McCraken Makes It Look Easy in Four-Furlong Move

All Ian Wilkes had to do the morning of April 2 to see how much life changes when an unbeaten classic contender is in one's care was turn his head.

Standing amongst the throngs of onlookers at Keeneland waiting for Wilkes' charge, McCraken, to emerge for his four-furlong breeze were representatives of Spendthrift Farm, Adena Springs, Three Chimneys Farm, and Darley—all of them fully fixated on the bay son of Ghostzapper   who was absolutely feeling himself on the cool, brisk morning.

With training the top contender for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) comes the reality that even routine activities draw the most intense attention. It's something Wilkes keeps reminding himself to enjoy, mindful of the fact that such scrutiny at this stage is a privilege far more than a burden.

"He brings it. He's got the talent and he brings it," Wilkes said. "It's not me, it's not (jockey) Brian (Hernandez Jr.), it's the horse. Without the horse, both of us wouldn't be here."

Nothing has kept Wilkes' spirits up like McCraken himself, and such was the case again Sunday morning. With Hernandez in the irons after making the 10-hour drive from New Orleans, the multiple stakes winner soared through his final move in preparation for the April 8 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2), covering a half-mile in :49 2/5 at Keeneland.

McCraken has becoming increasingly professional in his morning duties, clicking off fractions with deceptive ease. After posting splits of :12 3/5, :25, and :37, he galloped out in 1:01 1/5 under his own power and returned to the barn with enough energy that Wilkes' right shoulder about came out of its socket trying to lead Janis Whitham's homebred back to his stall.

"He's right on cue it seems like," said Hernandez, who drove through the night after piloting Girvin to victory in Saturday's Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2). "Like I was telling Ian, he goes out there and works and you never really feel him accelerate. I wear a watch when I work him and you look down and it's perfect 12s. He gets to the wire and he got faster today. It's amazing how good he's doing really."

Where McCraken had enough energy for everyone Sunday, Hernandez had his own well of adrenaline with which to power himself. One year after riding in his first Kentucky Derby, the Louisiana native is now in the bittersweet spot of being the regular rider for two leading contenders for the first Saturday in May with Girvin adding the Louisiana Derby to a resume that also includes a triumph in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). 

Hernandez won't have to make his decision between Girvin and McCraken until after the latter's Blue Grass run—not that he expects his brethren to weep for him over his looming choice. Having been on both colts in the last 24 hours, Hernandez said each of his mounts are athletic enough that they routinely make life easy for him.

"It's the spot every rider dreams of being in," Hernandez said. "These two horses are very similar because they are very athletic and they both go out and do their jobs very professionally and they both put themselves in positions where they want to win. 

"It's hard to say because you are talking about two horses where between the two of them, there has only been one loss. That's pretty impressive. And the best thing is they both run for people that we're really good friends with on both teams so it's a lot of fun."

McCraken has yet to place a foot wrong, winning each of his four career starts. After capping his juvenile campaign with a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last Nov. 26, he opened his 3-year-old season by breaking the track record for 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs when he captured the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) by 1 1/2 lengths Feb. 11.

Though a slight ankle injury prevented McCraken from starting in the March 11 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2), he has continued to be flattered with Sam F. Davis runner-up Tapwrit going on to win the Tampa Bay Derby and State of Honor—third in the Davis—running second in Saturday's Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1).

"At the time (of the ankle injury), maybe I didn't understand it, I didn't like it missing (a race)," Wilkes said. "But looking at the horse, I feel like he has gotten bigger and stronger now. Maybe it was a blessing. Things happen for a reason. We'll find out in the long run, but his attitude is great. He's a happy horse.

"He's loving it here. He's like me, he's having a good time."