Creator Turns in Final Kentucky Derby Breeze

With WinStar Farm owner Kenny Troutt looking on, Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner Creator breezed four furlongs in :50 3/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of May in his final workout for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

A 3-year-old son of Tapit   out of Morena, a multiple group winner in her native Peru before placing in five graded stakes in the U.S., Creator worked four furlongs in :50 3/5, with fractional split times of :12 2/5, :25 1/5, and :38.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said the colt, who had four second-place finishes and a fifth before breaking his maiden in his sixth start, lacked focus early on. Then he put it all together in his maiden victory, which was followed by a third in the Rebel Stakes (gr. III) before he barreled his way through traffic to win the Arkansas Derby on April 16 at Oaklawn Park.

BALAN: Creator Soars Home to Win Arkansas Derby

“He’s always had a lot of talent,” said the trainer, who has been selected for induction into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame this year. “He’s a great physical, tremendous pedigree. It’s been in him. I think that he just lacked focus in his races. It was a bit frustrating running him because you felt like he should have won several of the races you watched him in. But he would have a mental lapse and just not finish up with the effort you knew he was capable of.

“I thought he gave us indicators pre-race in Arkansas that his focus had come around at the right time. In the Arkansas Derby I thought he showed a maturity and a focus that will come in very handy for him in a Derby field.”

Asmussen said he did not change anything with Creator’s routine in order to get him more focused.

“We try to stay steady with what we do," he said. "I think when the day goes better, they know what to expect tomorrow. I do feel that the progression of Creator from a results standpoint is just how he’s finishing a race off. He was in good races with horses who have done well and you just wanted to see him put a little more effort into it and I think we’re there now. He liked the success he had (in Arkansas). I think that’s put a little different face on him as far as training.”

“Creator is one of the best horses we’ve had coming into the Derby,” said Troutt, whose farm won the Derby with Super Saver   in 2010. “He’s developed late and grown up and matured. It looks like the further he goes the better he likes it. We’re very excited about Saturday. I have to be careful about getting too high on them because in the Derby you don’t have to be the best horse to win, but get the best racing luck.”

Bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Broodmares, Creator was purchased for $440,000 from the Gainesway consignment, agent for Mt. Brilliant, to the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.