Improbable Rounds Out Baffert's Kentucky Derby Works

The last of Bob Baffert's three Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders turned in his final work April 28 at Churchill Downs, leaving the Hall of Fame trainer with only the post position draw to think about.

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Starlight Racing's Improbable breezed five furlongs in 1:00 3/5, taking off behind Humana Distaff (G1)-bound Emboldened, who worked in 1:01 1/5. Florent Geroux was aboard the chestnut City Zip colt and guided him through splits of :11 4/5, :23 3/5, and :36 2/5. The pair galloped out to six furlongs in 1:13 and to seven furlongs in 1:25.60.

"I was really happy with him. I had a workmate, but I wanted the workmate to be further in front because I didn't want him to get too rank," Baffert said. "But they broke off sort of close together. He went really well. He was a little bit fresh today, a little anxious, but I love the way he leveled off. I was talking to 'Flo' on the radio there and telling him to pick it up.

"His athleticism—he's got a beautiful stride, he really moves. He loves this track. I just loved the way he kept on galloping out today. … That's what we wanted to see today. It was the last work here, so now I can relax. Now we have to wait for the draw. That's the last of the anxiety—the draw—so hopefully we get some decent spots."

Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Improbable come race day.

Improbable was undefeated in three starts during his juvenile season, with victories in the Street Sense Stakes on the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup undercard and the Dec. 8 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity (G1). This season, Long Range Toddy caught him to win by a neck in a division of the March 16 Rebel Stakes (G2), and he finished a length behind Omaha Beach in the April 13 Arkansas Derby (G1).

"He loves this track. He gets over it well," Baffert said of Improbable. "He's not really big, but he jumps a long way. … He has gears. He can just get you right there. I think Irad Ortiz is going to be happy with him."

Baffert also sent out Speedway Stable's Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster and Gary and Mary West's juvenile champion Game Winner for a jog Sunday morning. While Improbable arrived in Louisville, Ky., April 15 from Oaklawn Park, Game Winner and Roadster flew in April 27 from California and stepped into Baffert's Barn 33 shortly after 2 p.m. ET.

Roadster and Game Winner turned in their final works April 26 at Santa Anita Park. Roadster was timed for six furlongs in 1:13 4/5 and Game Winner drilled seven furlongs in 1:27 flat. Geroux will be aboard Roadster in the Derby, and Game Winner will have his regular rider, Joel Rosario.

"There's three of them there. They all have different styles," Baffert said. "There's Game Winner; he's tough. He's like the fullback. Then you've got Roadster; real light, lean, but he gets over the ground well. I'm just happy to be here with three really nice horses."

Also jogging Sunday morning was Godolphin's Flor de La Mar, Baffert's May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender. The Tiznow  filly was a five-length winner on debut Jan. 20 and was second to likely Oaks favorite Bellafina in the April 6 Santa Anita Oaks (G1). 

Flor de La Mar arrived Saturday morning with Roadster and Game Winner, a day after working five furlongs from the gate in :59 4/5, the fastest of 46 moves.

Improbable's Derby bid comes one year after the owners won with Justify , the second Triple Crown winner for Baffert. Both Speedway Stable and the Wests are searching for their first Derby victory, but Baffert—in search of his sixth Kentucky Derby win—reported all the owners are happy to have made it to the first Saturday in May.

"Once you get a horse in the Derby, they're happy. I just tell them to come in here and enjoy the experience, the Derby experience," he said. "That's the beauty about the Derby: The night before, everybody feels like they have a chance to win."