Derby Notes: Three Scheduled to Work Saturday
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While several Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) hopefuls worked Friday in an effort to take advantage of good weather, connections of Derby hopefuls International Star, Tencendur, and Keen Ice will try to stick to the plan of working Saturday, April 25, when rain is forecast.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner and Road to the Kentucky Derby points leader (171) International Star galloped 1 1/4 miles at the Trackside training center with exercise rider Joel Barrientos aboard, the same routine he has kept every day this week, according to trainer Mike Maker. The New York-bred colt by 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is scheduled to work Saturday morning at Churchill Downs but those plans are subject to change.
"Mother Nature is going to dictate," Maker said. "If the weather is good we'll go at 8:30 [a.m.]."
If there are showers Saturday morning that muddy the track, as currently expected, then International Star's breeze would "most likely" be pushed back to Sunday, the trainer said. Another possibility, less likely but also under consideration, would be to train Saturday at Trackside as soon as the track opens to beat the rain.
Phil Birsh homebred Tendendur galloped 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Blair Golen Friday and is scheduled to work Saturday morning. Golen said that jockey Manny Franco will be in from New York to breeze the colt, who will work in company with stablemate Wake Up in Malibu.
Trainer George Weaver typically sends Tencendur out with a workmate for his breezes.
"We do that with him because he gets a little distracted out there by himself and it just keeps him focused," Golen said. With rain in the forecast, Golen said Weaver has not decided what time he will have the colt do his five-furlong work. "We might go at 6 o'clock or we might go at 8:30 (the time reserved for Oaks and Derby candidates). We're going to keep an eye on the weather. We're all going to be here early and decide at 4:30 or 5 in the morning."
Golen chuckled at a question about the chilly morning at Churchill Downs Friday.
"We were in New York. He's trained in five-degree temperatures, so 37 is nothing for him," she said. "He handled the winter very well and he's a New York-bred who grew up at Phil's farm near Saratoga. This weather is not a big deal to him."
Donegal Racing's Keen Ice, galloped 1 1/2 miles after the morning renovation break with exercise rider Faustino Aguilar aboard for trainer Dale Romans. Keen Ice also is scheduled to work Saturday.
On Friday morning trainer Todd Pletcher said he would recommend not starting Madefromlucky in the Derby, which would ensure Keen Ice a spot in the field. As of 5:25 p.m. though, Madefromlucky had not officially been removed from consideration by his owners Cheyenne Stables and Mac Nichol.
In other Derby news for horses who did not breeze Friday (news for horses who worked can be found in other stories on this site):
* Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner American Pharoah galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Jorge Alvarez Friday morning at Churchill after the morning renovation break. The Pioneerof the Nile colt owned by Zayat Stables is scheduled to work Sunday morning for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
* Zayat Stables' Mr. Z jogged under exercise rider Edvin Vargas after the morning renovation break for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. It was the colt's first day back at the track following a five-furlong work in 1:01 on Wednesday.
* Mubtaahij cantered one lap under Lisa Moncrieff Friday at Arlington, a day in advance of another anticipated breeze. "They are popping at the moment, really ready to go," said assistant Trevor Brown about the Derby prospect and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) hopeful Umgiyo. "We are ready to go today if we needed to. Their prep here has been superb, they are blossoming."
* DP Racing LLC's Delta Jackpot (gr. III) winner Ocho Ocho Ocho left trainer Jim Cassidy's barn at Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles at 4:15 a.m. PDT bound for Kentucky on a H.E. Tex Sutton charter flight. He was bedded down at Barn 41 at 2:40 p.m. EDT. Ocho Ocho Ocho will test the Churchill surface for the first time Saturday at 8:30 a.m. during the Oaks and Derby training session after the renovation break. Assistant trainer Matt Williams will supervise Ocho Ocho Ocho until Cassidy arrives Monday.
* Loooch Racing Stables, Glenn Ellis, and Christopher Dunn's War Story jogged after the morning renovation break for trainer Tom Amoss. It was the colt's first day back at the track after working five furlongs in 1:02 on Wednesday.