The racing world is abuzz with anticipation as trainer Tom Amoss strategically plans his next moves for two of his promising 3-year-old fillies. One filly, Quickick, will make her debut in the Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park next Saturday, while Aledean will compete in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2). Both races offer valuable points toward the Kentucky Oaks qualification. Quickick, who placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, has been preparing diligently and recently completed a strong workout. Meanwhile, Aledean, who showed remarkable improvement by winning an optional-claiming allowance race, takes on a significant challenge in the graded stakes event.

Preparing for the Honeybee: Quickick's Strategic Debut

Trainer Tom Amoss has chosen to delay Quickick's return by one week, opting for the Honeybee Stakes over the Rachel Alexandra Stakes. This decision allows for additional preparation time and aims to optimize her performance. The Honeybee, like the Rachel Alexandra, offers crucial qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks. Quickick's recent workouts have shown promise, indicating she is ready for this important step in her career. Despite the short delay, Amoss believes this plan sets Quickick up for long-term success.

Quickick's journey to the Honeybee has been marked by steady progress. After finishing third in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she returned to training with renewed vigor. Her most recent workout, covering five furlongs in just over a minute, demonstrated her readiness. By choosing the Honeybee, Amoss ensures that Quickick can build momentum gradually. The Honeybee serves as an ideal platform for her to showcase her abilities and accumulate necessary points for future opportunities. This strategic move reflects Amoss's commitment to nurturing his horses' potential while maintaining a competitive edge.

Aledean's Leap into Graded Stakes: A Bold Move

Aledean, another promising filly under Amoss's guidance, will take on the challenge of the Rachel Alexandra Stakes. This race represents a significant leap from her previous performances, including a maiden win and a victory in an optional-claiming allowance race. Although it is a bold move, Amoss sees this as an opportunity for Aledean to prove her mettle in higher-level competition. The smaller field size provides a manageable environment for her to shine.

Aledean's rise has been nothing short of impressive. After breaking her maiden in October, she continued to show improvement, culminating in a remarkable win against more seasoned competitors in January. Her ability to overcome odds and finish ahead of favored opponents demonstrates her potential. Entering the Rachel Alexandra, Aledean faces a formidable challenge but also an invaluable learning experience. Amoss's decision to separate Quickick and Aledean in these races highlights his strategic thinking, ensuring each horse can perform at their best without direct competition. This approach underscores the trainer's dedication to maximizing the potential of each filly in their respective paths toward the Kentucky Oaks.