Pletcher Breezes Four Kentucky Derby Hopefuls

Trainer Todd Pletcher gave mixed reviews of his four Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) hopefuls who breezed April 28 at Churchill Downs.

The multiple Eclipse Award winner thought Always Dreaming and Tapwrit were most impressive, Patch was better than usual, and Battalion Runner struggled with the track. 

Regular rider John Velazquez was aboard Always Dreaming, who worked five furlongs in :59 3/5. The Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner especially impressed Pletcher with a gallop out of six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 and a mile in 1:40. 

The son of Bodemeister   picked up the pace throughout the work after going the first furlong in :13 and first quarter in :24 2/5 before blazing the third furlong in :11 2/5 and the next furlong in :11 4/5. He races for Brooklyn Boyz Stables, MeB Racing Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, St. Elias Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Siena Farm.

"It was a good solid work throughout, and then an exceptional gallop out," Pletcher said. "He was full of run. It was good; it was very good."

The strong move earned Always Dreaming the bullet among 35 moves at the distance. Since winning the Florida Derby April 1 at Gulfstream Park, Always Dreaming has worked three times. Besides Friday's move, he breezed five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 April 21 at Palm Beach Downs and four furlongs in :49.55 April 14 at Palm Beach Downs.

All four Pletcher workers took advantage of the time set aside for Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders on a busy Friday morning at Churchill.

Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Tapwrit and TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Patch worked together, each earning a final time of 1:00 1/5 for five furlongs. They were credited with fractions of :12 1/5, :24, :36, and six furlongs out in 1:12 4/5.

Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert LaPenta's Tapwrit won the Tampa Bay Derby in March before finishing fifth in the April 8 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Pletcher said Tapwrit may have not liked the surface at Keeneland, but was encouraged that the son of Tapit   looked more comfortable on the Churchill dirt.

"I thought it was particularly a good work for Tapwrit; he seems to be able to handle this surface better than the one at Keeneland," Pletcher said. "Jose Ortiz was aboard and never had to ask him or encourage him at any point; he galloped out strongly."

Pletcher said based on his usual performance in the mornings, Calumet Farm's Patch worked well Friday.

"He needed a little bit of encouragement, but that's very typical of the way he works," Pletcher said. "He's kind of an idle work horse. I thought for him, it was a better work than what we've come to expect. I was particularly pleased with the way he came back from the gallop out; he galloped out strong."

Pletcher was not as encouraged by the move of Wood Memorial Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G2) runner-up Battalion Runner, who completed four furlongs in :48 2/5. Running inside of Made You Look (also credited with :48 2/5), the two-time graded stakes winner on turf out-worked Battalion Runner, which Pletcher attributed to the latter not liking the surface.

"I thought he worked OK, but I thought he was wrestling with the racetrack a little bit. It seems like it cupped out from him a few times," Pletcher said, adding that he'll talk things over with owner Vincent Viola. While not pleased with the work, Pletcher did note that the Churchill surface can change.

"One thing we've learned here is that sometimes the track in the week leading up to the Derby is not the one you see on race day," Pletcher said. 

Pletcher sounded like he was leaning toward not entering Sumaya U.S. Stable's Malagacy in the Derby. After a tentative plan to breeze the Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Friday, Pletcher instead opted to gallop the son of Shackleford  . 

Pletcher said he would talk with owner Oussama Aboughazale. If they decide to move forward with Derby plans, Malagacy will breeze at Churchill April 29. If they choose to skip the Louisville classic, Pletcher said the colt could be put on a schedule aimed at a start in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1).

Velazquez will ride Always Dreaming and Tapwrit will have Jose Ortiz in the irons. Riders have not been determined for Pletcher's other Derby hopefuls.