DERBY DIGEST: Last major works completed ahead of Monday draw

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kentucky Derby clocker: Cyberknife works strong five furlongs

Mike Welsch | Apr 23, 2022

Churchill Downs
Weather: Clear
Track: Fast
Temp: 65

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The action started early, as it usually does when trainer Brad Cox has a Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup horse scheduled for an important work, on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs with CYBERKNIFE and jockey Florent Geroux ready to get down to business just minutes after the racetrack opened for training at 5:15 a.m.

Cyberknife had stablemate Koolhaus for a partner, breaking off several lengths behind before readily overtaking his target once settling into the stretch. The Arkansas Derby winner had little trouble pulling well clear of his overmatched mate, hitting the wire several lengths in front while still well within himself after negotiating five furlongs in 1:00.09. He increased that advantage while completing six panels into the turn in 1:12.38 before galloping out seven-eighths in a very solid 1:24.39 without need of encouragement on Geroux’s part. Reportedly a horse who rarely disappoints in the morning, Cyberknife gave every indication that he has bounced out of his career-best effort at Oaklawn in top form.

The special Kentucky Derby/Oaks training session at 7:30 was a relatively busy one, with three potential Derby starters and three for the Oaks turning in what is likely to be penultimate drills for their respective races. Adding a little spice to the fire was an appearance by Tampa Bay Derby winner Classic Causeway, sans a Kentucky Derby towel, with regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for a significant piece of work.

The most notable drill of the 15-minute session was turned in by the Ken McPeek-trained pair of SMILE HAPPY and TIZ THE BOMB, who worked in company from the five-eighths pole. Tiz the Bomb broke outside his mate with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, while Smile Happy, who got a bit hot in the coat this morning, was on the rail and piloted by his regular rider Corey Lanerie. The duo breezed an easy five furlongs, finishing virtually on even terms, with Tiz the Bomb getting the faster time, 1:01.18 by virtue of the fact he broke off a length back of his mate, although it was Smile Happy (1:01.38) who appeared to be going a touch easier to the wire and held a slight edge on the gallop out, which appeared average at best.

Derby longshot UN OJO turned in a credible five-furlong breeze going solo over the fast track, showing off his speed to post a 35.09 opening three-furlong split before completing the distance in 59.66 under some nudging pressure to continue. The 75-1 Rebel winner continued three-quarters under some additional prodding in a very respectable 1:12.71.

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY, who is probably more likely to wind up in the Pat Day Mile than the Derby, proved too good for his company, drawing four lengths clear at the wire after five panels in 35.86, 1:00.38. A major disappointment when tiring badly in the Florida Derby, Classic Causeway had good energy continuing out another quarter-mile under Ortiz this morning, easing up after seven furlongs in 1:27.86.

At Keeneland, ZENDON showed absolutely no ill effects from his winning effort in the Blue Grass, working four furlongs in 48.60 before galloping out "powerfully" according to Daily Racing Form clocker Donald Harris, going five-eighths in 1:00.80 and six furlongs in 1:13.80 before easing up seven-eighths in 1:27.60. Zendon may have just stamped himself the Derby favorite off this drill.

FRIDAY

Five likely Derby starters worked on Friday, four over a track that still had some moisture in it at Churchill Downs and a fifth, Simplification, over his home track at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s pair of Wood runner-up MO DONEGAL and Florida Derby second-place finisher CHARGE IT breezed in separate sets with two entirely different goals in mind. Mo Donegal breezed a very easy maintenance half-mile with fellow 3-year-old My Prankster and the relatively inexperienced Charge It, still playing a little catch-up coming into the Derby, going a strong five furlongs in company with the older, vastly more accomplished graded stakes winner Cezanne, finishing strong and galloping out full of run before easing up a mile in 1:38.60 per track clockers.

Earlier in the morning, Cox’s ZOZOS also turned in a solid drill, going six furlongs from the five-eighths in 1:12.40 per track clockers, ultimately getting the better on the gallop out of the older, three-time Grade 3 winner Fulsome. Zozos did work with his head cocked outward toward the grandstand while traveling along easily in the run down the long, Churchill Downs stretch.

BARBER ROAD had a bit of an oddly orchestrated six-furlong breeze, barely getting out of an open gallop for an opening half-mile in a dawdling 52.14 before being set down to race-mode encouragement from the three-sixteenths pole to and well beyond the wire, responding with a 24.02 final quarter before sustaining excellent momentum going out a mile in 1:42.38.

At Gulfstream Park, SIMPLIFICATION continues to progress nicely since his third-place finish in the Florida Derby, turning in a second straight very noteworthy five-furlong work punctuated by a stellar gallop out. Working over a lively strip with jockey Junior Alvarado up, Simplification completed five-eighths in 59.42 with his rider like a statue before continuing full of run into and around the turn under just a light reminder to gallop out six furlongs in 1:11.95 before easing but not completely pulling up after a mile in an eye-catching 1:37.52.



OAKS

Saturday’s trio of Oaks workers after the first renovation break included HIDDEN CONNECTION, completing a pressured six furlongs from the five-eighths in 1:13.79; NOSTALGIC, doing an easy half in company in 48.80, and VENTI VALENTINE, running four furlongs in a lively 47.20 per track clockers.

Friday morning was dominated by a trio of Pletcher fillies, topped by the undefeated NEST, who went a maintenance-like half in 49.80 under Ortiz before being headed on the gallop out by maiden mate Inventing and the Oaks-bound duo of SHAHAMA and GODDESS OF FIRE, with the former proving much the best on the gallop out after completing five panels in 1:00.74, easing up after seven-eighths in 1:26.07 while holding the edge going easily outside her pressured mate.

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Kentucky Derby clocker: Asmussen goes big with Epicenter, Echo Zulu

Mike Welsch | Apr 24, 2022

Churchill Downs
Weather: Sunny
Track: Fast
Temperature: 66

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It was a “big” work day for trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn Sunday morning at Churchill Downs with Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks King and Queen pins Epicenter and Echo Zulu each working a serious six furlongs in company well before dawn.

It was another unseasonably warm day in Louisville, with the temperature reaching into the low 70s by the time the final work over the new $10 million turf course was in the books later in the morning, well after the two Asmussen 3-year-olds had been cooled out and returned to their stalls. A moderate south wind made everyone work a little harder down the stretch and when galloping out into the turns on both the main and turf tracks.

EPICENTER, who will likely vie for favoritism in the Derby with Blue Grass winner Zandon, went in company with his 6-year-old allowance mate Gun It, the pair easing away from the six-furlong pole in a leisurely 13.09 before picking up the pace. The duo turned into the stretch off a crisp 46.96 half-mile clocking, Epicenter holding a slight edge while going easiest to the wire to complete the distance in 1:12.34. The Louisiana Derby winner was given a little encouragement upon passing the finish line to continue into the clubhouse turn, easing up best after seven furlongs in 1:26.44, nearly a full second slower than Echo Zulu had galloped out the same distance about 30 minutes earlier.

CROWN PRIDE was the only other Derby contender to work locally on Sunday, breezing an official four furlongs from the three-eighths pole in 49.40, the work far more impressive than the final time suggests. Crown Pride got quicker the farther he went, going from the wire into the turn and into the wind in 12.12 before continuing to accelerate around the bend, completing five furlongs in 1:01.43 without any need of encouragement. An easy winner of the UAE Derby despite racing against the grain of the track bias that day at Meydan, Crown Pride could prove one of the sleepers in this year’s Derby field.

Only a handful of horses galloped during the special Derby/Oaks training session this morning, including the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Wood winner Mo Donegal and Pioneer of Medina, who moved up to the all-important 20th spot on the Kentucky Derby qualifying points list following Sunday’s announcement by Asmussen that Morello had been withdrawn from consideration for the Derby. Pioneer of Medina missed a scheduled work Friday, but could be back on the tab Monday morning.

UAE Derby runner-up Summer is Tomorrow made his first local appearance and appeared a bit uncomfortable galloping down the stretch on his left lead while kept along the inside rail the first time around before looking a bit smoother his second pass down the stretch.

At Gulfstream Park, Florida Derby winner WHITE ABARRIO also had a “big” work of his own, going five furlongs in company in 1:00 before completing six panels into the turn under vigorous handling in 1:12.58, after which he shut down a bit quick, pulling up after a mile in 1:45.32 per track clockers.

ECHO ZULU had the 3-year-old filly King Ottoman for a partner, the pair negotiating six furlongs in 1:11.74 with internal splits of 24.13, 47.60 for the opening quarter and half-mile. Echo Zulu was put to a little light pressure while about a head back of her maiden mate at the wire before holding a narrow edge of her own after saving ground along the rail, galloping out seven furlongs under some continued encouragement in 1:25.52.

HAPPY JACK shipped to Kentucky form Southern California on Saturday. He is scheduled to breeze next Saturday at Keeneland, trainer Doug O'Neill said.

- additional reporting by Jay Privman

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PIONEER OF MEDINA GETS DERBY 148 AUDITION; SECRET OATH DRILLS FIVE FURLONGS FOR OAKS; CLASSIC CAUSEWAY BACK IN DERBY PICTURE

LOUISVILLE, KY (Monday, April 25, 2022) – Sumaya U.S. Stables’ Pioneer of Medina, third-place finisher in the Louisiana Derby (GII) in his most recent start, tuned up for a possible start in Kentucky Derby 148 by working five furlongs in company in :59.80 over a fast track on a cloudy morning at Churchill Downs.

Trained By Todd Pletcher, Pioneer of Medina is 21st on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for the Run for the Roses that is limited to the top 20 point earners that pass the entry box next Monday, May 2.

Working during the special training session reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls between 7:30-7:45 and working with maiden winner Macallan, Pioneer of Medina posted eighth of a mile fractions of :12.60, :24.40, :35.60, :47.80 and :59.80 and galloped out in 1:12.60, 1:25.40 and 1:40.20.

Shortly after the track opened at 5:15, Briland Farm’s Secret Oath worked six furlongs on her own in 1:13 with jockey Luis Saez aboard for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Fractions on the work were :24.20, :36, :48, 1:00, 1:13 and out seven furlongs in 1:28.20.

Owners Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Tampa Bay Derby (GII) winner Classic Causeway is back into Kentucky Derby contention, according to the Churchill Downs Racing Office.


CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – Trainer Todd Pletcher’s three Kentucky Derby hopefuls were on the track at 7:30 with the prime object of attention being Sumaya U.S. Stable’s Pioneer of Medina who worked five furlongs in :59.80, the best of eight at the distance for the morning.

Working during the special training session reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls with Carlos Perez up and working with maiden winner Macallan, Pioneer of Medina post eighth of a mile fractions of :12.60, :24.40, :35.60, :47.80 and :59.80 and galloped out in 1:12.60, 1:25.40 and 1:40.20.

“You can use all the trainer clichés you want,” Pletcher said. “We saw what we wanted to see. It was very good, well executed with a strong finish and he galloped out well.”

Fourth and third behind possible Kentucky Derby favorite Epicenter at Fair Grounds in his past two starts in the Risen Star (GII) and Louisiana Derby (GII), Pioneer of Medina stands 21st on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

“I’ll talk it over with Mr. (Oussama) Aboughazale) and we’ll see how he comes out of the work and make a decision,” Pletcher said. “He got a good breeze over the track and he has the opportunity to draw in.”

Donegal Racing’s Mo Donegal, winner of the Wood Memorial (GII) in his most recent start, galloped 1 3/8 miles under Amelia Green and will be ridden in the Derby by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It, runner-up in the Florida Derby (GI) in his most recent start, galloped 1 3/8 miles under Hector Ramos and will be ridden in the Derby by Luis Saez.


CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) returned to the track a day after working a half-mile in :49.20.

With Masa Matsuda aboard, the UAE Derby (GII) jogged in the mile chute and then schooled in the starting gate before returning to the Quarantine Barn.

Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on Sunday with jockey Christophe Lemaire scheduled to come in the following day.


CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – It was a routine morning of training for trainer Brad Cox’s trio of Derby contenders Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos.

Gold Star’s Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Cyberknife, with Katie Tolbert in the saddle, jogged about one mile with the pony at 6:40 a.m.

About an hour later, Peachtree Stable’s Lexington Stakes (GIII) winner Tawny Port galloped with Edvin Vargas in the irons. He was joined on the track by Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos and Kelvin Perez. The runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (GII) has been on a Friday work schedule while Cyberknife and Tawny Port could work Saturday.

Cox has not made any rider decisions for Tawny Port and Zozos. Florent Geroux has the call on Cyberknife.


EPICENTER – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Epicenter had a scheduled walk day in Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s Barn 38.

The Not This Time colt worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 Sunday at Churchill Downs.


SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy and Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb returned to the track for trainer Kenny McPeek for the first time since working five furlongs Saturday morning.

Danny Ramsey was aboard Smile Happy, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) here last fall, while Edwardo Ruvalcaba was aboard Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) in his most recent start.

Corey Lanerie has the mount on Smile Happy in the Derby while Brian Hernandez Jr. will pilot Tiz the Bomb.


SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow, runner-up in the UAE Derby (GII) in his most recent start, galloped a mile and half under Heinz Runge.

Summer is Tomorrow arrived at Churchill Downs Saturday morning and had his first exercise on the track Sunday.

“This is a big eye opener for him,” said Caroline Seemar, wife of trainer Bhupat Seemar. “We have a private track at home and this is like a festival for him.”

Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to work Sunday with gate and paddock schooling on the agenda leading up to the Derby, said Seemar, whose husband is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Wednesday.

Mickael Barzalona has the Derby mount.


UN OJO – Cypress Creek Equine and Whispering Oaks Farm’s Un Ojo jogged twice around under Clay Courville, son of trainer Ricky Courville, in his return to the track following a five-furlong work of :59.40 on Saturday, the second-fastest of 70 at the distance.

Winner of the Rebel (GII), Un Ojo is scheduled for a gate schooling session Thursday and will have his final pre-Derby work on Saturday.

Ricky Courville is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Thursday night. Ramon Vazquez has the Derby mount.


ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon made his first appearance at Churchill Downs Monday at 9:40 a.m. Zandon shipped to Louisville Sunday morning from Keeneland.

The Upstart colt worked a half-mile in :48.80 Saturday at Keeneland.

“It looked like he was galloping through the lane,’ trainer Chad Brown said, who was on hand to oversee his string of horses Monday at Churchill Downs. “It was a super move. I really just wanted to stretch his legs and evaluate how he’s moving and maintaining where he’s at.”

Zandon and several other stablemates are in Barn 25.


ALSO ELIGIBLES: Julie Gilbert and Aaron Sones’ Lexington Stakes (GIII) fourth-place finisher Ethereal Road worked five furlongs in 1:02 Monday morning at Churchill Downs. … RED-TR Racing’s Rich Strike, No. 24 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs tonight, according to trainer Eric Reed. Rich Strike will train Tuesday morning and has a breeze scheduled for Wednesday.


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 (TBA, 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 (TBA, 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


COCKTAIL MOMENTS – Dixiana Farms’ Cocktail Moments, runner-up in the Ashland (GI) in her most recent start, galloped during the special Derby/Oaks training window from 7:30-7:45 for trainer Kenny McPeek.


GODDESS OF FIRE, NEST, SHAHAMA – Trainer Todd Pletcher’s trio of Kentucky Oaks hopefuls all galloped 1 3/8 miles Monday morning.

Red Oak Stable’s Goddess of Fire, runner-up in the Rachel Alexandra (GII) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) in her past two starts, was partnered by Humberto Zamora. Pletcher said John Velazquez would have the Oaks mount.

Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s Nest, winner of the Ashland (GI) in her most recent start, was partnered by Nora McCormack. Irad Ortiz Jr., who has ridden Nest in all four of her victories, has the Oaks mount.

KHK Racing’s undefeated Shahama had Zamora aboard for her morning exercise. Flavien Prat has the Oaks mount.


HIDDEN CONNECTION – Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ Hidden Connection had an easy one mile jog Monday around 5:30 a.m.


NOSTALGIC – Godolphin’s Nostalgic had a 1 ½-mile gallop Monday morning with veteran exercise rider Penny Gardiner in the saddle.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott was in attendance Monday and accompanied his 3-year-old filly on the pony.


SECRET OATH – Briland Farm’s top Longines Kentucky Oaks contender Secret Oath worked a sharp six-furlong move in 1:13 early Monday morning.

Secret Oath, with jockey Luis Saez in the saddle, began her three-quarters of a mile work from the 5 ½-furlong marker and completed the move 1/16 mile past the wire.

“It was a big plus with the five-week break since the Arkansas Derby,” Lukas said. “We took our shot in the Arkansas Derby and it didn’t quite work out but we’re really excited to get to run her in this year’s Oaks.”

Lukas has won the Oaks four times but has not run in the race since Colonial Empress’ 11th-place finish in 2012. His most recent victory in the Oaks was in 1990 with Overbrook Farm’s Seaside Attraction.


TURNERLOOSE – Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Turnerloose had an easy morning of training with a one-mile jog under Edvin Vargas.


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]

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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).

[Kasept]

UNDEFEATED TAIBA PUTS IN FINAL KENTUCKY DERBY WORK AT SANTA ANITA



LOUISVILLE, KY (Thursday, April 28, 2022) – The principal action for Kentucky Derby 148 occurred more than 2,000 miles west of Churchill Downs Thursday morning as Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Taiba worked six furlongs in 1:12.80.

“It was very straight forward,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “He worked three-quarters from the five-eighth pole. It was a typical Taiba work and we accomplished what we wanted. I got him in 1:12.60 and out in 1:26. We’re good.”

Drayden Van Dyke was aboard Taiba who worked in company with the 4-year-old American Admiral.

Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Taiba is undefeated in two career starts will be attempting to become the first horse since Leonatus in 1883 to win the Kentucky Derby in his third start.

Yakteen plans to work Messier, the Santa Anita Derby runner-up, Friday morning with both colts scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Indianapolis on Sunday and then van south to Churchill Downs.

“My general feeling is that both horses are doing really super (following the Santa Anita Derby),” Yakteen said. “They are both very professional and make my job easy.”

In addition to Messier working on Friday, Tami Bobo’s Fountain of Youth (GII) winner Simplification is scheduled to work at Gulfstream Park for trainer Antonio Sano.



BARBER ROAD – WSS Racing’s Barber Road galloped about 1 ½ miles at 7:30 a.m. Thursday under exercise rider Daniel Ortiz.



CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway sported his new Kentucky Derby 148 saddle towel and had a 1 ½-mile gallop at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Calamity Compton in the saddle.

Jockey Julien Leparoux was on hand to watch his Derby mount gallop.

The three-time winner is scheduled to work Saturday.



CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – “All is good so far,” trainer Todd Pletcher reported Thursday morning after his trio of Kentucky Derby hopefuls galloped 1 3/8 miles during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks hopefuls.

Pletcher plans to work the trio Saturday morning but overnight rain Friday is in the forecast. “We are monitoring the weather,” Pletcher said.

On Thursday morning, Donegal Racing’s Mo Donegal was partnered by Amelia Green; Hector Ramos was aboard Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It; and, Carlos Perez was on Pioneer of Medina.



CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) had a walk day following a half-mile work in :46.40 on Wednesday.



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. Thursday.

Cox reported all three horses would work Saturday.



EPICENTER – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Epicenter returned to his normal 5:45 a.m. training time Thursday.

The talented Not This Time colt is scheduled to work Sunday.



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 Thursday morning with Edwardo Ruvalcaba aboard Tiz the Bomb and Danny Ramsey on Smile Happy.

They are scheduled to have works on Saturday.



SUMMER IS TOMORROW – With trainer Bhupat Seemar on hand, Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow galloped a mile under Heinz Runge.

Following training hours, Summer Is Tomorrow had a paddock schooling session.

“Do all the homework now and get the prize next Saturday,” said Seemar, who was returning to Churchill Downs for the first time since 2002 when he was an assistant to Bob Baffert for War Emblem’s Derby.

“It has been a long time, but that wasn’t my first Derby,” Seemar said. “I was here as a spectator for Charismatic (in 1999).”

Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to work Sunday.



UN OJO – Cypress Creek Equine and Whispering Oaks Farm’s Un Ojo had a walk day Thursday according to Clay Courville, son of trainer Ricky Courville.

Clay Courville had thought about bringing Un Ojo over to the paddock after training hours but opted to wait until Monday “when I have some help.”

Help is on the way as his dad left Lafayette, Louisiana, Thursday morning and will be in Louisville tonight.

Un Ojo is scheduled to work Saturday.



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

Zandon is slated to have his final Derby 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); 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).



LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE



COCKTAIL MOMENTS – Dixiana Farms’ Cocktail Moments galloped a mile and a half and is scheduled to have her final work for the Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday.



GODDESS OF FIRE, NEST, SHAHAMA – The Todd Pletcher-trained Kentucky Oaks trio of Goddess of Fire, Nest and Shahama galloped 1 3/8 miles Thursday morning and are scheduled for works Friday morning.

Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s Nest was partnered by Nora McCormack and KHK Racing’s Shahama had Humberto Zamora aboard at 7:30. A half-hour later, Zamora sent Red Oak Stable’s Goddess of Fire through her paces.



HIDDEN CONNECTION – Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ Hidden Connection galloped about 1 ½ miles at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Following her training session, Hidden Connection schooled in the Churchill Downs paddock at 10 a.m.

“She handled things very well,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “She showed a lot of talent in the Fair Grounds Oaks and really gave it her all against Echo Zulu. I think she got a lot out of that race into the Kentucky Oaks.”

Hidden Connection is scheduled to work Friday with jockey Reylu Gutierrez in the saddle.



KATHLEEN O. – Winngate Stables’ Kathleen O. galloped 1 ¼ miles with regular exercise rider David Jego aboard.

Trainer Shug McGaughey was on hand to watch the morning’s activity and said the undefeated Kathleen O. would work Saturday morning.



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

The Gazelle (GIII) winner is scheduled to work Friday or Saturday.



SECRET OATH – Briland Farm’s top Longines Kentucky Oaks contender Secret Oath jogged one-mile at 5:15 a.m. and had a light gallop in the chute.



TURNERLOOSE – Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Turnerloose has a 1 ½-mile gallop Thursday morning.

Trainer Brad Cox reported Turnerloose would have her final Oaks tune up Friday morning.



VENTI VALENTINE – NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Gazelle (GIII) runner-up Venti Valentine had a 1 1/2-mile gallop Thursday morning. She’s scheduled to work Friday or Saturday, according to trainer Jorge Abreu.

[Kasept]

ZANDON WORKS FIVE FURLONGS IN 1:00.40; MESSIER, SIMPLIFICATION WORK ON BOTH COASTS FOR DERBY 148



LOUISVILLE, KY (Friday, April 29, 2022) – There were three works on the Kentucky Derby front Friday morning with the one at Churchill Downs featuring Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon.

Working on his own at 7:30 (all times Eastern) over a fast track with regular morning partner Kriss Bon aboard, Zandon completed the five furlongs in 1:00.40 for trainer Chad Brown.

Churchill Downs clockers caught Zandon in fractions of :12.80, :25, :36.80, 1:00.40 and out in 1:12.80 and 1:26.40.

Working about the same time at Gulfstream Park was Tami Bobo’s Fountain of Youth (GII) winner Simplification who worked five furlongs in 1:00.44 for trainer Antonio Sano over a muddy track. Junior Alvarado was aboard for the work that was the fastest of 10 at the distance for the morning.

A few hours later at Santa Anita, Messier, the runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (GI) worked six furlongs in 1:11.60 for trainer Tim Yakteen.

It will be a different story Saturday beneath the Twin Spires with more than half of the projected Derby field scheduled to have their final works.

Slated to work are the Todd Pletcher trio of Charge It, Mo Donegal and Pioneer of Medina; the Brad Cox trio of Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos; the Kenny McPeek duo of Smile Happy and Tiz the Bomb; Un Ojo for Ricky Courville, Classic Causeway for Brian Lynch and Barber Road for John Ortiz.

Meanwhile at Gulfstream Park, C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable’s Florida Derby (GI) winner White Abarrio is scheduled to work for Saffie Joseph Jr. and at Keeneland, Calumet Farm’s Happy Jack is scheduled to work at 7:30 for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill. Jockey Rafael Bejarano is slated to be aboard for the breeze.



BARBER ROAD – WSS Racing’s Barber Road galloped about 1 ½ miles at 7:30 a.m. Friday under exercise rider Daniel Ortiz.

Trained by John Ortiz, Barber Road is scheduled to work Saturday.



CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway had an easy morning at the track for trainer Brian Lynch. The Giant’s Causeway colt jogged about one mile and continued to have a light canter in the chute.

Classic Causeway is scheduled to work Saturday morning with jockey Julien Leparoux in the saddle.



CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – The Todd Pletcher-trained trio had routine gallops of 1 3/8 miles Friday morning, the day before their final works for Kentucky Derby 148.

Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It was partnered by Hector Ramos and will have Derby rider Luis Saez aboard for Saturday’s work at 7:30.

Sumaya U. S. Stables’ Pioneer of Medina had Carlos Perez aboard for Friday’s exercise and Perez is expected to handle Saturday’s work.

Donegal Racing’s Mo Donegal came out at 8 o’clock with Amelia Green aboard. Irad Ortiz Jr. is scheduled to be aboard for Saturday’s work.



CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) galloped a mile under exercise rider Masa Matsuda.

Winner of the UAE Derby (GII), Crown Pride is trained by Koichi Shintani who is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Sunday night. Yoshida is expected to be here Derby Day.



CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – Trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio of Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos all had a more energetic 1 ½-mile gallop leading into the final Derby works Saturday.

Cyberknife, with Katie Tolbert aboard, and Tawny Port, with Edvin Vargas, both trained at 7:30 a.m. About 40 minutes earlier, Zozos galloped with Kelvin Perez up.



EPICENTER – Led by assistant trainer Scott Blasi, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter came out at 5:50 a.m. Under exercise rider Roberto Howell, the Not This Time colt went through his routine gallop. Winner of four out of past last five, including the Risen Star (GII) and TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GI), Sunday will be Epicenter’s third workout since arriving at Churchill Downs from Fair Grounds



MESSIER – Santa Anita Derby (GI) runner-up Messier worked six furlongs in 1:11.60 on his own with Drayden Van Dyke up at Santa Anita for trainer Tim Yakteen.

Messier is scheduled to fly with Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba on Sunday to Indianapolis and then van to Churchill Downs. Tabia worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 on Thursday at Santa Anita.



SIMPLIFICATION – Despite a muddy track at Gulfstream Park, Tami Bobo’s Simplification worked five furlongs in 1:00.44 for the best of 10 works at the distance.

Junior Alvarado was aboard Simplification for trainer Antonio Sano. Jose Ortiz has the Derby mount.

“Everything was great,” Sano said of the work that produced fractions of :37 and 1:00.44 with out times of 1:12.80, 1:25.20 and the mile in 1:38.60. “I couldn’t be happier. He leaves here at 5 this afternoon by van.”

Sano, who will arrive in Louisville Sunday afternoon, had his first Kentucky Derby starter in 2017 with Gunnevera who finished seventh behind Always Dreaming. Gunnevera came back to Churchill Downs the following year and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).



SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Trainer Kenny McPeek’s Derby hopefuls —Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb and Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy — again galloped a mile and a half Friday morning. Edwardo Ruvalcaba was aboard Tiz the Bomb and Danny Ramsey was on Smile Happy.

“They’re doing super,” said McPeek, who plans to give them their final works Saturday during the period reserved for Derby and Oaks horses.



SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow made a visit to the starting gate and then galloped a mile under Heinz Runge for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

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

The Burkes are scheduled to arrive in Louisville next week for the Derby.



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

The elder Courville was on hand Friday morning after arriving Thursday from his home base in Lafayette, Louisiana.

“He looks pretty good to me,” said Courville, who last saw his Rebel (GII) winner more than a week ago when he departed for Churchill Downs.

Un Ojo, who is missing his left eye, was equipped with a new blinker Friday morning.

“I tried a new blinker to cover his eye,” Courville said. “He may work in it in the morning. I’ll talk it over with the owners.”

Un Ojo is scheduled to work at 7:30 Saturday with Clay Courville up.



ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon has his scheduled Saturday moved up one day by trainer Chad Brown. The Blue Grass (GI) winner worked a swift five furlongs in 1:00.40 under exercise rider Kriss Bon.

Zandon, one of the top contenders in this year’s Derby, began his work at the half-mile pole and completed the breeze at the seven-eighths pole. He completed early eighth-mile fractions of :12.80, :25, and :36.80. Zandon completed his work with a seven-furlong gallop out of 1:26.40.

“I just didn’t want to take any chances with the weather forecast, even though it looks better for tomorrow,” Brown said. “The track is in fabulous shape. You’re not going to get a better track to train over than we got this morning.

“With horses at this level heading into the Derby, very few of them work poorly,” Brown said. “It’s the best of the crop running in the Derby. You just hope that you can be in that group of good workers and not in that small one that may not work well.”

Zandon will be ridden in the Derby by Flavien Prat.



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 (Rey 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).



LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE – Six Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) probable entrants had their final works for next Friday’s $1.25 million race over a fast track.

Topping the sextet was the Todd Pletcher-trained trio of Nest (half-mile in :48.60), Goddess of Fire (five furlongs in 1:01) and Shahama (five furlongs in 1:01.20). Also working were Hidden Connection (a half-mile in :50.20) for trainer Bret Calhoun, Turnerloose (five furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Brad Cox) and Venti Valentine (five furlongs in 1:00.80) for trainer Jorge Abreu.

Scheduled to work here Saturday are Kathleen O., Nostalgic, Cocktail Moments and Candy Raid.



CANDY RAID – The Keith Desormeaux barn arrived Thursday afternoon, coming in from Keeneland. Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Desormeux’s Candy Raid made her way to the track to gallop 1 1/2 mile at 7:30 a.m. under exercise rider Alex Cano. Desormeaux reported the last-to-first winner of the Bourbonette Oaks will breeze on Saturday.

Led by Kirk Godby, Don’t Tell My Wife Stables will be present en masse: “They’re coming on a 747 – 100 of them from Dallas. Likely just for the day [Saturday May 8th],” Desormeaux said.



COCKTAIL MOMENTS – Dixiana Farms’ Cocktail Moments galloped a mile and a half and is scheduled to have her final work for the Longines Kentucky Oaks on Saturday.

“She’s doing good coming into the race,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “She’s probably in the second tier of favorites, and has an outside chance.”

On April 22, she breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 in her first work back since finishing second to Nest in the Ashland (GI).



GODDESS OF FIRE, NEST, SHAHAMA – Four-time Kentucky Oaks-winning trainer Todd Pletcher was “very pleased with all three” of his candidates for next Friday’s 148th running of the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies.

Working first during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks runners was Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s Nest with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.

Working inside of 3-year-old maiden filly Investing, Nest produced fractions of :24.20 and :48.60 and galloped out in 1:01 and 1:14.

“It’s 21 days after the Ashland (GI that she won at Keeneland) and it was a solid work,” Pletcher said. “She finished good and galloped out strong.”

Working together were Red Oak Stable’s Goodess of Fire with Humberto Zamora aboard and KHK Racing’s Shahama with Oaks rider Flavien Prat aboard.

Shahama was on the inside with fractions of :25.40, :37.20, :49.20, 1:01.20 and out in 1:13.60, 1:26.20 and 1:40.40. Goddess of Fire had fractions of :25.20, :37, :49, 1:01 and out in 1:13.40, 1:26 and 1:40.20.

“I wanted them to do a little more than Nest,” Pletcher said. “They both finished well and galloped out strong.”



ECHO ZULU – L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Echo Zulu came out to the track at 5:30 a.m. and made her way through a routine gallop with regular exercise rider Wilson Fabian on board.

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi reported all went well. The undefeated 2-year-old Eclipse Award-winning filly is scheduled to breeze Sunday morning.



HIDDEN CONNECTION – Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ Hidden Connection had her final move prior to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) with an easy half-mile move in :50.20 under jockey Rey Gutierrez.

“Her work last week was great and today, even though it was easier, it was just as impressive,” Gutierrez said. “This is one of the best group of 3-year-old fillies that there’s been in recent years. There are six or seven of them who have been so impressive in their races leading up to the Oaks. (Hidden Connection) ran a super race against Echo Zulu in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She got a lot out of that effort and she was so close to winning. The Oaks is going to be super competitive not only with those two horses but throw in the fillies from New York, Florida, Secret Oath who ran a great race against the boys. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

This will be the first time the 26-year-old New York-native will ride in the Kentucky Oaks.

“It feels like just yesterday I was in my cap and gown walking across the stage when I graduated SUNY-Courtland,” Gutierrez said. “I’ve been around horses my entire life with my dad (Luis) training at Finger Lakes. At the end of my senior year of college I decided to pursue my career as a jockey. It’s pretty amazing to be where I’m at today. I’m riding at Churchill Downs with a mount in both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby (Barber Road).”

Hidden Connection will have a scheduled walk day Saturday.



KATHLEEN O. – Winngate Stables’ Kathleen O. kept to her schedule, walking the track and then galloping 1 1/4 miles under David Jego at 7:30 a.m. for trainer Shug McGaughey, who won the 1993 Kentucky Oaks with Ogden Phipps’ Dispute.

McGaughey reported that owner Patrick Kearney would arrive Wednesday or Thursday. Kathleen O. is scheduled to work Saturday.



NOSTALGIC – Godolphin’s Nostalgic is scheduled to work Saturday at Churchill Downs, according to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

The Gazelle (GIII) winner continued her normal training Friday with a 1 3/8-mile gallop with Penny Gardiner in the saddle.



SECRET OATH – Briland Farm’s Longines Kentucky Oaks contender Secret Oath was one of the first horses on the Churchill Downs surface Friday morning for a one-mile jog and about one-mile gallop under exercise rider Danielle Rosier.



TURNERLOOSE – Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Turnerloose had her final work prior to the Kentucky Oaks with a five-furlong move in 1:01.20 under exercise rider Edvin Vargas.

“She’s fit and ready to go,” trainer Brad Cox simply stated.

Cox has not confirmed a rider for the Oaks.



VENTI VALENTINE – NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Gazelle (GIII) runner-up Venti Valentine put in her final workout for next Friday’s Longines Kentucky Oaks, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard Friday morning during the period reserved for Oaks and Derby horses.

She worked five furlongs in 1:00.80, with splits of :13, :24.80 and :36.80, galloping out to 1:14 for the six furlongs.

“That’s the way she gallops,” said Francisco Abreu, brother to trainer Jorge Abreu, who supervised the filly’s workout and was satisfied with her efforts. “The first part, she’s a little anxious, then she calms down a little. It was just a maintenance work for her; she had a strong final work was a week ago.”

In looking ahead to the Oaks, Francisco Abreu said, “It’s coming up pretty tough. It’s going to be a good Oaks. She’s had five starts, with two wins and two seconds. Now it’s just galloping, with some schooling, going to the paddock and going to the gate. All the work is done now.”

Jorge Abreu will be at Churchill on Saturday.



ALSO-ELIGIBLES:



BEGUINE – Charles Matses’ Beguine worked five furlongs in :59.40 under jockey James Graham for trainer Danny Peitz.

Runner-up in the Fantasy (GIII), Beguine would need four defections from the roster of likely Oaks entrants to make the field when entries are drawn Monday.



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 (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun); Cocktail Moments (Corey Lanerie, Kenny McPeek); Candy Raid (Rafael Bejarano, Keith Desormeaux); Shahama (Flavien Prat, Todd Pletcher).

[Kasept]

Kentucky Derby clocker: Zandon eager to run in final work

Mike Welsch | Apr 29, 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- – It was Ladies Day at Churchill Downs on Friday morning, although with a little wrinkle thrown in during the special Derby-Oaks training session, which takes place from 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. daily. Six likely Oaks starters and a seventh hoping to draw into the race here next Friday turned in their final works, although all were overshadowed somewhat by the appearance of potential Derby favorite Zandon, who made his way onto the work tab 24 hours earlier than expected.

The weather was overcast with temperatures hovering in the mid to high 50s with the track in perfect condition throughout the morning.

ZANDON broke off at the five-eighths pole and was officially timed in 1:00.40 by track clockers. Daily Racing Form had his final quarter in 24.14, and had him galloping out in splits of 12.77 and 13.13 into and around the turn, although the time here was secondary to how visually impressive the Blue Grass winner looked to and through the wire. He cruised along powerfully while once again giving the appearance of wanting to do much more than his rider allowed. Expect his ever growing bandwagon to be even a bit more crowded after today’s effort.

NEST was the first of the Oaks contenders to work, going in company once again with her lightly raced but promising maiden mate Inventing. The pair breezed four furlongs in 48.91 while kept well off the rail down the stretch before galloping out full of run around the turn. Nest, nearest the rail with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, maintained a slight edge throughout, easing up after a very solid six furlongs in 1:14.21. It was a nice step forward off an easier breeze here last week.

The undefeated SHAHAMA and stablemate GODDESS OF FIRE were next up. Goddess of Fire was about a half-length back and outside exiting the half-mile pole, and they went to the wire in 48.41 from that point while also kept far off the rail down the lane. Shahama maintained her narrow advantage while going easiest throughout under jockey Flavien Prat, completing a very impressive six furlongs from the half in 1:13.09 without ever being asked for her best. Shahama has definitely been best of this pairing in both local drills, and may be flying a bit under the radar as a sleeper among a talented and very contentious Oaks lineup.

HIDDEN CONNECTION had her work this morning designed to showcase the gallop-out, and it went according to plan. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez harnessed her speed early on before allowing the Fair Grounds Oaks runner-up to strut her stuff into and around the clubhouse turn. Hidden Connection completed an opening quarter in 25.09 and a half in 50.20 before going out five-eighths in 1:02.73 and pulling up seven furlongs in a very willing 1:27.44.

TURNERLOOSE moved forward off her work the previous week when she was overmatched in company by the very talented Juju’s Map. Turnerloose showed big improvement going solo this morning while also doing her best work on the gallop-out. Turnerloose covered a half in 49.06 before running out five furlongs with tons of energy in 1:01.64, up 1:14.72 for six furlongs.

VENTI VALENTINE had a second good work over the local surface. The Gazelle runner-up, Venti Valentine completed five-eighths in 1:00.17, out six furlongs in 1:13.56. BEGUINE, who does not figure to draw into the Oaks lineup, sizzled five panels in 58.82 for trainer Danny Peitz. She covered the three furlongs in 35.09.

CROWN PRIDE gave every indication he has bounced out of his fast and extremely impressive work here Wednesday none the worse for wear, once again galloping in an aggressive fashion while especially full of run down the stretch and into the turn, giving his rider all he could handle trying to throttle all that energy.

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY came out on the track at 5:30 a.m. and did not gallop, jogging once around before heading up into the mile chute. He is scheduled to have his final work on Saturday.

At Gulfstream Park, SIMPLIFICATION turned in the third in a series of eye-catching drills exiting the Florida Derby, completing five furlongs in 1:00.27 before galloping out six panels in 1:12.81 and pulling up a mile in 1:38.59, working over a muddy and slightly harrowed track. Jockey Junior Alvarado sat chilly in the saddle once again during the work. The Fountain of Youth winner, Simplification is scheduled to arrive locally on Sunday.

At Santa Anita, Messier breezed six furlongs from the five-eighths pole. Per Daily Racing Form, he went five furlongs in 59.40, six in 1:12.20, and galloped out seven-eighths in 1:25.40, fanning wide into the stretch and traveling on his own and going very smoothly throughout

[Kasept]

11 hopefuls complete major drills at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby 148



LOUISVILLE, KY (Saturday, April 30, 2022) – The action started when the track opened for training at 5:15 (all times Eastern) on a cloudy but mild Saturday morning at Churchill Downs when the Brad Cox-trained duo of Cyberknife and Zozos worked six furlongs together in 1:11.20 and 1:11.40, respectively.

Following during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses beneath the Twin Spires were Cox’s third Derby hopeful Tawny Port (five furlongs in 1:01.60); the Todd Pletcher trio of Mo Donegal (half-mile in :48.60), and Charge It and Pioneer of Medina who worked a half-mile together in :47.40; the Kenny McPeek tandem of Smile Happy and Tiz the Bomb who worked a half-mile together in :48; Barber Road (a half-mile in :48.80) for trainer John Ortiz; Classic Causeway (six furlongs in 1:13.20) for trainer Brian Lynch and Un Ojo (a half-mile in :47.60) for trainer Ricky Courville.

Working at Keeneland was Calumet Farm’s Happy Jack, who covered a mile in 1:39.60 under jockey Rafael Bejarano.

Scheduled to work Sunday at Churchill Downs are Epicenter for Steve Asmussen and Crown Pride (JPN) for Koichi Shintani. Scheduled to work after the 10th race this afternoon at Gulfstream Park is C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable’s White Abarrio.



BARBER ROAD – WSS Racing’s Barber Road had his final move prior to the Kentucky Derby with a half-mile move in :48.80 under trainer John Ortiz’s exercise rider Elexander Aguilar.

“We’re ready,” Ortiz said. “We’ve had a really strong campaign leading into the Derby and he has a lot of good seasoning underneath him. We know we have a fit horse and will be ready for the mile and a quarter.”



CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway had his final Derby work Saturday morning with a strong six-furlong move in 1:13.20 outside of three-time winner Sounion.

Classic Causeway, ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, clipped through early fractions of :24.60, :36.60 and :48.60. Classic Causeway started about one length behind Sounion and drew away inside the eighth pole. Classic Causeway galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27.

“He’s been doing everything right on the track to earn his spot in the Derby,” trainer Brain Lynch said. “With the way he’s training, I don’t want to be the one to hold him back.”

Classic Causeway, the winner of the Sam F. Davis (GIII) and Tampa Bay Derby (GII), will be ridden in the Derby by Leparoux.



CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – The trio of Todd Pletcher trainees took advantage of the special 7:30-7:45 a.m. training period on the Churchill Downs racetrack reserved for Derby and Oaks contenders to put in their final serious exercises for next Saturday’s 148th edition of the Run for the Roses.

Working inside stablemate My Prankster (who had Hector Ramos up and a date in next Saturday’s Pat Day Mile), Mo Donegal covered a half mile in :48.60 with a gallop out in 1:01.80 with Derby rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. at the controls.

Pletcher watched his colts’ drills from the Churchill grandstand and called Mo Donegal’s move “excellent.”

“He was in hand and it was a good controlled work and gallop out,” the Hall of Fame conditioner offered afterward on the backside. “I was very happy with it.”

Next up was the stable’s duo of Charge It and Pioneer of Medina with the former, handled by Derby rider Luis Saez, inside of his partner, who had exercise rider Carlos Perez in the saddle.

The roan Charge It and the bay Pioneer of Medina moved as one through splits of :12.20, :23.60, :35.80 and :47.40 with out times of :59.60 and 1:12.40.

“It was a solid move,” Pletcher said. “I got them in :23 and one for the last quarter. I was in touch with them on the radio and we had that scary moment when the siren went off (a workmate of an Oaks horse on the track lost the rider) just as they were at the wire so I alerted them. But I saw they picked up the loose horse right away and I was able to let them know about that, too.”

Mo Donegal, who has won three of five lifetime starts, most recently in New York’s Wood Memorial (GII), and Charge It, a winner of one of three outings, but second in Gulfstream’s Florida Derby (GI) in his latest attempt, are both assured of a starting spot in the Derby. But Pioneer of Medina, a double winner from six starts with a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (GII) as his latest effort, is currently listed as No. 21 on the Derby roster that only allows for 20 runners. But with the connections of at least one of the top 20 Derby eligibles indicating they’ll wait for another day, it appears likely that “Pioneer” will suit up for the mile and one-quarter classic.

“From here,” Pletcher concluded, “we’ll do the usual stuff – like visiting the gate and galloping. We’ll be galloping up to the Derby.”



CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) galloped under regular morning partner Masa Matsuda and is scheduled for a half-mile work Sunday morning at 7:30.

The UAE Derby (GII) winner will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire who rode at Churchill Downs for the Breeders’ Cup in 2010 and 2011.



CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – Trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio of Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos all had their final works prior to the “Run for the Roses” Saturday.

At 5:15 a.m., Gold Square’s Cyberknife worked outside of Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos through swift opening eighth-mile fractions of :23, 34.60, :47 and :58.80. Cyberknife began the work about one-length back of Zozos and the duo finished on even terms.

At 7:30 a.m., Tawny Port, with newly named jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 outside of stablemate Shared Sense.

“There’s a lot of excitement leading into these final Derby works,” Cox said. “You start to get a little anxious as the days near closer to the Derby. Things went very smooth this morning.”

Jockey Florent Geroux was aboard Cyberknife for his work Saturday. The 35-year-old native of France spent some time outside of Cox’s barn following the work as he was anxiously awaiting for his brother to arrive from France.

“I think this is the part of Derby Week that is special because a lot of family and friends are here to support you,” said Geroux, who hasn’t seen his brother for more than two years due to COVID-19 restrictions in France. “I’ve been watching his plane on my phone and my family is excited to spend some time with him once he arrives.”



EARLY VOTING – Trainer Chad Brown reported a decision will come Sunday morning whether Klaravich Stable’s Wood Memorial (GII) runner-up Early Voting will run in this year’s Kentucky Derby.



EPICENTER – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter visited the paddock before galloping under exercise rider Roberto Howell.

Epicenter is scheduled to work Sunday morning, rain or shine, according to assistant trainer Scott Blasi.



HAPPY JACK – While Kentucky Derby horses populated the work tab at Churchill Downs, Calumet Farm’s homebred Happy Jack, 20th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, was 75 miles east at Keeneland, where he worked a mile in 1:39.60 over a fast track under jockey Rafael Bejarano.

The colt by 2013 Preakness (GI) winner Oxbow had arrived at Keeneland the previous weekend from trainer Doug O’Neill’s Southern California base.

“We’ve had some good fortune doing this before,” O’Neill said about shipping to Keeneland prior to heading to Churchill for the Derby. “We did it with Nyquist where we came here and did our final prep (before winning the 2016 Derby). It’s so quiet; the track’s got a good cushion so it’s a little bit demanding, which we think they get a little bit better exercise out of it. Very happy with the way it went this morning.”

O’Neill, who also won the Derby in 2012 with I’ll Have Another, said working Happy Jack a mile was a good test.

“(He’s a) horse who’s got the potential but he hasn’t put up the numbers that we need to be a huge player in the race,” O’Neill said. “We wanted to ask him firmly and make sure he was fit and ready. To me, he answered that question, and he’s ready.”

Happy Jack is scheduled to leave Keeneland for Churchill around 1 p.m. Sunday.



MESSIER, TAIBA – Trainer Tim Yakteen reported from Santa Anita Saturday morning that his two Kentucky Derby colts, the bay by Empire Maker named Messier, and the chestnut by Gun Runner named Taiba, were doing just fine and all but ready for their plane ride to Churchill Downs early Sunday morning.

“Messier (who had his final Kentucky Derby drill Friday morning at Santa Anita) just walked the shed today,” the 57-year-old conditioner said. “Taiba (who had his last Derby work Thursday, also at Santa Anita) had a jog day today and we had jockey Ryan Curatolo do the honors. He (Tabia) looked great on the track.”

Also on the plane will be his charge Doppelganger, who is bound for the Pat Day Mile (GII) on Derby Day.

Yakteen said he planned to catch the red eye out of Los Angeles Saturday night and was hoping to meet his trio at Churchill when they pulled in at approximately 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon following their flight to Indianapolis and their 2 ½-hour van ride to Louisville.



SIMPLIFICATION – Tami Bobo’s Simplification arrived at Churchill Downs early this afternoon following a van ride from Gulfstream Park in South Florida.

Trainer Antonio Sano is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Sunday afternoon and Simplification will go to the track Monday morning.

Jose Ortiz, who was aboard Simplification in his past two starts in the Fountain of Youth (GII) victory and a third-place finish in the Florida Derby (GI), has the call in the Kentucky Derby.



SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Trainer Kenny McPeek was satisfied with the final maintenance work for his two Derby hopefuls – Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb and Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy – despite a slight change in plans on the track.

They cruised together under the Twin Spires on Saturday in :48 for the half-mile and galloped out five-eighths in 1:00.20, with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard Tiz the Bomb and Corey Lanerie on Smile Happy. The first quarter was clocked in :23.80.

“I had him at 12s all the way around,” Hernandez said of Tiz the Bomb, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) winner at Turfway Park. “Just kind of a maintenance half the Saturday before Derby. Just one of those deals that he did his half and galloped out just like we wanted him to. Now it’s all about getting to the Derby in good order.”

Smile Happy, who has only raced four times, finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) at Keeneland to Zandon, surrendering the lead in the stretch. “In the Blue Grass, that track was tiring,” Lanerie said. “I was disappointed when he let that horse come and get him so easy. But I think he’s doing better than ever. I like our chances.”

The two also worked together a week earlier, with Tiz the Bomb taking the position out in front. This time, plans called for them to swap roles, putting Smile Happy ahead, but that didn’t happen.

“It’s like the coach who calls the play, and everybody is supposed to do this and that, but that’s not what we called,” McPeek said. “Corey said he was worried about Brian’s horse getting a little keen in front of him. He was afraid they were going to go too fast. We wanted a 12s workout, and I think that’s how it played out. I wanted them to go 12s, kind of side by side, and not totally engage. I think they ended up going that, to 48. But no, that’s not the play I called.”

“Last week, I was on Tiz the Bomb, and we broke off about a half-length behind Smile Happy,” Hernandez said. “Today we were supposed to swap places, but when we got to the pole, Smile Happy was a little further back than we thought he would be. So I went on and worked my horse like I thought he needed to be worked. It wasn’t quite the work that Kenny was looking for, but it looked like both horses got what they needed out of it.”

“It happens,” McPeek said. “Brian’s horse is doing exceptionally well, and Corey was worried they were going to go too fast, because I was adamant that I didn’t want them to go too fast. They didn’t need to go down there in :46.”

“Once you’re in the process of working, you don’t want to stop and make it perfect,” Hernandez said. “Sometimes you’ve got to call an audible and unfortunately that’s what we had to do today. The biggest thing is you don’t want to overdo it … and blow your race in the morning.”

“I hope we get a good, clean break, and find a good position going into the first turn,” Lanerie said about where he wants to be in the Derby with Smile Happy. “Hopefully I’d like to be no further back than fifth or sixth, and get a good, clean trip. But it’s the Derby, you never know.”

“I like that this is a home game for us,” McPeek said. “Both Brian and Corey have been around this oval all their lives, and both are solid journeyman riders. I don’t have much concern about them finding their way around there. Both Corey and Brian are due a signature horse, so maybe one of them’s got it this week.”

McPeek also had Hernandez out with Rattle N Roll, who’s 24th in the Derby points standings, and would need a number of defections to make the field.

“I’m not intending on running him. The horse is doing fine, but he’s unlikely,” McPeek said of the colt, who finished fourth in the Louisiana Derby (GII) and sixth in the Blue Grass. “I’d like to get him back to his winning ways, maybe in a Grade III or a nice listed two-turn race somewhere, and get him back to winning, and start from there. It’s a long season.”



SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to have his final work for Kentucky Derby 148 on Monday rather than Sunday.

“I like what I have seen so here so far,” said trainer Bhupat Seemar, who arrived in Louisville Wednesday night. “I usually work five days out from a race and I wanted to keep on the same schedule.”

Summer Is Tomorrow went twice around the track this morning with Heinz Runge aboard. Mickael Barzalona, who was aboard for the first time in Summer Is Tomorrow’s runner-up finish in the UAE Derby (GII), has the Derby mount and is expected to arrive in Louisville on Friday.

“It has been a long journey and it will be 11 days between works,” Seemar said. “He is putting weight back on and I wanted to give him an extra day.”



UN OJO – Cypress Creek Equine and Whispering Oaks Farm’s Un Ojo worked a half-mile in :47.60 under jockey Colby Hernandez. The work was the 14th fastest of 130 at the distance.

Working on his own, the Rebel (GII) winner posted fractions of :24.60, :36.40 and :47.60.

“I was worried about the weather last night and thought we may have to push it back a day,” trainer Ricky Courville said. “Colby has won a lot of races for us (in Louisiana).”

Ramon Vazquez will have the Derby mount.

Un Ojo worked without a piece of equipment that had been tested the day before to cover his missing eye.

“It was just a hood and he didn’t like it all,” Courville said. “He kept shaking his head.”



WHITE ABARRIO – Weather interrupted trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s plans for a final workout for Florida Derby (GI) winner White Abarrio at Gulfstream Park. The rain and a wet track means he’ll work at a special time Saturday afternoon in South Florida after the finale at Gulfstream Park.

“There was no rain at Palm Meadows, but Gulfstream Park got hit with a lot,” Joseph said by phone from South Florida. “It’s his last work before the Derby, an easy half-mile work. It looks like the weather is improving, but it takes just one shower to make a track bad.”



ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon had a scheduled walk day following his sharp five-furlong move in 1:00.40 Friday at Churchill Downs.

Zandon is scheduled to go to the track Sunday and school in the starting gate Tuesday.

Drown confirmed the pronunciation of Zandon is (Zan-Den).



ALSO ELIGIBLE – Trainer Kelly Breen confirmed Saturday morning that Edge Racing, Medallion Racing and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ In Due Time, No. 22 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, would not be participating in this year’s Run for the Roses.



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 (Ricardo Santana Jr., Brad Cox); Barber Road (Rey 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).



LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE – Four Kentucky Oaks candidates had their final works for Friday’s race this morning at Churchill Downs: Candy Raid (half-mile in :48.80), Cocktail Moments (five furlongs in 1:00.80), Kathleen O. (half-mile in :47.80) and Nostalgic (half-mile in :48.60).

Working this morning at Santa Anita was Desert Dawn (five furlongs in 1:00.60).

Scheduled for a final work Sunday is the undefeated Echo Zulu at Churchill Downs.



CANDY RAID – Trainer Keith Desormeaux said Saturday morning’s workout went well for Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Desormeux’s Candy Raid.

Candy Raid worked a half-mile in :48.40 and galloped out five-eighths in 1:01.40 with exercise rider Alex Cano aboard. It was her first work here since she was stabled here last fall and made one start.

“She did great out there,” Desormeaux said. “She is very confident, very sound. Happy, fit, confident, sound—that’s all I can do.”



COCKTAIL MOMENTS – Dixiana Farms’ Cocktail Moments worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 with her Longines Kentucky Oaks rider, Corey Lanerie.

“She’s doing great, and she put in a good work. We worked her in the second set after the break today,” trainer Kenny McPeek said of Cocktail Moments who was second to Nest in the Ashland (GI) in her most recent start. “She’s going to have to have some things set up for her, and she’ll have to run the race of her life. It’s a good group, and our expectations are modest, but she’s ready.”



DESERT DAWN, AIN’T EASY – Trainer Phil D’Amato sent Desert Dawn, his 3-year-old daughter of Cupid through a five-furlong drill of 1:00.60 at Santa Anita Saturday morning with jockey Ryan Curatolo aboard. She went at about 6:30 on a fast track and made her conditioner “very happy.”

“It was a good work,” her 46-year-old horseman said. “She was breezing all the way. It made me very happy.”

The bay Arizona-bred miss has won twice in seven starts, but her most recent effort was her best when she dug in late to capture the Santa Anita Oaks (GII) at the California track on April 9 by a neck. Umberto Rispoli rode her that afternoon and will be in the tack for next Friday’s Kentucky Oaks.

Both Desert Dawn and stablemate Ain’t Easy – who was considered for the Kentucky Oaks but now has been shifted to a start in Friday’s Grade II Eight Belles – will be on a plane out of California early Sunday morning with several other runners with dates to dance at Churchill Downs next weekend, including the Kentucky Derby-bound duo of Taiba and Messier. The horses then will be vanned to Louisville in a trip that should take approximately 2 1/2 hours.

D’Amato will take a plane of his own from California and hopes to meet up with his charges Monday morning on the Churchill backside.



ECHO ZULU –– L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Echo Zulu galloped at her usual 5:30 time under exercise rider Wilson Fabian, preparing for her Sunday morning workout. With rain in the overnight forecast, according to assistant trainer Scott Blasi she will head out to the track rain or shine.



GODDESS OF FIRE, NEST, SHAHAMA – Trainer Todd Pletcher had his three Kentucky Oaks fillies work Friday morning at Churchill Downs. On Saturday he had two of them – Goddess of Fire and Shahama – merely walk the shedrow at his Barn 35. But the other, four-time winner and one of the Oaks favorites Nest, was the first one on the racetrack for the special Derby/Oaks training period between 7:30-7:45 a.m. at Churchill Downs.

With exercise rider Nora McCormack in the boot, the bay daughter of Curlin galloped a mile out in the middle of the racetrack, then easily sauntered back to the barn.

Nest will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. when she goes in Friday’s Grade I, $1.25 million Run for the Lilies.



HIDDEN CONNECTION – Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ Hidden Connection had a scheduled walk day in trainer Bret Calhoun’s Barn 28 following her half-mile move in :50.20 Friday.



KATHLEEN O. – Winngate Stables’ Kathleen O. worked a half-mile in :47.80 with exercise rider David Jego up Saturday morning.

Working with 3-year-old allowance winner Smokin’ T, Kathleen O. produced fractions of :23.80, :47.80 and out five-eighths in 1:00.

Trainer Shug McGaughey said Kathleen O. works best with a target.

“She’s not necessarily a strong morning worker,” McGaughey said. “So we’re very pleased with what we saw today. I’m excited … we’re excited. We got through today and we know she always shows up on race day.

“This morning was right up there with some of her best. We’re glad to be back in Kentucky with her and we’re thinking with her running style she’ll appreciate the longer stretch here (at Churchill Downs).”



NOSTALGIC – Godolphin’s Nostalgic completed her major preparation for this year’s Longines Kentucky Oaks with a half-mile move in :48.60 inside of stablemate Mendenhall.

Nostalgic, ridden by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s go-to exercise rider Penny Gardiner, completed early fractions of :12.40 and :24.40. The Gazelle (GIII) winner galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.60.



SECRET OATH – Briland Farm’s Longines Kentucky Oaks contender Secret Oath was one of the first horses on the Churchill Downs surface Saturday morning and galloped 1 ½ miles with regular exercise rider Danielle Rosier in the saddle.



TURNERLOOSE – Ike and Dawn Thrash’s Turnerloose had a walk day in trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 following her five-eighths work Friday in 1:01.20.



VENTI VALENTINE – NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Gazelle (GIII) runner-up Venti Valentine had a light day walking the shedrow after putting in her final workout a day earlier for Friday’s Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI). With Tyler Gaffalione aboard, she worked fivefurlongs in 1:00.80.

Trainer Jorge Abreu said she came out of her Friday breeze in good shape. “All she’s gonna do now is jog tomorrow (Sunday) and gallop into the race.”



YUUGIRI – Tsunebumi and Sekie Yoshihara’s Fantasy GIII) winner Yuugiri put in her final work for the Kentucky Oaks by breezing a half-mile in :49.20 in company with Barossa over a fast track Saturday morning at Keeneland.

“We wanted to beat the rain (that was in the forecast), so we worked today,” said trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who was aboard for the work.

Fractions on the work were :12.80, :25.40, :37.80 and :49.20. Yuugiri galloped out the five furlongs in 1:01.80 in what was her third work since winning the Fantasy on April 2 at Oaklawn Park.

“I was very happy with the work; it was similar to her last work before the Fantasy,” Brisset said. “Hopefully she looks good tomorrow morning and we will bring her over in the afternoon.”

Florent Geroux, who has won the Oaks twice, will have the mount.



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 (Rey 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: Cyberknife, Zozos team up for sharp workout

Mike Welsch | Apr 30, 2022

Churchill Downs
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 65
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Saturday was the busiest morning yet on the Kentucky Derby/Oaks workout front at Churchill Downs. The majority of the action took place during a very hectic special training session that happens daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. and is restricted to horses competing in the two big events here next weekend.

A dozen likely starters turned in their all-important final works for this year’s Derby, 11 of them locally and a 12th, Happy Jack, about 70 miles down the turnpike at Keeneland. Four potential Oaks runners also worked here on a bulky (213 horses) and star-studded workout tab Saturday.

The weather has moderated some over the past 24-48 hours, with temperatures in the mid-60s when stablemates Cyberknife and Zozos kicked off the action just minutes after the racetrack, which was definitely on the quick side this morning, opened for training at 5:15 a.m.

CYBERKNIFE and ZOZOS proved a well-matched team going in tandem much of the way, the former getting a slightly faster final time after breaking off a length behind and outside his mate, completing five panels in 58.94 seconds before continuing six furlongs in 1:11.55 and out seven-eighths in 1:24.56. Both horses were pretty much on their own throughout, with Cyberknife, Florent Geroux aboard, perhaps holding the slight edge running out on the turn with Zozos, Flavien Prat in the saddle, not giving an inch while turning in a second straight very encouraging work of his own.

CHARGE IT and PIONEER OF MEDINA were the first workers after the renovation break and likewise were pretty nicely matched, with the former perhaps slightly best of the good-looking, Todd Pletcher-trained duo who breezed four furlongs in 23.71 and 47.66 before continuing full of run into and around the club turn, getting five furlongs under just a hint of encouragement in 59.91 before easing up three-quarters in 1:12.66 and pulling up a full mile in 1:39.68. Regular rider Luis Saez put Charge It, who has thrived since arriving locally nearly two weeks earlier, through his paces during a work that concluded while the warning siren was blaring, indicating a loose horse on the track at the time.

Pletcher also had to be pleased with what he saw from MO DONEGAL just moments later, with the Wood Memorial winner going in company with My Prankster and holding the edge throughout under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Mo Donegal, who has also looked good here on a regular basis this past week, went an easy half in 23.56 and 48.83 in hand to the wire before galloping out very willingly, five furlongs in 1:01.56, up six panels in 1:14.57.

The teamwork for the Kenny McPeek-trained duo of TIZ THE BOMB and SMILE HAPPY obviously didn’t go quite as planned after the latter dropped about five lengths behind his mate, breaking off at the half-mile pole. Tiz The Bomb maintained a comfortable advantage going easily throughout under Brian Hernandez Jr., with Smile Happy not mustering much of a closing response, making up a length or so to the wire while being nudged a tad by Corey Lanerie in an attempt to bridge the gap. Daily Racing Form had the leader in 24.13 and 49.03 and out in 1:02.06, as Tiz the Bomb was arguably the more impressive of the pair today.

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY, a late addition to the race after a nice five-furlong drill last week, stretched to six panels for his final Derby prep and looked good again, breaking behind workmate Soumion and readily drawing well clear of his pressured mate while traveling easily throughout under jockey Julien Leparoux. Classic Causeway, who figures to be part of the early pace in the Derby, completed the distance in 36.97, 48.69, and 1:13.26 before being allowed to ease up around the clubhouse turn.

TAWNY PORT, the third of Cox’s Derby trio, had Geroux up going an easy four furlongs in 49.42 out in 1:02.40, shading 36 seconds for his final three-eighths after walking away from the half-mile pole at a leisurely pace.

Nothing to knock about UN OJO, a decided Derby longshot, who drilled a relatively easy half-mile in 47.39 before going out five panels in 1:00.07 over a very fast track.

:: Get Derby Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the DRF Clocker Team to access exclusive insights from the morning workouts

BARBER ROAD was very workmanlike in what appeared to be strictly a maintenance drill this morning, showing good energy again on the gallop-out while kept out near the middle of the track to prevent him from doing too much a week out from the big event. Barber Road is another who has made a favorable impression this past week.

At Keeneland, HAPPY JACK had a set-down mile work to cap off his serious Derby preparations, going in splits of 26.05, 51.53, and 1:16.72 before completing the distance in 1:40.36 while put to a race-like drive by his rider from the half-mile pole to the wire.

On the Oaks ledger, the most noteworthy work was turned in by the undefeated KATHLEEN O., who posted a decent 24.47 and 48.05 half-mile clocking but struggled to keep pace late with stablemate Smokin’ T, a 3-year-old first-level allowance winner, while being set down hard to the wire and never able to get on even terms with his partner despite being kept under pressure into and around the turn.

It was NOSTALGIC’s partner Mendenhall who lost the rider and briefly ran loose at the start of the Derby-Oaks session. She was quickly corralled and returned to Nostalgic’s side, serving as an escort for the Grade 3 Gazelle winner who breezed an easy, maintenance-like half in 49.06 looking happy and with plenty in reserve going out five-eighths in 1:02.38.

Oaks candidate CANDY RAID was among the final workers during the special session, breezing a half in 48.88, and up in 1:02.32.

CROWN PRIDE showed off that abundant energy level again in a carbon copy of his Friday training session and seems primed for another big work.