Fog Impacts Classic Contenders at Churchill Downs

After the rain moved out of the Louisville, Ky., area around 6 p.m. April 20, a dense fog rose on Churchill Downs early Easter Sunday morning and made many trainers, once again, alter their work patterns for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders.

The fog did not change the work pattern for UAE Derby Sponsored By Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) winner Plus Que Parfait, who breezed a half-mile over the track labeled good under trainer Brendan Walsh's assistant and exercise rider Tom Malloy. The work did not receive an official time due to the fog hindering the view of the clockers.

"It was a shame about the fog," Walsh said. "I had one of my assistants on the phone at the half-mile pole to warn me on the front side, and I had him in :49 2/5. It was exactly what I wanted."

Phoenix Thoroughbreds and KatieRich Stables' Kentucky Oaks contender Lady Apple also breezed a half-mile for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

"She looked good from the pony, but we really couldn't see much," assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. The Fantasy Stakes (G3) winner also did not receive an official time.

Keeneland faired better Sunday morning, and trainer Rodolphe Brisset sent out Oaks contender Positive Spirit for a four-furlong drill in which she stopped the clock in a bullet :47 1/5 to be the fastest of 33 over the fast track. The Pioneerof the Nile filly finished second in her most recent effort in the April 6 Gazelle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. With only 14 starting spots, Positive Spirit is ranked 13th on the Oaks leaderboard.

Live Oak Plantation's Derby contender Win Win Win had his first timed work since his runner-up finish in the April 6 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes (G2). The son of Hat Trick completed five furlongs in 1:01 flat on the all-weather surface at Fair Hill Training Center for trainer Michael Trombetta.

Many classic contenders at Churchill Downs galloped Sunday morning, with trainers waiting for Monday to bring better conditions. 

Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards galloped about 1 1/2 miles at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Simon Camacho aboard

"I keep changing it up, but the plan is to work him Monday," trainer Bret Calhoun said. "I was trying to dodge the weather to get a fast track. Then I had planned on flying to Ocala (Fla.) for the OBS sale, and my flight plans got altered. Now we'll be able to plan on working Monday."  

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's duo of Arkansas Derby (G1) third-place finisher Country House and Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2) winner Tacitus both galloped about 1 1/2 miles during the Derby and Oaks training session. 

Tacitus is scheduled to breeze at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

With the weather and track conditions improving, WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Starlight Racing's Improbable also went out for a gallop under exercise rider Jose Contreras.

"We galloped today, a mile and a half. He went very nice," said Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert. "The track was in excellent shape—we had a lot of rain yesterday. We're just waiting for Bob to give us further instructions."

It was a busy morning at Barn 28 for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella as his Derby hope Omaha Beach returned to the track. But before he did, he was fitted with new shoes from blacksmith Ben Craft, who flew into Louisville from Southern California. 

"He cracked his quarter when he broke his maiden at Santa Anita at least two months ago," Mandella said. "We patched that, and since then, he's won the Rebel and Arkansas Derby. It's now a little over two months' old and was due to be replaced today. So I brought in my blacksmith, Ben Craft, from California to reset it today and put new shoes on. Now we're ready to go."

Omaha Beach galloped about 1 3/8 miles with exercise rider Taylor Cambra aboard at 9:40 a.m. 

"I'm a little excited, nervous, you name it," Mandella said. "I'm just glad to be here in Louisville."

When the track reopened after a harrow break, Joel Politi's Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) winner Serengeti Empress was in the group with exercise rider Francisco Herrera. 

"She galloped a mile and a half, and she's going to do the same thing tomorrow," said trainer Tom Amoss. "Our plan, weather permitting, is to work Tuesday."

Amoss hasn't decided whether Serengeti Empress, who bled in her previous start and is eighth on the Oaks leaderboard, will be entered in the May 3 test.  

Among Oaks contenders scheduled to breeze Monday at Churchill Downs are Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) victor Street Band and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Champagne Anyone.

The National Weather Service calls for temperatures in the low 50s and clear skies Monday morning for the Louisville area, with highs progressing into the 70s later in the day.