El Kabeir in Sharp Drill for Kentucky Derby

Zayat Stables is alive with Derby horses, from John Terranova’s barn in New York to the barns of Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas at Churchill Downs.

The stable's northern hope, El Kabeir, showed that his arduous winter and spring campaign at Aqueduct Racetrack hasn’t taken a toll on him physically, as he turned in a sharp five-furlong work in 1:00.18 at Belmont Park April 19, the third fastest of 16 works at the distance.

"He went really well and did it in hand," said racing manager Justin Zayat. "He is pretty full of himself and we're excited for him to run in the Derby. I think he's a sleeper."

The son of Scat Daddy  , bred in Florida by Rustlewood Farm, has certainly earned his spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), having run in seven graded stakes in the past 6 1/2 months, finishing in the money in the last six, and fourth in the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) in the slop.

Along the way he has won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, the Jerome Stakes (gr. III), and Gotham Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct, while placing in the Withers Stakes (gr. III) and Twinspires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I), also at Aqueduct.

Amazingly, he set the pace in two stakes, then came from just off the pace in his next two stakes, and rallied from the back of the pack in his final two stakes, demonstrating uncanny versatility.

Although C.C. Lopez rode the colt in his last four starts, no decision has been made yet who his rider will be in the Kentucky Derby.

Zayat Stables also will represented at Churchill Downs by 2-year-old champion American Pharoah and the ubiquitous Mr. Z, who has competed in 11 stakes, 10 of them graded events. Those two galloped at Churchill Downs this morning, April 19.