Another Big Finish for McCraken in Final Pre-Derby Work

McCraken's affinity for the Churchill Downs surface is well documented, with three wins from as many tries at the historic venue.

In his final major preparation for what will be his most significant race beneath the Twin Spires, Janis Whitham's homebred looked every bit the house horse, turning in a strong five-furlong move in 1:00 4/5 under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. at Churchill April 30.

After having a target in his five-furlong drill April 24—one trainer Ian Wilkes said would be the colt's most serious breeze—McCraken was sent out solo for his last major work before the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).

The son of Ghostzapper   broke off smoothly and went in splits of :13, :25 1/5, :36 4/5, and :48 4/5, staying in an easy rhythm throughout with only minor cues from Hernandez. As has been his hallmark, McCraken looked most impressive in the gallop out, clocking 1:13 2/5 for six furlongs, 1:27 1/5 for seven furlongs, and 1:41 4/5 for the mile.

"Today was really good because he found his rhythm, which is what we were looking for," Hernandez said. "A horse ended up galloping past him at the seven-eighths pole and it didn't bother him. He was out there doing his own thing and just enjoying himself.

"When I wanted him to pick it up, when he knew it was time to pick it up, he picked it up. It was one of those maintenance type works that Ian was looking for and he was right on cue with it."

The Churchill surface is one most runners either love or hate, with McCraken clearly falling into the category of the former. The bay colt made his first trio of starts at the track, including a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last November.

He proved he could take his show on the road when he captured the Feb. 11 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs in his seasonal bow. Still, Wilkes said he sees a difference for the better in the way his charge moves over his home base.

"He loves it here, and you just have to enjoy him," Wilkes said. "I like what I see. He looked like he was doing it easy going down the lane. He galloped out good, I didn't want him to gallop out too far today, but he just kept wanting to go. I wanted the horse to want more, I wanted to come out of here wanting more."

McCraken's lone loss in five career starts came when he finished third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland April 8—an effort Wilkes said served its purpose in putting some fitness into the colt as well as schooling him on in-race adversity.

"He's better now than he was heading into Tampa, I have to be," Wilkes said. "I have to be a lot better than when he ran in the Sam F. Davis and I do think he's as good as I can get him right now."