Investec Oaks 2017 – Trainer Kenny McPeek hoping to capture the Oaks for America with Daddys Lil Darling
Kentucky-based McPeek is set to run Kentucky Oaks second Daddys Lil Darling at Epsom in next Friday's fillies Classic, a bold move that could well pay off handsomely
AMERICAN trainer Kenny McPeek reckons his Oaks hope Daddys Lil Darling has a big-race squeak – just like his breakfast.
In a bold move McPeek will run his star filly – second in the Kentucky Oaks three weeks ago – in next Friday’s Epsom Classic.
She was due to have her first taste of the unique track at Tuesday’s Breakfast With The Stars gallops but a delayed flight meant the exercise had to be postponed.
Charismatic Kentucky-based McPeek – who hopes to work Daddys Lil Darling under big-race jockey Olivier Peslier tomorrow or Saturday – did make it to the early-morning event.
He said: “I had my first serving of bubbles and squeak – it’s very much like hash browns.”
Daddys Lil Darling has been tucking into American Grade 1s only to come up narrowly short as runner-up in three of them.
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McPeek is determined to win a top-level contest with her – wherever that might be.
He added: “She’s been very unlucky with the draw recently. She drew 11 in the Breeders’ Cup – she was annihilated on the turn but she keeps coming. She doesn’t quit.
“She’s a really strong galloping filly – she’ll go all day long.
“It’s whether she’s good enough to beat the European fillies. She’s been second in three Grade 1s in the US so she’s obviously got quite a bit of talent.
“I’m fortunate that I’ve got my own gallops on my farm so she’s spent a lot of time on grass early in her career. She handles it really well and actually relaxes a lot better.
“There really isn’t an opportunity for her until the Alabama in August so I told her owner if the time is right and the filly’s well, let’s go.”
It’s not the first time McPeek has taken a shot at one of Britain’s biggest races. His Hard Buck was runner-up to Doyen in the 2004 King George when ridden by Gary Stevens.
He also had a hand in nudging fellow American trainer Wesley Ward – winner of seven Royal Ascot races – across the Atlantic.
McPeek said: “Wesley came to me and said ‘should I go?’
“I told him if you’ve got a fast horse and you feel you can be competitive at a high level there’s nothing to be fearful of – so go.
“You all come over to North America and take our money all the time. We really should travel in this direction more.
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“The history of this place is really what attracts me. Back in 2003 I walked this course – I ruined a perfectly good pair of shoes that day. Then we went and walked Ascot – all on a six-hour wait-over at Heathrow.
“I always dreamed of coming back. The better horses I get the more you’ll see me.”
If that’s the case McPeek better start getting used to curious British eating habits.
Next week he’ll be hoping the bubbles in his breakfast are supplied by celebratory champagne – rather than anything that squeaks.