Derby Contender Max Player Records Five-Furlong Work
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Photo: Coady Photography
Max Player works Aug. 24 at Churchill Downs
George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds' Max Player recorded a swift five-furlong move in :59 3/5 the morning of Aug. 24 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). The work was the second fastest of 48 at the distance Monday.
Third in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), Max Player was recently transferred to the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen from New York-based conditioner Linda Rice. Monday's work was his second over the Churchill surface.
The Honor Code colt, who breezed with jockey Florent Geroux up, began his work two lengths behind stablemate Allege and coasted through fractions of :23 4/5 and :35 4/5. Max Player finished even with his workmate at the wire and continued to gallop out in front through six furlongs in 1:12 3/5.
"He worked really well behind his workmate," said Geroux, who was filling in Monday for Max Player's Derby rider Ricardo Santana Jr. "I think he will like the 1 1/4-mile distance in the Derby. I was working the horse this morning because Ricardo is still at Saratoga. Steve has given me many great opportunities in my career so I always try to help when he needs me. I will be on (trainer) Bob Baffert's horse Thousand Words in the Derby."
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Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Edgar Medina for trainer Juan Avila during the special time allotted for Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders. The son of Uncle Mo is scheduled to have his final move Saturday morning.
Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's former $100,000 claim Necker Island returned to the track following his walk day with an easy jog under exercise rider Hillary Hartman. Necker Island, trained by Chris Hartman, is tentatively scheduled to work Saturday with jockey Miguel Mena aboard.
Prior to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks training window, Lloyd Madison Farm's Major Fed galloped 1 1/2 miles at 5:15 a.m. under exercise rider Margarito Fierro. Trained by Greg Foley, the Ghostzapper colt is scheduled to have his final work Friday or Saturday. Approximately 45 minutes following Major Fed's gallop, Winning Impression had a light 1 1/2-mile gallop with trainer Dallas Stewart's exercise rider Emerson Chavez in the saddle.