Emerging Market, So Happy, Wonder Dean Post Derby Works

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Emerging Market, So Happy, Wonder Dean Post Derby Works
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Photo: Coady Media/Renee Torbit
Emerging Market (outside) breezes in company at Churchill Downs

Eight days out from the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, four horses logged their final breezes in preparation for the May 2 race, led by Emerging Market  and So Happy . 

Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Emerging Market, a Candy Ride   colt trained by Chad Brown, went a half-mile in :47 3/5 outside stablemate Hedge Book . He posted fractions of :12 and :24, and had a strong gallop out in 1:00 1/5 under his Derby jockey, Flavien Prat. 

"He did it well within himself; he galloped out with good energy," Brown said. "He came back happy, so I'm happy. This horse has always gone faster than you think he is. He does everything easy."

Owned by Klaravich Stables, Emerging Market will be making just his third career start in the Kentucky Derby. 

So Happy, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), breezed 5 furlongs under encouragement from jockey Mike Smith in 1:00 1/5, with fractions of :12 3/5, :23 2/5, :35 3/5, and with a gallop out timed in 1:14 1/5. Trained by Mark Glatt, So Happy was also the winner of the San Vicente Stakes (G2), and was third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). As usual, he breezed in blinkers, though he will not wear them in the Derby.

"We thought he worked really well. He's the type of horse that just kind of goes through the motions in the morning. Often times we'll give him a little bit of company; we decided not to do that today. But he got over the track well, galloped out stronger than he usually does," Glatt said. "He only does what he has to do. We work him in blinkers to keep his focus but he doesn't run in them. He's got an off and on switch from the morning to the afternoon. He turns it on in the afternoon."

The Runhappy  colt, owned by Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners, will be Glatt's first Kentucky Derby starter. 

Wonder Dean asked for a fast finish 

Wonder Dean - Work - Churchill Downs - 042426
Photo: Coady Media/Renee Torbit
Wonder Dean breezes at Churchill Downs

Also breezing April 24 at Churchill Downs was the Japanese-trained Wonder Dean , who went 6 furlongs in 1:17 4/5 after an easy half-mile in :54 2/5. Asked to quicken down the lane, he continued with an additional furlong on the gallop out to complete 7 furlongs in 1:31 under exercise rider Takuya Nakano.

The UAE Derby winner (G2), trained by Daisuke Takayanagi for owner Yoshinari Yamamoto, will be making his first start in the United States.

He shipped to Churchill Downs April 1. Friday's move marked his first breeze over the Churchill Downs surface.

"He felt similar today as he did during his breeze a week out from the UAE Derby," Nakano said. "He felt really great. This gives me a lot of confidence that he will be able to perform his best on Derby Day."


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Golden Tempo puts in a Work at Keeneland

Away from Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo  posted his final breeze Friday over a fast track at Keeneland, where trainer Cherie DeVaux keeps her principal division of horses.

Working inside of grade 2 turf winner Brilliant Berti , Golden Tempo clocked the half-mile in :47 2/5, head and head with his stablemate to the wire. 

"This was just a maintenance work, and Brilliant Berti is a pretty good workhorse. We didn't want him (Golden Tempo) doing too much in the work and the gallop out," DeVaux said. "We have had great luck with our stable prepping here, then going over to Churchill Downs."

"He has matured both physically and mentally a lot," DeVaux said. "By design, we let him have the four weeks in between races and then we had six weeks (at Keeneland), so that we could do a little bit more with him. He was always a heavier horse and took a while for him to really shape up physically, and we're there now. He has really improved in that respect."

A homebred for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, Golden Tempo will leave Keeneland April 25 and arrive at Churchill Downs ahead of the 11 a.m. ET deadline for all Derby horses to be on-site. 

Scheduled to work Saturday at Churchill Downs are the Brad Cox-trained trio of Commandment , Fulleffort , and Further Ado ; the Riley Mott-trained duo of Albus  and Incredibolt ; Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) runner-up Right to Party  for trainer Kenny McPeek; and the Steve Asmussen-trained Chip Honcho . 


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Fillies post final breezes for Oaks

Besides these workouts posted by the Kentucky Derby runners, a half dozen 3-year-old fillies recorded workouts Friday at Churchill Downs ahead of the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Prom Queen , Meaning , and Brooklyn Blonde  recorded 5-furlong breezes ahead of the 1 1/8-mile Oaks, respectively timed in :59 4/5, 1:00, and 1:01.

Bella Ballerina , Paradise , and Always a Runner  went a furlong shorter, clocking half-miles in :47 2/5, :47 3/5, and :48 2/5, respectively.

Pashmina  may work Saturday for the Oaks for trainer Rob Atras.