Aunt Pearl notched her first breeze since winning the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) last fall at Keeneland by covering three furlongs in :36 4/5 March 6 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The 3-year-old daughter of Lope De Vega was given a scheduled break over the winter at Paul Sharp Stables in Williston, Fla., before she rejoined trainer Brad Cox at Fair Grounds last month. This followed a 3-for-3 campaign at 2 in which she also captured the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland and a maiden race at Churchill Downs for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Peter Deutsch, Michael Kisber, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.
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"We thought she deserved and had earned a break after her 2-year-old season," said bloodstock agent Liz Crow, an advisor to the filly's owners. "I was just so pleased with the way she looked when she left. She has really grown and filled out and put weight on. You always want to see them change anytime they are going from 2 to 3, or 3 to 4. She looks bigger and stronger. Paul did a great job with her."
Crow said Cox told her she is potentially on target to return in the April 30 Edgewood Stakes (G2T), a $300,000 1 1/16-mile turf race, on the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard at Churchill Downs. A follow-up start in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot in June remains under consideration.
"We'd really like to go, and most importantly our trainer is on board with that idea as long as she stays sound and runs well in the Edgewood," Crow said.
