Derby 'Todd Squad' Breezes at Churchill
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Trainer Todd Pletcher called an audible the morning of Friday, April 24 at Churchill Downs, choosing to work his contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) rather than waiting until Saturday due to impending rain.
Cheyenne Stables' Madefromlucky, under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, was declared off the Derby trail after a less-than-satisfactory work in company with Stonestreet Stables and Coolmore Partners' Stanford under exercise rider Isabelle Bourez. Stanford, the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) runner-up, outworked his stablemate, who comes off a fourth in the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. I).
"He had trouble getting a hold of the track on the turns for whatever reason," Velazquez said of Madefromlucky. "I wouldn't say it was a bad workout, but the other horse worked better."
Madefromlucky was clocked four furlongs in :48 3/5 on the outside, while Stanford was credited with the distance in :48 2/5. Internal splits for the pair were :12 2/5 and :24 1/5. Stanford galloped out in 1:01 and 1:13 4/5, while Madefromlucky galloped out in 1:01 3/5 and 1:15.
"Stanford breezed really well today and I thought his gallop out was particularly good," Pletcher said.
A race like the May 9 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park could be in the cards for Madefromlucky, whose defection opened a place in the 20-horse starting gate for Donegal Racing's Keen Ice.
Also on the tab for Pletcher, Alto Racing's Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Materiality breezed under jockey Javier Castellano, who has the mount in the Kentucky Derby. The undefeated son of Afleet Alex went inside in company with Starlight Racing's Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Itsaknockout, a Lemon Drop Kid colt who was ridden on the outside by exercise rider Ezequiel Perez.
Churchill clockers caught the duo through four furlongs in :48 flat, with splits of :12, :23 3/5, and :35 3/5. They galloped out in 1:01 and 1:14 3/5.
"They both worked very well and I thought they both got over the track very well," Pletcher said. "We're pleased."
Pletcher had been waiting to breeze Itsaknockout, Madefromlucky, and Stanford over the track before determining their Derby status—only Materiality and Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) winner Carpe Diem were certain for the Derby, Pletcher said earlier this week.
Carpe Diem's final pre-Derby work is also scheduled to be moved up one day, from Sunday to Saturday, April 25 in the early morning at Keeneland. Velazquez, who has the mount, will arrive at Pletcher's Lexington barn at 5:30 a.m. ET.
Earlier in the morning, Pletcher breezed his contenders for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).