With Penny Gardiner up and working company with Black Eagle, a four-year-old maiden, Carina Mia posted fractions of :11.80, :34.40, :58.80 and out six furlongs in 1:13. The move was the fastest of 34 at the distance.

"She worked very well," trainer Bill Mott said of the breeze that involved going around Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful Lani who was galloping near the rail around the three-eighths pole.

(Terra Promessa and Taxable photo: Coady Photography