Track Phantom Lone Derby Worker April 21

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Track Phantom Lone Derby Worker April 21
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Photo: Coady Photo
Track Phantom gallops at Churchill Downs

It was a quiet Sunday morning at Churchill Downs April 21 following a day that saw 12 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders complete published workouts.

The lone Derby contender to hit the work tab did so around 6 a.m.: L and N Racing, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom, and Breeze Easy's Track Phantom , who has been training with blinkers for Steve Asmussen since his fourth-place finish in the March 23 Louisiana Derby (G2).

In his first recorded work since April 7, Track Phantom started off his five-furlong breeze about a length behind 3-year-old stablemate Carbone . Drawing even just outside the quarter pole, the pair ran side by side down the lane until Track Phantom stuck his head in front at the wire and drew away in the gallop out.

Track Phantom was clocked in 1:00 4/5 beneath jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Joel Rosario is scheduled to ride Track Phantom in the Derby as Gaffalione will ride Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Sierra Leone .

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Several Contenders Complete Routine Gallops

The special 7:30-7:45 a.m. time frame where the track was restricted to Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders saw only a handful come out for their routine gallops.

Ribble Farms, Michael Eiserman, Earl Silver, Kenneth Fishbein, and Dave Fishbein's Honor Marie , who breezed each of the last two Sundays, bypassed breezing today in favor of performing one final pre-Derby breeze later this week.

Whit Beckman leads 2024 Kentucky Derby contender Honor Marie to the track at Churchill Downs
Photo: Sean Collins
Whit Beckman leads Honor Marie to the Churchill Downs track

Having already completed two of his planned three breezes between a runner-up finish in the Louisiana Derby and the May 4 Kentucky Derby, trainer Whit Beckman is pleased with how Honor Marie has settled in and taken to the track.

"Everything's in good shape," Beckman said. "I'm not really holding him to a schedule, just letting him dictate what he needs to be doing. He's fit, he's happy. He looks healthy—just try to keep him like that."

Beckman is keeping an eye on the weather as it is possible for more rain showers to hit Louisville, Ky. on the weekend, in which case Honor Marie could work Wednesday or Thursday, if needed.

"We'll give him a good work this week," Beckman said about plans for his final work. "We'll let him work something a little sharper, but we'll see what he looks like on the day."

Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman's Wood Memorial (G2) winner Resilience  and Godolphin's Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Encino  were also out for their routine gallops, as was George Krikorian's Oaks contender Just F Y I .

Michael McMillan's Gazelle Stakes (G3) winner Where's My Ring  is scheduled to have an official work for the Oaks next week, but breezed a quarter-mile down the stretch in :24 during her Sunday morning exercise.