Street Band Puts in Final Work for Apple Blossom

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Trainer Larry Jones’ Street Band worked for the final time on Monday as the Cotillion Stakes (G1) champion prepares for this Saturday’s $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

Street Band covered 5 furlongs in :59.00, the co-fastest of seven to cover the distance. Regular jockey Sophie Doyle is scheduled to travel in for the mount, her 12th straight aboard the 4-year-old daughter of Istan.

“I spoke to Larry on Monday, he said that Street Band had a very nice workout,” Doyle posted on Twitter. “Everything seems to be going in the right direction and all is looking good.”

She and Street Band twice made history together in 2019 when Doyle became the first female jockey to win the Cotillion and the Indiana Derby (G3). They also teamed up to take the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), with Doyle joining Rosie Napravnik as the only two women riders to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep. Napravnik won the Fair Grounds Oaks twice, in 2012 and 2014.

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Following her Cotillion triumph, Street Band concluded 2019 with an eighth-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). A short break from the track ended when she returned in the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3), where she finished third, beaten just 3/4 of a length in a four-way photo finish.

Street Band struggled while making her Oaklawn Park debut in the Azeri Stakes (G2) last time out, finishing fourth after not appearing to enjoy the sloppy (sealed) surface. Her connections are hoping for a much cleaner, faster track on Saturday.

“Fingers crossed, hopefully we’ll make it back to the winner’s circle (in the Apple Blossom),” Doyle said.

Street Band holds a record of 15-5-0-4 with $1,122,595 earned, including 4 wins at the Apple Blossom’s 1 1/16-mile distance. Jones bred her along with his wife, Cindy, and Ray Francis, and the three own her in partnership with Medallion Racing and MyRacehorse.com.