2013 (CD): Derby/Oaks 'Morning Patrol'
 

Brisk a.m. at CD. 8:30 @KentuckyDerby & Oaks workers shortly: Verrazano, Revolutionary, Nrmndy Invsn, Will Take Charge (1m), Close Hatches.

Times/splits are Mike Welsch's watch (see links below), so I will simply concentrate on visuals of the morning..

NORMANDY INVASION was quick early and slower late. Not a bad breeze overall but imagine Chad Brown would have preferred to flip the elements and have him slower early and faster late. Some yutz on facebook and/or twitter started a rumor when the colt was photographed upon arrival at Churchill that he had lost 'a ton of weight' out of the Wood. A naturally lean, trim horse, he looked 100% fine upon viewing today as evidenced by photo below.

Mike Welsch ‏@DRFWelsch: Normandy Invasion off fast, :11.57 :23.06 opening 1/4, completed 1/2 in :48.22 out 5/8's 1:01.41 up 1:15.41.

VERRAZANO, who only raced 13 days ago, had a mundane drill with Authenticity, not being asked and not really attacking the work either. He remains the same striking looking colt I saw in Florida in January. Gary Stevens was aboard..

Mike Welsch ‏@DRFWelsch Verrazano 5f.:59.95 in co. G3 placed Authenticity, broke off 1-1/2 lengths back, fin. neck in front, out 1:13.13 up 1:26.64. Mate held tuff.


REVOLUTIONARY worked a nice half with Calvin, finish the second quarter very nicely (:23+) and galloping out away from his workmate without being asked..

Mike Welsch ‏@DRFWelsch Revolutionary, Borel up, 4f. :48.73 scrapping rail, finished under a hold, appeared to switch leads nearing wire, out 1:01.36 up 1:15.13.

Given his time off since the Rebel, WILL TAKE CHARGE had what had to be a fairly necessary 1m work and I only saw the early and late portions as well as the gallop out. Here are the eighths and quarters:

13.3
12.2 (26.0)
12.3
12.2 (25.0)
12.4
13.0 (25.4)
12.3
12.1 (24.4)

1:41.3

Seemed to be all on his own..

Should toss in that I saw CHARMING KITTEN for the first time and he looks and moves completely like a turf horse with that prancey, high knee action.. PALACE MALICE was out as well and looks no worse for wear for having wheeled back in the Blue Grass of the Louisiana Derby fiasco..

It was Don Chatlos. I saw the picture and he did look skinny, but its impossible to know how he normally carries his weight to compare.

Did you get a look at Mylute by chance?

CLOSE HATCHES had the most spirited looking drill of the 8:30 special session going a very sharp half under a hold by the exercise girl. Nice.. MIDNIGHT LUCKY went twice around two minute licking and just at a passing glance, looks physically more sprint than route to me..

Mike Welsch ‏@DRFWelsch Close Hatches :23.56 went 1/2 in :47.78 out 5/8's 1:01.38 up 1:15.84 for Oaks.

Did not unfortunately.. Went at 6a and was quite strong according to Welsch. Considering that last week's drill was his 'Derby work', clockers that saw both were impressed that MY LUTE was as aggressive as he was today given his reputation for indifference when working solo..

Mike Welsch ‏@DRFWelsch Mylute 12.48 24.57 1/2 in 47.80 going ez last 1/4 23.23 finished well but out average 101.86 with Rosie up.

Mike also noted that OXBOW was out for his gallop early and had to be dissuaded from doing more..

Surprised that Chatlos would say anything with him not knowing the horse at all. Normandy Invasion is a narrow type in the Real Quiet mode. Cherie says he's always been lean and trim.

4/21 WORKOUT VIDEOS

VERRAZANO: http://t.co/olAgeFo9KT

REVOLUTIONARY: http://t.co/d0FIEaeLmw

NORMANDY INVASION: http://t.co/ODHUpekOah

CLOSE HATCHES: http://t.co/YBXP8h53Mf

WILL TAKE CHARGE (Stretch): http://t.co/MS3A9SEzdG

More to come..

Churchill Downs PR (Darren Rogers) ‏@DerbyMedia Complete rundown of today's #KyDerby & #KyOaks news and notes @ChurchillDowns: http://bit.ly/11syFa4

Midnight Lucky --

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOVmhkWMEP4

No doubt, baby got back!

Crinkle



trash can for me


Frac Daddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMIEc9oGzj4

4/20:

Dreaming of Julia.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGoaZt8PuN8

tankx for linx
 

that move by Revolutionary was sharp. He just moves nicely barely touching the track

My uncles a 10x bigger mush than me and he decleared today that he loves this horse. Here's a few texts from him.

The rev can show. Speed if he. Wnts. Wants. A lot off these horses will struggle at a mile and quarter rev stays healthy got a huge shot !!!!

Told you as soon as we get too simulcast that day putting 1 hundred across on the rev

The chemistry you two have is electric. I'd like to see a show with you two and I can't imagine I'm alone.

Be at racino Oaks day and reservations Saturday at the racino at Fortunes. Feel free to join us either day.

bert and ernie

I meant you and Alabama Stakes. Maybe hit Capital back up and pitch them the idea.

I'd rather throw myself in front of a bus than spend a minute in public with you, but thanks.