DOWNS DAWN PATROL (4/24): Eskendereya's work put off..

[Kasept]

Not raining currently, but precip early morning has left the CD main sloppy. Todd Pletcher has already postponed ESKENDEREYA'S scheduled work as a result...

Harrow break underway... Pletcher sets upcoming MISSION IMPAZIBLE and RULE will work in company... SUPER SAVER, DISCREETLY MINE and DEVIL MAY CARE all working alone... As John Sadler suggested last night on ATR, SIDNEY'S CANDY will get his final serious work in as well..

Work parade started with SIDNEY'S CANDY in tandem with Via Verde. Sadler hopeful broke off about 1.5 lengths behind the barnmate and got opening eighths of :12.33, :23.91 and :35.29 as he got on equal terms and passed Via Verde. Made the half in :46.66 seeming to slide a little on the off going before finishing very nicely down the lane in :58.16. Gallped out 6f in 1:11.44 and the 7f in 1:26.57. Am sure Sadler will be happy...

RULE and MISSION IMPAZIBLE went together and stayed on even terms for the most part with Rule starting a length behind and getting within a neck of Mission by the wire. Consensus from the balcony was that Mission Impazible again outworked his stablemate, as Mike Welsch indicated he had a week ago at Palm Meadows. Splits: :12.1, :24.0, :35.3, :46.2, 1:00.1 and out in 1:13.4.

DEVIL MAY CARE had what will be looked at as a "Derby work", and couldn't have been more smooth and professional. Opened casually in :12.4 before getting in gear at :24.3, 36.2, :47.4 and hitting wire in 1:00.1 while galoping out in 1:13.3.

Calvin Borel worked SUPER SAVER a half for Team Todd and WinStar and had a solid effort with :12.4, :24.3, :36.3. splits before hitting the line in :48.4 with gallop outs of 1:01.3 and 1:16.0.

Finally, Javier Castellano dealt DISCREETLY MINE through a work that may be good enough to get Mrs. Robsham her first Derby starter. Working alone, Discreetly Mine went :12.2, :24.2, :36.2, :48.1 and 5f in 1:00.1 with 6f in 1:13.2 and 1:29.1 for 7f.

ESKENDEREYA again galloped a mile and a quarter without aspects which could be termed endearing. His work, if it comes tomorrow, will be as scrutinized as any in recent Derby Week memory.

[slotdirt]

Steve, great stuff as always.

I read somewhere that Homeboykris made a trip to Rood and Riddle after his work on Wednesday. Anything nefarious to report there, or just a maintenance trip?

[Thunder Gulch]

So what do we take of the fact Pletcher postpones Esky for a day while running his other guys out there? In a week for overanalyzing every step that 20 make, this horse has already been under the microscope with everyone looking for flaws. The front wraps, shaved legs, postponed work. I guess we'll know a little more after tomorrow and know for sure in a week.

[slotdirt]

Is it accurate that this is Super Saver's first published work since the Arkansas Derby?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Is it accurate that this is Super Saver's first published work since the Arkansas Derby?

Yes. But of course he raced two weeks ago today so timing is right. He's been jogging energetically daily too...

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Scav

Which horse racing channel has the video of the Derby horses working?

It is too bad that TVG is not having "The Works" for this year's Derby.

You can watch the Derby horses work at this site:

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/contender/works

[asudevil]

Eskendereya had a workout planned for Saturday postponed because of wet weather, and while Eskendereya did have a routine gallop, there is at least circumstantial evidence that Pletcher is trying to nurse Eskendereya through some issues. After training hours on Saturday, every horse at Pletcher's barn who was walking the shed row had their training bandages removed except for Eskendereya. This follows a postponed final prep, from the Florida Derby to the Wood Memorial two weeks later, and the addition of front bandages for the Wood Memorial.

"The last two races," Pletcher said, referring to runaway victories by Eskendereya in the Wood and Fountain of Youth Stakes, "he has separated himself from everyone. There's still a long ways to go. We're keeping our fingers crossed all the time."

[slotdirt]

So Dublin tried to bolt with a few thousand marathon runners? That doesn't bode well for 150,000 folks next Saturday.

[Kasept]

Move

[chucklestheclown]

Kasept-Re: Sid's Candy. I watched the work many times and thought I had convinced myself his right leg slid out because Talamo stood up and it was nothing to worry about. Is it something to worry about?