04/29/2012 11:41AM

Kentucky Derby 2012: Bodemeister looks just as good as Union Rags did a day earlier

By Jay Privman
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Barbara D. Livingston
Bodemeister (left) begins to close ground on stablemate Jemima's Pearl, a Kentucky Oaks contender, during Sunday's workout at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – One day after Union Rags turned in a sharp workout at Churchill Downs, the other potential favorite for the 138th Kentucky Derby next Saturday, Bodemeister, threw down the gauntlet with a brilliant piece of work over a muddy surface.

Bodemeister worked five furlongs in 59.48 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form, then continued boldly on the gallop out for another three furlongs and completed one lap around the track in 1:40.26. The track was rated muddy, after a fierce storm Saturday night, but it had a very firm bottom.

Jockey Martin Garcia was aboard for the drill, but Mike Smith has the mount in the Derby.

Bodemeister will be coming back on three weeks’ rest following his dominating victory in the Arkansas Derby, but his trainer, Bob Baffert, said he has not “seen any regression.”

“So far, so good,” Baffert said.

Baffert said Bodemeister worked similarly to last week, “but I shut him down earlier last week.”

“I let him do a little more today,” Baffert said.

Bodemeister was one of two Derby aspirants to work here on Sunday. The other was Optimizer, who was timed in 1:00.47 for five furlongs with jockey Jon Court. As of Sunday, Optimizer was on the bubble for the Derby, essentially 21st on the earnings list for a race in which 20 runners is the maximum.

The California contingent of Creative Cause, I’ll Have Another, and Rousing Sermon had their first morning on the local track after arriving here Saturday. Creative Cause had his training session delayed in order to have his right hind shoe re-shod. It came off during the flight on Saturday, trainer Mike Harrington said.

“It came clean off,” Harrington said. “We had to put binding material on.”

Farriers Zane Baze and Steve Norman did the work.

Once shod, Creative Cause jogged seven furlongs, then galloped 1 1/4 miles, under John Cisneros, a former jockey who is Harrington’s assistant trainer.

Harrington said Creative Cause likely would have his final Derby workout on Monday. He originally had scheduled it for Tuesday, but, as of Sunday, Harrington thought the weather for Monday looked more hospitable.

Daddy Nose Best, Liaison, Mark Valeski, Sabercat, and Trinniberg are also scheduled to work here on Monday.

Done Talking, the Illinois Derby winner, was scheduled to arrive here Sunday afternoon following a van ride from Laurel, where he had his final Derby work on Saturday.

At Palm Meadows in Florida, Todd Pletcher’s duo of El Padrino and Gemologist both went a half-mile on Sunday, with Gemologist going in 50.49 seconds, and El Padrino in a pokey 53.34 seconds, over a track rated muddy.

And at Monmouth Park on Sunday, My Adonis, who is also on the outside looking in and is behind Optimizer on the graded earnings list, worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 on a track rated fast.

-- additional reporting by David Grening and Mike Welsch

 

 

 

Eric Singer More than 1 year ago
gamblers like to tout strong opinions but anyone who is writing on this race and expressing certainty is a blow hard. this race is wide open - as easily as Union Rags or Bodemeister could win at 9-2, you have a range of horses who will be 7-1 through 20-1 who could get it done. pay attention to the post draw, check the weather, track condition and watch the lead up races. all these factors will help us know if we are looking for a speed, press horse, a tracker, a rater or a closer. and yes the time of 1st 1/2 will be super important as well. what excites me most is that I can make an easy case for a # of these - Union Rags is a specimen is working well and should get pace to chase, Bode has by far the best figs and seems to be improving each race, Daddy Nose Best has 2 wins at a 1 mile and a 1/8th, Gemologist is undefeated, I'll Have Another looked great in his last start, Alpha had trouble in his last and could move forward, Hansen ran a better than looked race at Keeneland has shown he can sit off a little and has a win on this track, Dullahan motored home in his last but pulled up a few feet after the wire and has not done much on this strip, Went the Day Well - one has to fear the connections and the path they choose, Creative Cause can get the trip but does he want to do more than nibble? Very exciting stuff. Keep breathing and studying! Bon chance!
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
well stated, it's about trying to find value when all the circumstances that can be measured are measured; after that, in this type of race, you just hope your choice can work out a decent trip. I love the Derby because of all the races leading up to it; imo, it's the prep races where one can do very well and find excellent betting value. The way to play the derby, imo, is to go for one of the exotic possibilities, be it tri or super or even exacta. The payoffs are always very generous and one can spread the love, if you will. There is very little value in playing to win in this particular race.
Douglas Rutherford More than 1 year ago
Anyone that thinks the colt Hansen isnt going straight to the front , will be in for a shock . Trinniberg will try his hardest to keep up with the pace , but the instructions that Dr Hansen will give to the jock will be - I want Hansen in the spot-light - right on the lead . Dr Hansen reall believes the Juvenile race was no fluke . I am not saying at this time that Hansen will win , but I am saying BODEMEISTER should not get past Hansen at any stage of the race . The post potion draw ill be a key factor ! I hope they draw 7 and 8
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
bodemeister and trinniberg are both so much faster than hansen that hansen would have to go all out just to keep up. Trinniberg will go 22.2 45.4 and will do in Bodemeister by doing so. Hansen will be seating 3rd or 4th.. IMO
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
You know what bugs me - the censors of this space. You should join the DHS, man. Ever heard of free speech? Or let it ride? The DRF is part of horseracing's problem. Censorship. Censorship. Censorship. Pathetic.
David Robinson More than 1 year ago
all these comments and i never see the most obvious reason why bode will win. not only is he he best horse, but what makes everyone think he wont rate? he is a push button horse and appears to me to be the kind that will have no problem laying third or fourth behind the other cheap speeds and overated runners such as hansen, gemologist, and take charge indy. everyone just assumes because he is a baffert trained ca. horse, he must be a need to lead type. that does not have to be. the reason he has went right to the front in his recent races is because A. no one else wanted it that badly, and B. if you lay over the field, the best place to be is in front. less likely to encountrer trouble that way and lose a race where you are the best horse but get a poor trip. that is what baffles me about some of these so called top notch jockeys. they would rather take a horse back, keep him wide and lose ground and have the chance of getting in traffic, then just send a horse to the froint and let him run his race. how many times have you seen a short priced horse lose a race in a small field because somehow they got in troublle. it is a simple case of trying to over be overly cautious and/ or confident. just let him run his race, and let the chips fall where they will.
Ian GW More than 1 year ago
I agree with alot of what you say. But how do you know he can rate? He never ran at 2? He has one style press or to the front. Where have you seen him rate?
Jim More than 1 year ago
YES! Remember to bet Bode BIG, and often. Tell all ur friends too bet Big too!! He is "push button" horse, as fast as a racecar (validated by highest Beyer) He doesn't need the lead, and will rate? (even though he has LOST every race he wasn't in lead) U think they talking to Bode everyday about cheap speed? Or do u think soon as those gates open, Bode gonna gun for lead? He his a speed horse! If they hold him back. he's toast, and when he's in speed battle, he's toast by the turn. Just ridiculous for everyone to be saying "Bode's the BEST horse, BUT" A speed horse with ONE stakes win whole career against sub par competition, in a "need to win race" is funny. He is a "good" horse, but lets hold off on "The Best" But hey, what fun would this be if everyone liked same horse?? I'd make no money on Saturday....
Justin More than 1 year ago
Bode is the most talented of this years 3 year olds. Those races he lost... beaten in his maiden 2 lengths by American Act who came back to finish in front of Creative Cause and behind Drill in the San Vicente and also just won a minor stakes at betfair, a testimony to him being a decent horse. And he lost to Creative Cause by a length in the san felipe, his 3rd lifetime and 1st time against winners in a race in which Bode and AA set fast fractions and CC got the perfect trip (as usual) and barely won. (NOTE: Bode finished 20 lengths in front of American Act after setting fast fractions.) Yes the horse has speed but its natural cruising speed not need the lead speed. Did u see how easily he romped in the Arkansas Derby??? it was the most visually impressive prep and not because he won by 9 lenghts it was because of the ease with which he did it. Smith was standin still until the stretch and when he pulled the whip out Bode was gone! And it looked effortless! Trinniberg and Hansen r the fastest horses and will duel it out up front while Bode lays off the pace and runs'em down in the stretch!!!
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Thi crop is overrated, just as the breeder's cup juvenille is being ballyhooed because the same runners have confirmed their form. The problem is, it's the same form. Nobody has stepped forward. I understand that with fewer starts and the intentions of the trainers to peak in May that we have not seen their best yet, but I am still skeptical of this bunch, particulalry at this distance. I will be very curious to see how the pace plays out. The 30% chance of showers is a looming threat, as well, which will make this race a veritable crapshoot, if it wasn't already. The connections of Bode and Whitey must know that if they challenge Trinniberg they will lose without any doubt. Because of that, and everyone's belief that Trinniberg can't win no matter the circumstances, I expect Trinniberg to set a moderate pace, nevermind the openning quarter, which will likely shade 23, I see 47 and change, 1:11 and change (maybe even 1:12). Therefore, I would not exclude horses who will be pressing (slightly) the pace. I would stay away from anything coming from too far back. The winner will have to be handy. He must be training forwardly. Mark my words. Moderate pace. The jockeys can read a racing form. If they have the flesh that can be rated, they won't be foolish, and both bode and whitey have sat off front-runners in the past. I don't see a speed duel developing. If Trinniberg can't win no matter what (as many pundits have stated), why would any of the jockeys challenge him? No, they will let him set whatever pace he wants to, after a sub 23 openning quarter (meaningless) to gain command, and I suspect Trinniberg will be rated soon thereafter in the fractions previously stated. Book that scenerio, because it is the most likely. And if you are one of the few, very few, who think Trinniberg can get the distance on a lone lead with moderate fractions, bet him, and bet him hard.
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
If trinniberg doesn't finish atleast 15th beaten atleast 20 lengths I will never bet again. He should be 1000/1. Don't listen to the gyp connections talk about not going to the lead either because that is BULL
Elizabeth More than 1 year ago
You have good points, but please don't discount all the other nice and very capable closers in this race. In all my life of working with racehorses and following racing, I can honestly say I've never seen such an evenly matched group of houses, and a large group at that.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
I totally agree, evenly matched they are - excellent point.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
I will add, that if it does rain, it will be imperative to know whether the track was sealed. A sealed, wet, sloppy track is favorable to front-runners. If it wasn't sealed, and then it showers late in the program, the late-speeds come into play. I think that's a fair assessment? Pay attention, in any case, to how the track is playing in the prior races. And be willing to alter selections if circumstances dictate.
Justin More than 1 year ago
thanks for the insight into the sealed track.
randy boley More than 1 year ago
finally some-one with a little horse sence......I was standing at the finish line when bode won in arkansas. he did so under a hand ride and very slight coaxing. U haven't seen the best of this horse yet...........he beat me then, but he won't on saturday...I'll be on him like a hen on a june bug............
Michael Miner More than 1 year ago
Creative Cause is my pick, narrowly over Daddy Nose Best. CC is sitting on a top effort and DNB is a stout closer who will be running down horses in the stretch.
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
You're not concerned with CC habits of getting very worked up and being a bad actor infront of big crowds? Also his latest work was average at best, and i also believe there is more to the story of his shoe being ripped off. I think he is a very talented runner who may not be best suited to win at 1 1/4 infront of 100k people when it is supposed to be 90 DEGREES!!!
Mr 6 More than 1 year ago
bode gone loose gemoligist gone loose and union gone loose for sure.Last year I had Animal Kingdom
JAHMAN More than 1 year ago
What happens if Bode gets easy half mile in :48
sk More than 1 year ago
There are other speed horses not sure he will get easy :48 . I have still huge doubt even though Bode looked splendid in AKD derby win.
Greg Stevens More than 1 year ago
If he is in front of hansen, that means hansen is running backwards..hansen is the fastest horse in the field....that being said I love WENT THE DAY WELL to run them down in the lane at a big price
JAHMAN More than 1 year ago
Loving Alpha aid Rajiv to stun everyone including shirk Muhammad in Dubai
JAHMAN More than 1 year ago
Hate auto correct sheik
David Robinson More than 1 year ago
lolol you think hansen is faster then bode? if this race were at 5 furlongs hansen would not be within 3 lengths of bode at any call of the race. and at 1 1/4 he wontr be within 15 lengths of him at the wire.
Rufus More than 1 year ago
Re-learn the lesson of the ages! Speed upon speed kills! I doubt that Bodemeister, Alpha, Gemologist, Trinniberg, and Hansen will be anywhere close to the first 3 horses at the finish line. Young, limited experienced horses with speed, trying to do something that every single horse in the race has never, ever done before - run a mile and a quarter, and do it faster than the others in the race. Here's a vote that says NONE of them will be around at the finish.
Jim More than 1 year ago
U right!
James P More than 1 year ago
I think Hansen is headstrong and will have more early foot than Bode. Bode's best bet is to sit a few lengths back and rate kindly (if he can) because Hansen is questionable to get 10 furlongs. If Bode is the first to get to Hansen at the top of the line, he'll have a great shot.
Nicholas Heaven More than 1 year ago
no buddy hansen will not be the fastest horse in the field neither is bode. triniberg will be the fastest horse in the field
Elizabeth More than 1 year ago
Thank you, Nicholas. Everyone seems to be forgetting the monster sprinter that will be in the race. I think the owner is nuts to run him here and am worried he's going to ruin a really nice horse. We must remember that Trinniberg ran a sub-21 quarter in the BCJuvenile Sprint while battling Secret Circle last fall. I don're think there's anyway he wins, but his presence in the race changes the whole pace scenario. 'Course he could pull a Winning Colors Type of race when the other Jocks let her have an easy lead cause they thought she's come back to them. Wouldn't that be funny?
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
I disagree about Trinni changing the whole pace scenario if you mean making it harder for Bode. I think his entry helps Bode because the race was missing the typical derby weak speed to set the pace in front of the real race. Typically in the KD, there will be one or two horses 3-5 lengths in front of the pack as if there are two races. The winner comes overwhelmingly from the 3-4 horses at the front of the pack at 2nd call. The best spot in the race is where Barbaro sat in 2006. I see Trinni on the front by 3-5 maybe joined by an antsy Hansen. Bode will be on the front of the trailing pack, clicking off .12's, not really even taking dirt and getting first run. If he runs on from 1:36 and drops two more 12's, the race is over and all the closers have learned the lesson of dirt racing-no matter what distance, the winner overwhelmingly comes from horses within 2 lengths at the first call...1st run, clear path, saved ground, the most powerful combination. Closers need too many things to happen and have a weaker strike rate. I like UR as the best closer but you can't take less than 9-1 on a closer in a field this big, even if you thought he was much the best.
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
Faster than trinniberg who runs sub 22 first quarters sprinting?? Bodemeister is also faster than hansen.
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
not going to happen with trinniberg but if so SEE YA
Chuck Seddio More than 1 year ago
love all the hype on bellamy road er bodemeister my bad. bobe has no shot winner will come from last juvie,im liking dullahan,4th in a troubled trip and rags coming into derby reminiscent of barbaro
Nicholas Briglia More than 1 year ago
Seems like Creative Cause isn't coming into this as well as he could. Interested to see his work tomorrow. Maybe he'll prove me wrong.
Mooch J More than 1 year ago
I like Optimizer as a "live' longshot closer. If he doesn't get into the Derby he will have to run somewhere (under card?) as he will be too cranked up to wait for the preakness, so I expect him to run good whenever his next race is