Discreet Ops winning on debut December 2023 at Laurel Park. (Jim McCue/MJC)
Return to Dirt Possible for G3-Placed 3YO Filly
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
LAUREL, Md. – Charles Reed’s Discreet Ops, third in the May 17 Miss Preakness (G3) at historic Pimlico Race Course in her third career start, may be back on dirt when she returns to action following back-to-back off-the-board finishes in turf sprint stakes.
Discreet Ops breezed a half-mile in 49.20 seconds Sunday at Laurel Park for trainer Ben Feliciano Jr., her first work since running a troubled sixth in the Blue Sparkler July 13 at Monmouth Park. Prior to that she was fourth in Laurel’s June 16 Stormy Blues, also going 5 ½ furlongs.
“We just went nice and easy with her today,” Felicano said. “The Monmouth race knocked a little bit out of her. It was kind of hot up there that day and it’s a long trip up there and she came back and got a little tucked up. We just gave her a little bit of time to catch herself up and today I told the rider just to go easy with her.”
By undefeated Grade 1 winner Army Mule, Discreet Ops won her mid-November unveiling last year and began 2024 with a popular 1 ¼-length optional claiming allowance triumph April 13, both at Laurel, setting her up for her stakes debut in the six-furlong Miss Preakness.
She ran well enough in the Stormy Blues that Felicano kept her on grass for the Blue Sparkler instead of Sunday’s Penny Chenery sprinting seven furlongs on the dirt at Colonial Downs. Among the horses in that race were Cap Classique and Carmelina, both of whom finished behind Discreet Ops in the Miss Preakness.
“I was looking for a 3-year-old race and I considered the one at Colonial,” Feliciano said. “We probably should have skipped the Monmouth race and ran the race at Colonial, but she runs either [surface]. The race at Monmouth, as soon as she broke, she kind of clipped heels when horses came together so she had kind of a rough trip.”
Among the upcoming options for Discreet Ops is the $75,000 Shine Again for fillies and mares 3 and up which have never won an open sweepstakes sprinting 6 ½ furlongs Aug. 24 during the Maryland State Fair Meet at Timonium.
“She’s doing good. I was thinking about the race at Timonium. We nominated her and that’s what we’re kind of looking at. It’s at the end of the month and it’s perfect timing. I’m going to probably work her again next Saturday and crank her up a little bit more with an eye on that race,” Feliciano said. “I think she’d be OK at Timonium. It’s not for sure that we’re going there, but right now that’s what we’re aiming for.”
