Updated on 04/22/2012 1:27AM

2012 Kentucky Derby: Gemologist, El Padrino get in works for Pletcher

By Mike Welsch
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Barbara D. Livingston
Gemologist worked two days earlier than planned at Palm Meadows.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Todd Pletcher pulled an audible with his prospective Kentucky Derby starters Gemologist and El Padrino early Friday morning, making the decision to work both 3-year-olds after the renovation break at the Palm Meadows training center with the possibility of heavy rains predicted for the local area beginning later that afternoon and continuing throughout the weekend. Both Gemologist and El Padrino had been scheduled to work at Palm Meadows on Sunday.

Gemologist (five furlongs in 1:00.84): With exercise rider Hector Ramos aboard, the Wood Memorial winner was the first of Pletcher’s Derby duo to work. Gemologist broke off outside of his undefeated stablemate Overdriven, a Grade 1 winner in his own right who has been working steadily here in preparation for his 3-year-old debut.

Gemologist and Overdriven breezed along on even terms through an opening quarter in 24.87 seconds and three-eighths in 36.78. Gemologist changed leads on cue and remained in hand while beginning to gradually edge clear from his partner approaching the wire. He galloped out another eighth-mile in 13.29 to complete six furlongs in 1:14.13 before pulling up seven-eighths in 1:27.81.

[KENTUCKY DERBY WORKOUTS: Latest updates, Mike Welsch's video reports]

Gemologist was very professional in his first work since winning the Wood just 13 days earlier, doing nothing flashy or spectacular while still able to hold his talented workmate at bay without need of urging.

El Padrino (five furlongs in 1:00.48): The last-minute change in schedule brought the Risen Star winner back just five days since his previous work over the local surface on Sunday.

El Padrino was paired up with Pletcher’s horse Hudson Steele, a turf stakes winner at 3 but idle nearly a year. With regular exercise rider Isabelle Bourez aboard El Padrino, the team came away a little slower than the previous set, posting a 25.32 first quarter before picking up the pace approaching the stretch to  complete three-eighths in 36.82. El Padrino had to be urged slightly to keep up with Hudson Steele nearing the wire, finishing about a head behind but after a final quarter-mile in a sharp 23.66. The duo continued on very willingly into the turn, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.34 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:26.73.         

Although El Padrino struggled a bit at the end to keep pace with his older mate, the fact he was able to come home his final three-eighths in 35.16 and continue out strongly into and around the turn was encouraging and an improvement over his final Florida Derby work as well as his first post-race breeze here last Sunday in company with Travers winner Stay Thirsty.    

Trainer Todd Pletcher said afterward he was pleased with both works, especially “the way El Padrino got a good, strong gallop-out.”

Down the turnpike at Calder, trainer Bisnath Parboo postponed the work he had scheduled for Trinniberg on Friday morning  and along with it the decision  whether to run the Bay Shore winner in the Derby or one-mile Derby Trial one week earlier.

Rodney Dangerfield More than 1 year ago
Wow, What happened to all those people that were on the El Padrino bandwagon ?
Pete Tallerico More than 1 year ago
Mike Welsh knows nothing
Curtis V Slewster More than 1 year ago
Mike Welsch, I always pay attention to your workout reports. Always..Sometimes on the other blogs here, I take some grief for it, but I back it up after picking the winner, I usually say, "Didn't you people see what MiKe Welsch said......"....... Curt V.
Ben Williams More than 1 year ago
El Padrino is a derby horse anyone who doesnt think so is an idiot. If it rains on derby day you may see this horse as the derby winner.
William Hubbell More than 1 year ago
So Ben, anyone that does not "agree" with you is an "idiot"? Interesting!! I think I know who the real IDIOT is!
Virgin Queen More than 1 year ago
" if it rains on derby day you may see this horse as the the derby winner" if it rains on derby day u may see this girl with an *Unbrella* VQ
mace More than 1 year ago
If you like El Padrino you probably like Mark V and maybe Hero of Order,but the question is can any or all of these if they run in the Derby improve or just have a great day at the office(so to speak)or get a favorable trip.Your call.
Ray Sousa More than 1 year ago
trinniberg wont go,and thats the best decision for a talented sprinter/niler,hopefully they wont make the same mistake his sires connections made,running 17th,and ruining a very good racehorse,he seems to be getting realy good as a 3 yo,hes just not a 1 1/4 mile horse as for il padrino,hes not a derby horse period,and thats not going to change in a couple of weks nomatter how he improves.
Lauren O'Neill More than 1 year ago
Why do you say El Padrino isn't a derby horse? He's been right there with the rest of the group since day 1
Douglas More than 1 year ago
I was there for the Florida Derby . I had said in these comments after the race that JAVIER got himself into a very heated conversation from the Owner and Pletcher was at their side . It was not so much that EL PADRINO ran a very poor race . The Truth of the matter was this : JAVIER was so focused on the where-abouts of UNION RAGS / Leparoux , that Javier made sure that he kept Leparoux boxed in thru-out the first 3/4 of the race . Javier actually lost focus of the race its-self as it was unfolding right before his eyes . When they turned for home , Javier thought he would have plenty of horse power when called on . UNION RAGS out-finished EL PADRINO like it was nothing towards the finish . So the truth of the matter is : Javier got an earfull by the Owners after that crazy ride : ONLY BECAUSE OF , well - I think everyone knows by now why .
mrm More than 1 year ago
Owners always blame the rider after a loss. Nothing new there.
Douglas More than 1 year ago
EL PADRINO , Try believing in another Colt for the Derby . Do not waist much time nor enery staying focused reguarding EL PADRINO . Maybe latter this summer thing will start to look brighter . As of now , there are only afew races worth noting for EL PADRINO , the problem is : there are just too many Colts at this time that are well advanced better at this time . UNION RAGS was going By EL PADRINO reguardless how long Javier tried to hold him at bay . Javier KNOWS in his own right mind WHOM THE BEST COLT IS at this stage of the game . And Trust Me - EL PADRINO is not one of them
James P More than 1 year ago
I wouldn't toss El Padrino. He swept past the Florida Derby winner quite impressively in an earlier allowance and followed it with a gutty score in the Risen Star. Pletcher probably didn't train him that hard for the Florida Derby and he stayed on pretty well with a wide trip (and a questionable ride). I like him more than Gemologist and think he can stay the 10 panels.
Jason Howard More than 1 year ago
Gemologist was wide the entire last race and still found a way to dig in and win against a solid contender. Watch the last race again bc Gemologist is only getting better. I think the last race only proves he can handle the derby. Most horses that are 4 wide most of the race flatten out. This horse dug in and kept driving at the end. Was promising to see. Look out for Gemologist @ the derby. Can't pick them all but I did pick Animal Kingdom last year! :)
Steve Tall More than 1 year ago
El Padrino might not be that far away from them though, he is one of the few with a 100 beyer i think. Fla Derby was a big disappointment for him, but he was 2-1 in the race for a reason. Workout reports were not encouraging prior to the Fla Derby but should his works perk up for the Derby i will definitely be looking at using this horse somewhere.