'Still Improving' Plus Que Parfait Turns in Derby Work

Imperial Racing's Plus Que Parfait tuned up for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with a five-furlong move April 27 at Churchill Downs, one week out from the first leg of the Triple Crown. It was the second work for the Point of Entry  ridgling since returning from his UAE Derby Sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) victory in Dubai.

Saturday's work was "exactly what we wanted," trainer Brendan Walsh said. Plus Que Parfait worked in company with Altaweel and was timed in 1:02, ranking 28th of 43 at the distance. Altaweel went in 1:02 1/5. Plus Que Parfait drilled through fractions of :12, :23 3/5, :36 1/5, and :49 2/5 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:15 3/5, hitting the time that Walsh had hoped for.

"He doesn't need to do anything spectacular having shipped back from Dubai and everything," Walsh said, "but he seems on great terms with himself. We're happy with what he's doing and looking forward to next Saturday."

Last week's work was not registered due to heavy fog creating little visibility at Churchill Downs. Walsh had him timed for a half-mile in :49 2/5.

After defeating eventual Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull Stakes (G2) upset winner Harvey Wallbanger by a nose in a maiden special weight at Keeneland Oct. 7, Plus Que Parfait wrapped up his juvenile season when second by a neck to Signalman in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs. He began his sophomore campaign at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, first finishing fifth in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) Jan. 19 as the second choice and stumbling at the start, then running 13th in the Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) Feb. 16.

Plus Que Parfait needed a big performance to make the Kentucky Derby May 4, and he pulled through when he wove through traffic to win the UAE Derby March 30. His victory of three-quarters of a length over Gray Magician awarded him 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, essentially guaranteeing him a spot in the starting gate.

"I think he was back to the horse that we thought he was originally," Walsh said. "A lot of people wrote him off after the Risen Star, which lots of horses have a bad run every now and then. But he showed that he's back to his best, and I think the horse might still be improving, which would be nice."

Plus Que Parfait arrived back at Walsh's Churchill Downs base April 11 after spending more than a week in Europe. Walsh said the Derby contender appears to have handled the travel well. 

"I don't think we'll really know until next week when he runs, because I think having seen horses in the past, they give you every impression that they've handled it well and then come race day they either do it or they don't," he said. "But what we've seen all the time, he's doing great, he's eating, his mind is very good, he's working great.

"Everything's been great. I couldn't be happier with him. He's given us every indication that he's in top form."