Summer Is Tomorrow Breezes Easy Half-Mile for KY Derby

First training appearances from recent equine arrivals and an easy half-mile workout in :49 1/5 from UAE Derby Sponsored By Mubadala (G2) runner-up Summer Is Tomorrow  topped the May 2 training session at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prospects.

Michael Hilary and Negar Burke's Summer Is Tomorrow worked comfortably under Caroline Seemar, wife of trainer Bhupat Seemar. The 3-year-old covered his first two furlongs in :25 4/5 before quickening and completing the second half of his work in :23 2/5. The Summer Front   colt galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.

Bhupat Seemar said the workout "went to plan," five days removed from the May 7 classic.

"He can be very strong if he's in company," Seemar said. "So, you know, he finished well, he ran home. So it was in hand."

Watch: Bhupat Seemar, Trainer of Summer Is Tomorrow

While Summer Is Tomorrow was breezing through the lane, other colts made a sharp appearance in their first laps over the track, among them Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Simplification  and Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Taiba .

Taiba galloped under Humberto Gomez, Justify's exercise rider for trainer Bob Baffert during the colt's successful Triple Crown run in 2018. Taiba, previously trained by Baffert, is now conditioned by Tim Yakteen while Baffert serves a 90-day suspension for a medication violation from his trainee Medina Spirit  in last year's Kentucky Derby.

Besides Taiba, Yakteen has Santa Anita Derby runner-up Messier , another 3-year-old formerly trained by Baffert, pointed toward this 1 1/4-mile Derby. He also galloped Monday, doing so before the reserved period for Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) runners.

Un Ojo  did not train Monday and was withdrawn from Derby consideration due to what trainer Ricky Courville said was a bruised left front foot.

Crosby/King: Un Ojo Out of Kentucky Derby, Ethereal Road Makes Field

Summer Is Tomorrow comes off a longer race than many Kentucky Derby prospects, having raced 1 3/16 miles in the UAE Derby. Stretching out beyond seven furlongs for the first time, he led for much of the race before yielding in the final furlong and being passed by Crown Pride , who also runs in the Derby. Seemar's colt was beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

"He would have had plenty of conditioning from that race," said the trainer. "And this time we actually trained them for mile a quarter as well. So you know, he's gonna be a much better horse."

Summer Is Tomorrow is expected to be among the first flight of runners under Mickael Barzalona in the Kentucky Derby, depending on his draw. Post positions will be established during a draw Monday afternoon.

Seemar said his preferred post would be somewhere between 4 and 8. A 20-horse field, plus also-eligibles, is anticipated.

Shipping into Louisville early Monday morning was Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) winner White Abarrio .

“He got here at 4:30 this morning," said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. "He was a little keyed up when he first got here but he’s relaxed now and settling in nice."

Joseph, who expressed satisfaction with White Abarrio's April 30 half-mile work in :48.28 at Gulfstream Park, coming between races during their Saturday racecard, reported that the Race Day  colt would head to the track tomorrow to either jog or gallop.

"I’m very happy with how he’s coming into the (Kentucky Derby)," said Joseph. "I mean there’s still five days coming into the race and we need five good days of everything going right but so far so good."