Mickaelle Michel and the ‘Coach’ take Secret Oath out for a gallop at Oaklawn Park. (Coady Photography)
Oaklawn Barn Notes by Robert Yates
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.— French jockey and world traveler Mickaelle Michel entered Friday with three victories at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting. But more noteworthy, Michel is the regular breeze rider of millionaire Grade 1 winner Secret Oath, the 4-5 program favorite for Saturday’s $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
“I’ve ridden many good horses, but she’s very special because she has a perfect mind,” Michel said Wednesday morning. “She’s never stressful, never excited too much. She just enjoys her work and does what she does. She’s special. She has a special mind.”
Michel, 27, began breezing Secret Oath last fall in advance of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland and their partnership continued this winter and spring at Oaklawn. Secret Oath, a millionaire Grade 1 winner for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, completed major preparations for the Apple Blossom by working 5 furlongs in 1:00 April 7. The target time requested by Lukas? One minute, Michel said.
“She does an amazing job,” Lukas said Tuesday morning. “I would love to keep her doing this because she really does an amazing job. She’s got a great feel for this filly, but she can take the others in the barn and work them right within a fifth (of a second) or so, too. She gets along with her (Secret Oath) well, but that’s what this filly likes. She likes that feminine touch. She doesn’t want to be roughed up.”
After finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Secret Oath launched her 4-year-old campaign with a sparkling victory in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 11 at Oaklawn. The 1 1/16-mile Azeri was the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom. The April 7 work was Secret Oath’s third since the Azeri and her 11th this year at Oaklawn. She returned to the work tab with a half-mile bullet (:47.60) Jan. 8.
“I just try my best to do a small part of the job that Wayne Lukas asks me to do,” Michel said. “It’s an important part of the job. It looks like she could win the race (Apple Blossom), so it’s exciting.”
A champion apprentice in France, Michel said she’s ridden in 12 countries, won races in eight and stakes in four, including a Group 2 event in Italy. Michel began riding in the United States last May at Churchill Downs and entered Friday with eight career victories in America. She has ridden extensively for Lukas at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting that began Dec. 9.
“This is a really nice place,” Michel said. “The track is nice.”
Michel will be among the special guests for Saturday’s “Dawn at Oaklawn” Ladies Day edition. Oaklawn handicapper/paddock analyst Nancy Holthus will interview Michel and jockeys Kelsi Harr, Chel-c Bailey and Kylee Jordan at 8 a.m. (Central) on the south grandstand apron. The free program includes barn tours at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
FINISH LINES
Millionaire multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Rated R Superstar worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 Friday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Martin Villafranco. The track was fast. Owner Danny Caldwell said in a text message following the work that Rated R Superstar is under consideration for the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles April 22. “It’s a possibility,” Caldwell said. “Depends on field size.” …
Klassy Bridgette, the first three-time winner at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting, worked a half-mile in :51.40 Friday for trainer Chris Hartman. Klassy Bridgette won the $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters Feb. 11 at Oaklawn. …
Market Analysis, eighth in last year’s $400,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) for older horses, moved closer to his 2023 debut by working 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 Friday for trainer Robertino Diodoro. Cristian Torres, Oaklawn’s leading rider this season, was aboard. …
Kaboom Baby, a powerful allowance winner sprinting against Arkansas-breds March 31 at Oaklawn, is being pointed to the $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ Stakes May 4 at Oaklawn, trainer Ernie Witt II said. The 1-mile Natural State Breeders’ is for state-bred females, 3 and up, at 1 mile. Kaboom Baby worked a half-mile in :50 Friday. …
“Oaklawn Raceday,” featuring David Longinotti, director of Oaklawn Anywhere, and Equibase representative Jeff Taylor, can be heard Saturdays 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (Central) during the 2022-2023 meeting on Little Rock, Ark., radio station KABZ-FM 103.7 and www.1037thebuzz.com. This week’s special guest is Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
