KATHMANBLU TUNES UP FOR SWEETEST CHANT

The 3-year-old filly Kathmanblu will switch to turf for her first start of 2011 in the Sweetest Chant on Jan. 22. Kathmanblu, considered among the leading 3-year-old filly prospects this season, worked five furlongs here at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, covering the distance in 100.80 in company with stablemate Hyperlink, breaking off a length behind and finishing on even terms before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.80. Jockey Julien Leparoux, Kathmanblu’s regular rider, was up for the drill.

Kathmanblu closed out her 2-year-old campaign with an easy victory in the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. She had finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, beaten two lengths by More Than Real despite an unlucky trip, three weeks earlier.

Trainer Ken McPeek said he plans to kick off Kathmanblu’s 3-year-old campaign on the grass in the Sweetest Chant Stakes here on Jan. 22.

“I’ll keep her on the turf for now but she’s still my Oaks filly,” said McPeek. “I thought about bringing her back at the Fair Grounds in the Silverbulletday but the timing wasn’t good in regards to the shipping.”