Pashmina Takes Shot at Kentucky Oaks

Red White and Blue Racing's Pashmina was second in Aqueduct Racetrack's $200,000 Gazelle Stakes (G3) April 4 and will now take a shot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs May 1. Trained by Rob Atras, the sophomore daughter of Constitution breezed a solo half-mile in :47.97 over the Belmont Park dirt training track April 17. It was her first breeze back since her pacesetting 1 1/4-length defeat to Always a Runner in the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle. "She worked really good on Friday," Atras said. "The track was a little quick, the clocker said. I didn't think she was moving that fast, but they got her in 47 and four. I was impressed with the way she did it. Her energy and everything is good; she came out of it well. As of right now, we're planning to leave for Churchill on Tuesday." The bay filly was previously third and fourth in the Untapable and Silverbulletday Stakes, respectively, going 1-mile and 70 yards at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, ahead of a third to Bottle of Rouge Feb. 15 in the one-mile Sunland Park Oaks. "The Gazelle was kind of the race we've been looking for from her," Atras said. "We always thought she was a nice filly. She had some troubled trips, so we were looking for this type of effort. We were thrilled. Obviously, it is tough to get beat, but I believe the winner is a legit Oaks contender. That at least puts us in the mix. If everything goes well from here to Oaks day, we are planning on running."