DERBY DIGEST: Last major works completed ahead of Monday draw

[Kasept]

ZOZOS WORKS FIVE FURLONGS IN 1:00.60 AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

Oaks Fillies Secret Oath, Hidden Connection, Turnerloose Breeze for First Friday in May

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, April 15, 2022) – It was an action-filled Friday morning at Churchill Downs where TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) runner-up Zozos continued his preparation toward the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) with a five-furlong move in 1:00.60.

The trio of Hidden Connection (five furlongs, 1:00), Secret Oath (five furlongs, :59.20) and Turnerloose (five furlongs, 1:00.80), who are bound for the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), also topped the Friday morning worktab.

Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos, the lightly-raced son of Munnings, worked in company at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) with Dawn and Ike Thrash’s $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (GII) winner Turnerloose. With jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle, Zozos started about one length behind his stablemate and worked through early fractions of :24 and :48.40. The duo began their five-furlong move at the half-mile pole and Zozos finished even with Turnerloose at the seven-furlong marker. Zozos galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.60.

“He’s a really smart horse,” Geroux said. “He’s starting to come into his own and it was a really nice work this morning. I settled back of (Turnerloose) and he finished up nicely with her. Both horses worked well.”

Shortly after Zozos and Turnerloose worked, Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ $400,000 TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) runner-up Hidden Connection clipped five furlongs in 1:00 under jockey Reylu Gutierrez. The Connect filly galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.60.

Gutierrez summed up the work in one word, “Awesome.”

At 7:30 a.m., Briland Farm’s $300,000 Honeybee (GIII) winner Secret Oath cruised five furlongs in :59.20 under jockey Luis Saez. The classy four-time winner began her work through opening eighth-mile fractions of :12.40, :23.60 and :35.20. She galloped out six furlongs in 1:12. Saez was named to ride the Arrogate filly in the Kentucky Oaks. In her last start, Secret Oath tested colts in the Arkansas Derby but flattened late to finish third behind Cyberknife and Barber Road.

“I talked to (jockey) Luis (Contreras) after the race and he was sort of surprised with how much of an explosive kick she had at the three-eighths pole,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “With that explosive kick at that point in the race it was a little too much too soon. She got shuffled back at the start and got into contention but it was too much to ask. … We ran in the Arkansas Derby for a million-and-a-quarter and I thought we were the best horse going into the race and I still think we were the best.”

Other Kentucky Derby contenders that are based at Churchill Downs are the aforementioned Cyberknife, who is slated to work Saturday; UAE Derby winner Crown Pride; Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter; Gotham winner Morello; Blue Grass (GI) runner-up Smile Happy; Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up and Lexington Stakes contender Tawny Port; and Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Tiz the Bomb.

The next Derby contender scheduled to arrive is Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road, who ships from Hot Springs, Ark. Friday at 2 p.m. and should arrive between 3-4 a.m. Saturday to Barn 46.

Training hours at Churchill Downs remain 5:30-10 a.m. with half-hour renovation breaks from 7-7:30 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. There is a 10-minute period for workers only from 7:30-7:40 a.m.

The 15-minute training window reserved for only Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders will begin Saturday, April 23.

[Kasept]

CROWN PRIDE, CYBERKNIFE, TIZ THE BOMB BREEZE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, April 16, 2022) – With three weeks remaining until the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), the trio of Crown Pride (JPN) (six furlongs, 1:18.60), Cyberknife (five furlongs, 1:00) and Tiz the Bomb (four furlongs, :48.40) worked toward their next start in the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 7.

Gold Square’s $1.25 million Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife worked at 9 a.m. (all times Eastern) outside of multiple stakes-placed stablemate Tommy Bee. Cyberknife started two lengths behind Tommy Bee and completed fractions of :12.20, :23.80 and :47.20. Cyberknife finished even with Tommy Bee around the seven eighths pole and easily galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.40.

“I thought he looked great,” said trainer Brad Cox, who watched the breeze from the Millionaires Row balcony. “He’s done well at Churchill in the past and really likes it here.”

About 90 minutes earlier, Magdalena Lessee’s Tiz the Bomb, who won the $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) last month, worked with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the irons. The duo clipped an opening quarter-mile in :24.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.20.

Moments later, exercise rider Masa Matsuda breezed Teruya Yoshida’s $1 million UAE Derby (GII) winner Crown Pride (JPN) six furlongs from the half-mile pole. The duo easily completed opening fractions of :14.60, :28.20, :54 and 1:06.20. Crown Pride (JPN) steadily picked up his work around the turn and onto the backside before completing his move through seven furlongs in 1:32.40.

Churchill Downs received about 0.2 inches of rain overnight, according to the National Weather Service. The track was sealed for the first two hours of training but dried out by the 7:30 a.m. track renovation break and was harrowed. It was labeled as “good” for the final 2 ½ hours of training.

In other Kentucky Derby news, Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road arrived at Churchill Downs early Saturday morning and is stabled in Barn 46 with trainer John Ortiz. He’s scheduled to work twice prior to the Kentucky Derby.

Florida Derby (GI) runner-up Charge It was scheduled to ship from his South Florida base to Churchill Downs on Saturday. He and the rest of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s contingent will be based in Barn 35. Pletcher is planning to keep a full-time barn at Churchill Downs throughout the spring and summer.

Likely Kentucky Derby favorite Epicenter is scheduled to breeze early Sunday at Churchill Downs.

[Kasept]

LIKELY DERBY, OAKS FAVORITES BREEZE EASTER MORNING

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, April 17, 2022) – On a crisp Easter morning in Louisville, Epicenter and Echo Zulu, the likely favorites for this year’s $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), respectively, continued their preparation for the first weekend in May.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Epicenter worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at 6 a.m. (all times Eastern) inside of three-time winning 6-year-old Gun It. About 20 minutes prior to Epicenter’s move, L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ undefeated champion filly Echo Zulu cruised five furlongs in 1:00 outside of 3-year-old maiden colt King Ottoman.

“Sundays are a big work day for us,” Asmussen said, who drove about eight hours overnight from Hot Springs, Ark. to Louisville. “We got to work Epicenter and Echo Zulu this morning. It was an exciting morning. The racetrack is in excellent condition.”

Asmussen’s exercise rider Wilson Fabian was aboard both Epicenter and Echo Zulu for their respective works while veteran jockey Eddie Martin Jr., who’s won 4,084 career races, breezed their company. Epicenter clipped through opening fractions of :12.60, :24.20 and 36. Fabian and Epicenter continued to gallop out strongly around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:13.60 and completed seven furlongs in 1:27. Epicenter finished his move with a one-mile clocking of 1:44.

Echo Zulu, the $400,000 TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) heroine, began her work in similar fractions to her stablemate and clipped off eighth-mile fractions of :13.20, :24.60 and :36.20. She and King Ottoman galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20 and seven furlongs in 1:28.20.

“Both horses are training extremely well. It’s obviously exciting going into the Oaks and the Derby to have two horses of this caliber doing so well,” Asmussen said. “It’s been standard (to work both of these horses in company) and the company they worked with is who they’ve been with in New Orleans. We’re trying to create more of the same success they had there.

“With Epicenter the spacing of his races since December has been very effective for him. We’re just trying to put the building blocks and space for him to handle the mile-and-a-quarter in the Derby here. I couldn’t feel any better with how he’s doing here and how he loves Churchill Downs.”

Echo Zulu has been on a slightly different schedule this year than Epicenter. The winner of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) made her 3-year-old debut in the Fair Grounds Oaks.

“Her coming off the bench in quite a layoff and a determined victory, I was anxious to get her here,” Asmussen said. “She actually had not trained at Churchill. She went from Keeneland straight to Saratoga, then won at Belmont and went to California. She has taken to the racetrack in both of her works very impressively.”

With less than three weeks remaining to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, several contenders continue to make their arrivals at Churchill Downs. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s Derby duo of Charge It and Mo Donegal are expected to arrive Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, Oaks contender Venti Valentine arrived to Churchill Downs from Belmont Park and is stabled in Barn 25.

Saturday is the first day of the 15-minute exclusive training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders from 7:30-7:45 a.m.

[Kasept]

PLETCHER DERBY, OAKS CONTENDERS WORK FRIDAY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, April 22, 2022) – Derby season is here and Churchill Downs was bustling with excitement Friday morning as 10 Derby and Oaks contenders logged their penultimate work prior to the first weekend in May. Half of those workers were from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn – Oaks contenders Goddess of Fire (five furlongs, 1:00.80); Nest (four furlongs, :49.80); and Shahama (five furlongs, 1:00.80) and Derby contenders Charge It (five furlongs, 1:00.40) and Mo Donegal (four furlongs, :50.20).

Other Derby and Oaks contenders that worked Friday were Barber Road (six furlongs, 1:16.40); Beguine (five furlongs, 1:01); Cocktail Moments (five furlongs, 1:01.20); Turnerloose (five furlongs, 1:01.20) and Zozos (six furlongs, 1:12.40).

The Pletcher squad began their works at 6 a.m. (all times Eastern) with the trio of Oaks breezes. Red Oak Stable’s Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) runner-up Goddess of Fire worked on the inside of KHK Racing’s UAE Oaks (GIII) winner Shahama through fractions of :13.20, :25.60 and :37.40. The duo galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20 and completed seven furlongs in 1:26. Their stablemate, Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s recent Ashland (GI) heroine Nest, worked an easy half-mile outside of Inventing through eighth-mile clockings of :13.20, :25.40 and :37.80. They galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.60.

“Nest went a nice half in about :50 and galloped out nicely,” Pletcher said. “We were looking for a little bit more from Goddess of Fire and Shahama. Goddess of Fire hasn’t run since the Fair Grounds Oaks and Shahama hasn’t run since the UAE Oaks. So, we were looking for a little bit of a stronger work from them. They galloped out well and I was pleased with how they went.”

About 90 minutes later, Pletcher’s Derby duo of Whisper Hill Farm’s Florida Derby (GI) runner-up Charge It and Donegal Racing’s Wood Memorial (GII) winner Mo Donegal worked in separate sets. Charge It was the first of the two to work and went in company outside Cezanne through fractions of :12, :25.40, :37.60. They galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80 and seven furlongs in 1:25. Charge It completed his move with a one-mile time of 1:38.60. Mo Donegal breezed outside of My Prankster through composed early fractions of :13 and :26.20. They galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20.

“With Charge It, we were looking for a good, solid breeze,” Pletcher said. “He went a minute and four-fifths with a super big gallop out. We were really happy with that. With Mo Donegal, with the Wood just 13 days ago, we were just looking for an easy half in :50. He had a nice gallop out as well. All the horses got over the track well. The track still had a little moisture in it from yesterday but they all handled it well.”

Jockey Irad Oritz Jr. was at Churchill Downs to work both Nest and Mo Donegal on Friday for Pletcher.

“Nest is improving race by race,” Ortiz said. “We really loved her since Day 1. Hopefully, we can get lucky that day. Mo Donegal is a really good horse. He is nice and quiet. He does everything we ask him to do. It looks like he should like the distance. It shouldn’t be a problem with him. With a mile-and-a-quarter for 3-year-olds, he’s the type of style you want for that day.”

Pletcher’s third Derby contender, Pioneer of Medina, galloped at 8:15 a.m.

At 7:30 a.m., WSS Racing’s Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Barber Road worked solo with jockey Reylu Gutierrez in the saddle. The son of Race Day easily galloped through opening splits of :13.60, :26.60, :39.60 and :51.80. He completed his seven-furlong gallop out in 1:29.

Shortly before Barber Road worked, Barry and Joni Butzow’s TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up Zozos breezed with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle outside of stablemate Fulsome through swift quarter-mile times of :24 and :48.40. The duo galloped out around the clubhouse through seven furlongs in 1:25.20.

“It was another really strong move,” trainer Brad Cox said. “He galloped out really well around the turn and is really doing well over this track. He’s a quick horse as he showed in the Louisiana Derby but he settles into his works nicely.”

Twenty minutes following Zozo’s move, Cox also worked Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Rachel Alexandra (GII) winner Turnerloose five furlongs in 1:01.20 inside of Grade I-winner Juju’s Map.

Saturday is expected to be another busy morning at Churchill Downs. Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Cyberknife is slated to work at 5:15 a.m. Other known Derby and Oaks workers include Smile Happy, Tiz the Bomb and Un Ojo.

Friday at 6 p.m., “Inside Churchill Downs” will cover the Friday morning works along with give fans an update on the latest Derby and Oaks news and notes. Fans can listen live on ESPN 680/105.7 in the Louisville area or online at www.espnlouisville.com.

Saturday is the first morning for the exclusive Oaks/Derby training window from 7:30-7:45 a.m. Fans can watch the livestream on the Kentucky Derby’s social media channels.

[Kasept]

CYBERKNIFE, SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB, UN OJO WORK

LOUISVILLE, KY (Saturday, April 23, 2022) – Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders kicked it into high gear Saturday morning with several horses around the country logging their most serious workouts prior to the first weekend in May. At Churchill Downs, Derby contenders Cyberknife (six furlongs, 1:12.20), Smile Happy (five furlongs, 1:00.40), Tiz the Bomb (five furlongs 1:00.20) and Un Ojo (:59.40) all breezed for the “Run for the Roses.” At Keeneland, Blue Grass (GI) winner Zandon worked a half-mile in :48.60 before he ships to Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Gold Square’s Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife breezed at 5:15 a.m. (all times Eastern) with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle. The son of Gun Runner worked on the outside of stablemate Koolhous. Cyberknife started two lengths back at the five-furlong marker and finished two lengths in front at the wire. Cyberknife continued his strong move around the far turn and completed seven furlongs in 1:24.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“It was a really strong move and he’s a really good work horse,” Geroux said. “He continues to improve as time goes on and he showed that winning the Arkansas Derby. Even going back to his allowance win before the Arkansas Derby he showed a new level of class.”

During the 7:30-7:45 a.m. training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Lucky Seven Stable’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) runner-up Smile Happy and Magdalena Racing Lessee’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) winner Tiz the Bomb breezed in company. Smile Happy and jockey Corey Lanerie began the work about one length in front of Brian Hernandez Jr. and Tiz the Bomb. Hernandez and Tiz the Bomb moved to the outside of Smile Happy and finished in tandem at the wire.

“We were just looking for an easy move today and we got that,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “We’ll probably do the same thing again next week.”

Cypress Creek Equine’s Un Ojo arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday with trainer Ricky Courville’s son, Clay, in tow. Clay breezed Un Ojo through opening eighth-mile splits of :11.60, :23, :35 and :47.60. Un Ojo galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.20.

“It’s amazing being here at Churchill Downs,” Clay said. “I’ve been here before but nothing like this. (Un Ojo) is getting over the track really well.”

At Keeneland, Jeff Drown’s Zandon completed eighth-mile fractions of :12.80, :25.20 and :37. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80, six furlongs in 1:13.80 and seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27.60. Trainer Chad Brown reported Zandon will ship to Churchill Downs on Sunday and be stabled in Barn 25.

Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) contenders Hidden Connection (five furlongs, 1:00.60), Nostalgic (four furlongs, :48.80) and Venti Valentine (four furlongs, :47.20) all worked Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Sunday morning, likely Kentucky Derby and Oaks favorites Epicenter and Echo Zulu are both scheduled to work for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

[Kasept]

TOP CONTENDERS EPICENTER, ECHO ZULU TUNE; PIONEER OF MEDINA AS MORELLO BOWS OUT

UAE Derby Winner Crown Pride Works Four Furlongs in :49.20 for ‘Run for the Roses’

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, April 24, 2022) – With less than two weeks remaining until the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks, top contenders Epicenter (six furlongs, 1:12.20) and Echo Zulu (six furlongs, 1:11.80) had their most serious workouts prior to the first weekend in May.

Along with Derby contender Epicenter, Teruya Yoshida’s UAE Derby (GII) winner Crown Pride (JPN) had another tune-up for the “Run for the Roses” and breezed a half-mile in :49.20.

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ undefeated filly Echo Zulu was the first of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s duo to work. The daughter of Gun Runner breezed with exercise rider Wilson Fabian in the saddle. The duo broke to the inside of regular workmate King Ottoman, who was ridden by former jockey Eddie Martin Jr. Echo Zulu worked through eighth-mile fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.60 and :47.40. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

In Asmussen’s next set of horses, Epicenter, with Fabian in the irons, worked to the outside of Gun It and Martin through splits of :13, :24.40, :35.80 and :47.20. Epicenter galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.20 and was up one-mile in 1:41.

“We’re so happy the weather has cooperated on our scheduled work days. The racetrack is in great shape this morning,” Asmussen said after he arrived in Louisville following an eight-hour overnight drive from Oaklawn Park. “These were the most significant works for us. We’re following a pattern that we’re very comfortable with. I love the rhythm these horses are in. Both of these horses have kept their same workmates from New Orleans this winter. I’m unbelievably appreciative of the job Wilson and Eddie have done helping get them to this point.

“They’ve both started out as tremendous prospects and individuals. We’re aiming with incremental improvement to not take too big of a leap forward. So everything is a building block to success. Since they have arrived here at Churchill that trend has continued. I was so excited with Echo Zulu’s first work here.”

Epicenter and Echo Zulu completed the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) and $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) double in late March.

Asmussen, who is North America’s all-time leading trainer in wins, has made 23 starts in the Kentucky Derby but has failed to win the 1 ¼-mile event. His trainees have finished second and third, twice each, in the Kentucky Derby. His last starter to hit the board was Lookin At Lee, who finished second in 2017. Asmussen also finished third in 2016 with Gun Runner, second in 2011 with Nehro and third in 2007 with Curlin.

“I literally know what it feels like to win the Derby,” Asmussen said of Nehro. “I didn’t see Animal Kingdom coming down the center of the track that day. With Lookin At Lee, when Corey (Lanerie) cut the corner with him and the acceleration he showed going by tired horses, it just looked like he was going fast enough to win the Derby. Always Dreaming had enough to hold him off. The visuals of those moments were goosebump exciting. I’ve got 23 different feelings on the Derby but very vividly remember Nehro and Lookin At Lee.

“For Curlin’s Derby, I never thought that he’d get beat. The walkover for his Derby felt like it took three strides but the walk back felt like it was the Sahara Desert. He went to the Test Barn after the race with Zanjero (who finished 12th) and Zanejro was blowing hard. Curlin came out of the test barn and was his strong, usual self. He had enough ability but wasn’t meant to be.”

Epicenter and Echo Zulu are likely to head back to the track Tuesday.

At 7:30 a.m., Crown Pride (JPN) worked a half-mile from the three-furlong pole through consistent fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :37.20. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.40. Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on May 1 and will be in attendance at the post position draw Monday, May 2.

In other Derby-related news, Asmussen removed Gotham (GIII) winner Morello from Derby consideration because the colt has a foot issue. Also, Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass (GI) winner Zandon arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. He is stabled with several other stablemates in Barn 25.

Florida Derby (GI) winner White Abarrio is slated to have his final training in Florida through Sunday, May 1 and arrive in Saffie Joseph’s Barn 10 by Monday, May 2. Simplification, who finished third to White Abarrio in the Florida Derby, is scheduled to arrive one day prior for trainer Antonio Sano.

[Kasept]

[Kasept]

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY MOVES BACK INTO DERBY PICTURE


LOUISVILLE, KY (Tuesday, April 26, 2022) – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Sam F. Davis (Grade III) and Tampa Bay Derby (GII) winner Classic Causeway will once again target this year’s $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI).

Classic Causeway, trained by Brian Lynch, will attempt to avenge his enigmatic 11th-place effort in last month’s Florida Derby (GI) in the Kentucky Derby. The Giant’s Causeway colt was scheduled to run in the $500,000 Pat Day Mile (GII) but Lynch reported Monday Classic Causeway will once again join the Derby fray.

In other Derby news, Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) is scheduled to work Wednesday morning as is RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike. Rich Strike is No. 24 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.



BARBER ROAD – WSS Racing’s Barber Road had an easy gallop Tuesday morning for trainer John Ortiz.

Barber Road, the runner-up to Cyberknife in the Arkansas Derby (GI), would be the first starter in the Kentucky Derby for Ortiz.

“This is a dream come true to even be here and participating in the Derby,” Ortiz said.



CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Trainer Brian Lynch reported Monday afternoon that three-time winner Classic Causeway will now target the Kentucky Derby instead of the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG and E & KU (GII).

“My owners have about 160 years, combined, and who am I to hold them back on running in the Derby,” Lynch said Tuesday morning. “You go back to his races at Tampa and he fits right in with this field. I think he can have an advantage on the pace.”

Classic Causeway galloped about 1 ½ miles around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday with Lynch’s exercise rider Calamity Compton in the saddle.

Julien Leparoux has the mount in the Derby.



CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – Donegal Racing’s Mo Donegal and Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It galloped 1 3/8 miles during the special 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls.

Amelia Green was aboard Mo Donegal and Hector Ramos was on Charge It.

As for Sumaya U. S. Stables’ Pioneer of Medina, he had a walk day Tuesday following a :59.80 five-furlong breeze Monday morning. Pioneer of Medina is 21st on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, a spot that would leave him on the outside looking in should all the horses above him with more points enter on Monday.

“We got bumped yesterday,” trainer Todd Pletcher said alluding to the re-entry into the Derby picture of Classic Causeway.

And should there be one defection from the prospective Derby field, would Pioneer of Medina be a go on the first Saturday in May?

“We’re thinking about it,” Pletcher said.



CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) warmed up in the mile chute and then had a light gallop under exercise rider Masa Matsuda.

Winner of the UAE Derby (GII) in his most recent start, Crown Pride is scheduled to work Wednesday morning. His trainer, Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on Sunday.



CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – Trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio of Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos all had a 1 ½-mile gallop at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Gold Star’s Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Cyberknife, who’s named after the non-invasive procedure that helped cure owner Al Gold’s prostate cancer, is scheduled to work Saturday along with Peachtree Stable’s Tawny Port.

Zozos, the runner-up in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) for owners Barry and Joni Butzow, is slated to work Friday.

Cox announced Monday that Zozos will be ridden in the Derby by Manny Franco. Florent Geroux has the call on Cyberknife while the jockey on Tawny Port has yet to be determined.



EPICENTER – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Epicenter returned to the track Tuesday morning following his scheduled Monday walk day.

Epicenter jogged one mile and had a light one-mile gallop under exercise rider Roberto Howell.

The speedy Epicenter showed a new style of running in the Louisiana Derby and was able to track just off of the early leaders.

“To see the way Epicenter was able to sit just off the pace in the Louisiana Derby is very pleasing considering how fast the early pace is each year in the Derby,” Hall of fame trainer Steve Asmussen said. “With 20 horses in the Derby, the post-position draw matters. We obviously hope he’s able to get away from there cleanly but the success he’s had with variable styles is one less thing to worry about.”



SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Trainer Kenny McPeek’s Derby duo of Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb and Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy galloped a mile and a half with Edwardo Ruvalcaba aboard the former and Danny Ramsey on the latter.

The colts worked together last Saturday with their final pre-Derby drill penciled in for this Saturday, a day in which rain is in the forecast.

“I don’t worry about things I can’t control,” McPeek said. “I would have no problem working on an off track here.”



SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow galloped a mile and a half under Heinz Runge.

Trained by Bhupat Seemar, who is scheduled to arrive in Lousville Wednesday, Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to work Sunday.



UN OJO – Cypress Creek Equine and Whispering Oaks Farm’s Un Ojo galloped about a mile and a half under Clay Courville, son of trainer Ricky Courville.

The Rebel (GII) winner is scheduled to have his final pre-Derby drill Saturday.



ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon galloped about 1 ½ miles at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Trainer Chad Brown was on hand and watched his top Derby contender from the Churchill Downs clocker stand.

The Upstart colt is likely to work Saturday.



SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Here’s the current Top 20 horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby (with jockey and trainer):

Epicenter (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen);
Zandon (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown);
White Abarrio (Tyler Gaffalione, Saffie Joseph Jr.);
Mo Donegal (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher);
Tiz the Bomb (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek);
Cyberknife (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox);
Crown Pride (JPN) (Christophe Lemiere, Koichi Shintani);
Taiba (Mike Smith, Tim Yakteen);
Simplification (Jose Ortiz, Antonio Sano);
Smile Happy (Corey Lanerie, Kenny McPeek);
Classic Causeway (Julien Leparoux, Brian Lynch);
Tawny Port (TBA, Brad Cox);
Barber Road (Reylu Gutierrez, John Ortiz);
Un Ojo (Ramon Vazquez, Ricky Courville);
Early Voting (TBA, Chad Brown); ~ Possible
Messier (John Velazquez, Tim Yakteen);
Zozos (Manny Franco, Brad Cox);
Summer Is Tomorrow (Mickael Barzalona, Bhupat Seemar);
Charge It (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher);
Happy Jack (Rafael Bejarano, Doug O’Neill)

[Kasept]

LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE

Winngate Stables’ Kathleen O., the leading point earner on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, arrived at Churchill Downs from Keeneland Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning galloped an easy mile under exercise rider David Jego.



COCKTAIL MOMENTS – Dixiana Farms’ Cocktail Moments galloped a mile and a half during the special Kentucky Derby and Oaks training window from 7:30-7:45 a.m.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Cocktail Moments is scheduled for her final pre-Oaks work on Friday.



GODDESS OF FIRE, NEST, SHAHAMA – The Todd Pletcher-trained trio of Kentucky Oaks hopefuls all galloped 1 3/8 miles over a fast track on a brisk Tuesday morning.

Coming out at 7:30 were Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s Nest with Nora McCormack aboard and KHK Racing’s Shahama with Humberto Zamora in the saddle. Red Oak Stable’s Goddess of Fire was on the track a half-hour later with Zamora aboard.



HIDDEN CONNECTION – Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ Hidden Connection galloped about 1 ½ miles early Tuesday morning. She’s slated to work once more prior to the Oaks with jockey Reylu Gutierrez in the saddle.



KATHLEEN O. – Winngate Stables’ undefeated Kathleen O., the leading point earner on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks by virtue of her victories in the Davona Dale (GII) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII), got her first feel of the Churchill Downs racing strip Tuesday morning by galloping an easy mile under exercise rider David Jego.

Kathleen O. arrived at Churchill Downs Monday afternoon after spending a couple of weeks at Keeneland where she had two works. Trainer Shug McGaughey is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Wednesday afternoon.



NOSTALGIC – Godolphin’s Nostalgic had a 1 3/8-mile gallop Tuesday morning with veteran exercise rider Penny Gardiner in the saddle.

“She got to Kentucky and seems to be thriving,” trainer Bill Mott said. “We’re happy with her preparation from New York and it’s translating here at Churchill.”



SECRET OATH – Briland Farm’s top Longines Kentucky Oaks contender Secret Oath had a walk day after her six-furlong move in 1:13 early Monday morning.



TURNERLOOSE – Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Turnerloose appeared on the Churchill Downs track around 8 a.m. Tuesday for a 1 ½-mile gallop under regular exercise rider Edvin Vargas.

Trainer Brad Cox has not finalized her jockey for the Kentucky Oaks.



SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS – Here’s the Top 14 horses on the leaderboard for the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) (with jockey and trainer): Kathleen O. (Javier Castellano, Shug McGaughey); Echo Zulu (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen); Nest (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Yuugiri (Florent Geroux, Rodolphe Brisset); Desert Dawn (Umberto Rispoli, Phil D’Amato); Nostalgic (Jose Ortiz, Bill Mott); Venti Valentine (Tyler Gaffalione, Jorge Abreu); Secret Oath (Luis Saez, Wayne Lukas); Goddess of Fire (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Turnerloose (TBA, Brad Cox); Hidden Connection (Reylu Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun); Cocktail Moments (Corey Lanerie, Kenny McPeek); Candy Raid (Rafael Bejarano, Keith Desormeaux); Shahama (Flavien Prat, Todd Pletcher).

[Kasept]

Kentucky Derby clocker report: Crown Pride leaves his partner in the dust

Mike Welsch | Apr 27, 2022

LOUISVILLE, KY. – If there is a buzz horse going into the 2022 Kentucky Derby not named Zandon, it would be Crown Pride, whose stock has risen a long ways in a short time, not only from the attention he receives as a result of his somewhat unconventional training regimen, but also because of works like the one he posted during the Derby/Oaks training session Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

The skies were clear and the temperature in the low 40s in Louisville for a second straight morning, with the racetrack a bit on the quick side throughout training hours.

CROWN PRIDE spent a little time warming up in the chute before coming back on the main track to begin his drill while going in company with the Dale Romans-trained Southern Passage, who briefly was on the Kentucky Derby trail himself a year ago and more recently a good second against entry-level allowance company at Keeneland. Crown Pride, the UAE Derby winner, wore blinkers for the first time locally, an odd-looking set equipped with eye shields to protect him from any kickback that might occur from working behind another horse.

Although the work was officially called in as four furlongs by Crown Pride’s connections, he actually broke off at the five-eighths pole, about four lengths or so behind Southern Passage. After stretching his legs with a 13.01-second opening furlong, Crown Pride accelerated rapidly, readily running past his target while getting to the top of the stretch after three-eighths in 35.98. He continued to increase his advantage over a somewhat passive partner while working several paths out from the rail and under pressure to the wire. Crown Pride covered the distance in 59.25 before gearing down seemingly purposefully on the gallop-out, easing up after six furlongs in 1:13.43. This more serious and certainly no less impressive move was in contrast, by design, from several days earlier when he worked solo and breezed through the early stages before finishing full of run into and around the clubhouse turn.

RICH STRIKE will need a lot of help to get into the Derby lineup from his current position on the Kentucky Derby qualifying points list. He, too, went a swift five panels Wednesday, going in 59.70 off a 35.01 opening three-furlong split. Rich Strike was sent along for his best at the end while finishing on his left lead. He did sustain excellent energy on the gallop-out, covering six furlongs in 1:12.91 before pulling up after a mile in 1:40.23.

It was a busy morning aside from the two workers during the 7:30-7:45 training session reserved for the Derby-Oaks horses, many of whom spent time schooling at the gate, either the main or auxiliary one stationed in the one-mile chute.

The Todd (Pletcher) Squad was first on the track, with Derby contenders CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, and PIONEER OF MEDINA leading the way in that order. All three continue to make good appearances, especially Mo Donegal, who really seems to be enjoying himself while getting over the track extremely well since his maintenance-like breeze here last Friday.

EPICENTER, who figures to vie with Zandon for Derby favorite, and CYBERKNIFE, another quickly gaining plenty of respect following his easy Arkansas Derby victory and subsequent eye-catching work here last weekend, also schooled in the gate this morning before turning in routine gallops. Both looked well and appear to be progressing nicely toward the main event, with one more work scheduled for each over the upcoming weekend.

ZANDON was among the last Derby horses to come out to train this morning, again showing plenty of harnessed energy while kept well out from the rail and under a snug hold throughout.

Pre-dawn Derby gallopers included CLASSIC CAUSEWAY and BARBER ROAD, who also were in maintenance mode.

[Kasept]

CROWN PRIDE BLAZES HALF-MILE IN :46.40 IN 4TH DOWNS WORK


LOUISVILLE, KY (Wednesday, April 27, 2022) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) turned in his most impressive pre-Kentucky Derby work Wednesday morning by working a bullet half-mile in :46.40 over a fast track.

Working with the 4-year-old Southern Passage from trainer Dale Romans’ barn, Crown Pride produced fractions of :11.60, :23.20 and :46.40 and galloped out in 1:00.20 and 1:14.80.

Regular exercise rider Masa Matsuda was aboard Crown Pride, who has had four works at Churchill Downs since arriving here March 30 after winning the UAE Derby (GII).

Also working Wednesday morning was RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike for trainer Eric Reed.

With Gabriel Lagunes aboard, Rich Strike worked five furlongs in :59.60. He produced eighth-of-a-mile fractions of :11.80, :23.40, :35, :47.20 and :59.60 and galloped out in 1:12.60 and 1:25.80.

Third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) in his most recent start, Rich Strike is 24th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and would need four defections from the anticipated starters to gain a spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 148.



BARBER ROAD – WSS Racing’s Barber Road galloped about 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The former $15,000 weanling purchase rallied from about six lengths off the early pace in the Arkansas Derby (GI) to finish second by 2 ¾ lengths behind Cyberknife.

“I’m certainly not going to change his running style going into the Derby,” trainer John Ortiz said. “He was on the lead when he broke his maiden which gave him a lot of confidence since it was a claiming race. I think if he could be about mid-pack in the Derby it would be the ideal position.”



CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway had a 1 ½-mile gallop Wednesday morning under regular exercise rider Calamity Compton.

Classic Causeway would be Australian-native trainer Brian Lynch’s first starter in the Kentucky Derby.

“It’s really exciting for my owners and for us as a barn to have a horse like this,” said Lynch, who moved to the U.S. nearly three decades ago. “We won some pretty big races in the Breeders’ Cup and Queen’s Plate but you could say it would be a dream come true to win the Kentucky Derby.”

Lynch moved from Australia and competed on the rodeo circuit riding bulls. In Australia, Lynch worked around horses and eventually bought horses on his own.



CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – Trainer Todd Pletcher is watching the weather forecast as he plots the final works for his Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

“The forecast looks a little dicey for the weekend,” Pletcher said. “If the forecast looks favorable, I’d work the (Oaks) fillies Friday and the colts Saturday. I am prepared to move up a day or back a day with either of them.”

All three of his Derby hopefuls galloped 1 3/8 miles during the 7:30-7:45 morning training window for Derby and Oaks horses. Amelia Green partnered Donegal Racing’s Mo Donegal; Hector Ramos was aboard Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It and Carlos Perez was on Sumaya U. S. Stables’ Pioneer of Medina, who is No. 21 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.



CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s well-traveled Crown Pride (JPN) turned in his most impressive pre-Kentucky Derby work Wednesday morning by working a bullet half-mile in :46.40 over a fast track.

With regular morning partner Masa Matsuda aboard, Crown Pride produced fractions of :11.60, :23.20 and :46.40 and galloped out in 1:00.20 and 1:14.80 while working in company with the 4-year-old Southern Passage.

Crown Pride left Japan on March 17 to travel 5,000 miles to Dubai where he won the UAE Derby (GII). He traveled another 7,300 miles from Dubai to Churchill Downs, arriving here March 30. Wednesday’s work was his fourth since arriving here.

Before the work, Crown Pride warmed up in the mile chute while the track was undergoing a harrow break and following the work had a leisurely trip back to the quarantine barn.

“That is a typical Japanese training regimen,” said Japan-based representative for the Kentucky Derby Kate Hunter. “Masa was very pleased with the work. He said Crown Pride moves well over the surface with no extra effort.”

Crown Pride’s previous works here were six furlongs in 1:18.60 on April 16, a half-mile in :49.80 on April 19 and a half-mile in :49.20 on April 24. He is scheduled to work again Sunday.

Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Sunday night and will be at the post position draw Monday afternoon.

Jockey Christophe Lemaire is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on Monday.



CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – Trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio of Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos all visited the Churchill Downs starting gate and had a 1 ½-mile gallop at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Cox reported all three horses would likely work Saturday.



EPICENTER – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Epicenter trained later than his normal 5:30 a.m. to school in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, which is located in the one mile chute.

Epicenter was on the track at 7:30 a.m. during the restricted window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks training. After his schooling session he had a standard gallop with exercise rider Roberto Howell in the boot.



SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy and Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb both galloped a mile and a half during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Oaks hopefuls.

Danny Ramsey was aboard Smile Happy and Edwardo Ruvalcaba was aboard Tiz the Bomb for trainer Kenny McPeek.



SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow galloped a mile and then had a paddock schooling session under Heinz Runge.

Runner-up in the UAE Derby (GII) in his most recent start, Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to work Sunday.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar is scheduled to arrive in Louisville tonight.



UN OJO – Cypress Creek Equine and Whispering Oaks Farm’s Un Ojo stood in the starting gate and then galloped two miles under Clay Courville, son of trainer Ricky Courville.

“He walked right in there with no problem,” said Clay Courville, who rode Un Ojo through the paddock Tuesday and plans to bring him back Thursday morning after training hours as part of a walk day.

Ricky Courville is expected to make the 11-hour drive from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Louisville tomorrow.



ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon galloped about 1 ½ miles at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“I’m really excited the way he’s taken to the surroundings here at Churchill,” trainer Chad Brown said. “We’ll likely keep him on the Saturday work pattern.”



ALSO ELIGIBLES: RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike worked five furlongs in :59.60 with Gabriel Lagunes aboard for trainer Eric Reed. Working on his own at 7:30, Rich Strike produced eighth-of-a-mile fractions of :11.80, :23.40, :35, :47.20 and :59.60 and galloped out in 1:12.60 and 1:25.80.

“You couldn’t do any better than that,” Reed said of Rich Strike, who is No. 24 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. “Now we’ll just wait and see what happens.”

Third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) in his most recent start, Rich Strike would need four defections from the anticipated starters to gain a spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 148.



SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Here’s the current Top 20 horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby (with jockey and trainer): Epicenter (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen); Zandon (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown); White Abarrio (Tyler Gaffalione, Saffie Joseph Jr.); Mo Donegal (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Tiz the Bomb (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Cyberknife (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Crown Pride (JPN) (Christophe Lemiere, Koichi Shintani); Taiba (Mike Smith, Tim Yakteen); Simplification (Jose Ortiz, Antonio Sano); Smile Happy (Corey Lanerie, Kenny McPeek); Classic Causeway (Julien Leparoux, Brian Lynch); Tawny Port (TBA, Brad Cox); Barber Road (Reylu Gutierrez, John Ortiz); Un Ojo (Ramon Vazquez, Ricky Courville); Early Voting (TBA, Chad Brown); Messier (John Velazquez, Tim Yakteen); Zozos (Manny Franco, Brad Cox); Summer Is Tomorrow (Mickael Barzalona, Bhupat Seemar); Charge It (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher); Happy Jack (Rafael Bejarano, Doug O’Neill).