Secret Oath , the 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner and most recently second in the May 5 La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, is pointed toward the $500,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) on Belmont Stakes Day, June 10, according to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. There at Belmont Park she could be rematched with Clairiere , with whom she traded decisions at Oaklawn Park earlier this year.
Briland Farm’s Secret Oath, a homebred 4-year-old daughter of Arrogate , has a win and two seconds in three starts in 2023. Prior to the La Troienne, she was runner-up to the Steve Asmussen-trained Clairiere in the Apple Blossom Stakes (G1) after defeating her in the Azeri Stakes (G2).
Lukas told New York Racing Association publicity that jockey Tyler Gaffalione “made his move a little too quick,” in the Apple Blossom, and that his charge was “affected” in the La Troienne by having been carried out in the stretch by victorious Played Hard . The two also bumped. Stewards made no change to the order of finish after a rider’s claim of foul.
Nest , last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, breezed May 26 at Belmont but is “probably running out of time for the Phipps,” trainer Todd Pletcher told NYRA publicity. She could alternatively make her first start of 2023 in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) July 1 at Churchill Downs.
The 1 1/8-mile Ogden Phipps is a “Win And You’re In” qualifier for the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
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