Final Derby Tuneup for Danzig Moon
Image:
Description:
Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Danzig Moon put in his final work for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of April 24, breezing four furlongs in :48 4/5.
With jockey Julien Leparoux aboard for trainer Mark Casse, John Oxley's Danzig Moon worked in company with Bollente (:49) in fractional splits of :12 4/5, :25, and :37 through the first three-eighths of a mile. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 4/5.
Norman Casse, Mark Casse's son and assistant, said, "We're very, very pleased with the work; we got exactly what we wanted. Things couldn't be better."
While Casse said they didn't want Danzig Moon to do too much, they still opted to have a workmate because he had always worked in company.
"We didn't want him to be too strong, but we didn't want to send him out the first time today without a workmate," Casse said.
Leparoux labeled it a "very nice move" and said he believes the colt is improving.
Danzig Moon, an Ontario-bred 3-year-old son of Malibu Moon purchased for $160,000 from the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale, broke his maiden going a mile at Gulfstream Park in his first start of 2015. He finished fourth to Carpe Diem in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) then stamped his ticket to the Kentucky Derby with his Blue Grass effort.
The Churchill Downs work tab was busy with Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contenders Friday, as inclement weather is forecast for the weekend.
ANGST: Derby 'Todd Squad' Breezes at Churchill
ANGST: Oaks Runners Kick off Pletcher's Breeze Day
ANGST: Far Right Focused in Final Derby Move
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.