Wells Bayou Staying Sharp

[Wandering Eyes]

Clint and Lance Gasaway, Madaket Stables and Wonder Stables’ Wells Bayou (Lookin at Lucky), most recently winner of the GII Louisiana Derby, continued training towards a potential start in the May 2 GI Arkansas Derby with a five-furlong work in 1:00.40 (9/17) at Oaklawn Park Sunday.

Wells Bayou, on the outside during his drill with maiden stablemate Wild Union (Bayern), was credited with splits of :24.40 for his opening quarter-mile, :36.80 for three furlongs, :48.40 for a half-mile and galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.40 and seven furlongs in 1:26.40.

“We were looking for a good work today–if we decide to run,” trainer Brad Cox told the Oaklawn media team Sunday morning. “It was one of those things where we were just kind of looking to see how he would respond and he worked really well. Pleased with him.”

Of his charge’s status for the Arkansas Derby, which attracted 99 nominations, Cox said, “I would label him a candidate right now.”

Also working Sunday from the Cox barn was Warrior’s Charge (Munnings), expected to go next in the May 2 GII Oaklawn H. The 4-year-old, most recently winner of the Feb. 17 GIII Razorback H., went four furlongs in :47 flat (2/53).

“He’s doing what we like to see leading up to this race,” Cox said of the work. “Very similar to how he led up to the Razorback. It looks like it’s going to be a really solid race. He’s a solid horse, so we’ll see what happens.”

In other Oaklawn news, Ce Ce (Elusive Quality), winner of Saturday’s GI Apple Blossom H., was scheduled to leave the Arkansas track Sunday afternoon to return to trainer Mike McCarthy’s Southern California base.

Of where the 4-year-old filly might start next, McCarthy said, “We’ll have to see what happens here. Obviously, it would be nice to go ahead and circle the Breeders’ Cup. Hopefully, everything gets back to the new normal again.”

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