Kentucky Derby workouts: Archarcharch breezes three furlongs in slop

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tuesday morning was wet, cold, and unusually quiet at Churchill Downs, considering the Kentucky Derby is now only four days away.

Although overshadowed by the announcement near the end of training hours that Toby’s Corner had been declared from the race, the weather remained a major story around the area. Rain, heavy at times, was pelting the racetrack again throughout the morning, with the temperature dipping into the upper 40s by the time training began at 5:45 a.m. Only one prospective Derby candidate, Archarcharch, worked over the sloppy strip, with less than half of the expected 20-horse field for this year’s Derby even visiting the racetrack during the course of the morning

Archarcharch (three furlongs in 38.60 seconds) – This one pretty much caught everybody off guard as nobody seemed to expect trainer Jinks Fires to send the Arkansas Derby winner out to breeze just four days after turning in a bullet five-furlong drill here Friday. But a closer examination of his form shows that Archarcharch regularly works four days out prior to his races, having done so before both the Rebel and Arkansas Derby earlier this season.

KENTUCKY DERBY WORKOUTS: Watch Mike Welsch's previous clocker report videos

Archarcharch, with jockey Jon Court aboard, and his regular workmate Supreme Ruler actually took time out to visit the paddock before returning to the racetrack and galloping easily around to the backstretch following the renovation break. The pair joined up nearing the far turn and then broke off in tandem from the three-furlong pole. Going easily and well in hand, Archarcharch and Supreme Ruler posted early splits of 12.80 seconds and 25.56 while remaining under tight rein, with Archarcharch reaching the wire about a half-length in front. Both galloped out willingly around the bend, with Supreme Ruler actually forging to the front by the time the stablemates reached the seven-eighths marker. Archarcharch pulled up a half-mile in 51.72.

As noted for the past several days, Archarcharch continues to improve on a daily basis, and he showed no signs of losing any of that sharpness from the looks of this morning’s impromptu, or perhaps not so impromptu, blow out.

Archarcharch was one of only a handful of Derby horses out on the track during the usually hectic Derby/Oaks training session. He was joined by Soldat, Mucho Macho Man, Pants On Fire, and Shackleford.

Soldat looked as happy as can be splashing over the wet surface for the second straight morning. Shackleford has been aggressive in his gallops for more than a week, while Mucho Macho Man looked as good as I’ve seen him over the past week, especially at the tail end of his regularly rigorous training routine.

Kathmanblu had another good morning and certainly looked like a filly who would not mind a wet track on Kentucky Oaks Day. She cruised around at quicker than two-minute clip for the better part of her gallop. Summer Soiree and Joyful Victory also appear to be maintaining their good form, just 72 hours removed from the Oaks.

Kentucky Derby activity report
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Animal Kingdom – galloped early at CD.

Archarcharch – breezed an easy 3 fur. in :38.60 during 8:30 break at CD.

Brilliant Speed – walked shed row at CD after breezing 5 fur. Mon.

Comma to the Top – scheduled to arrive Tues. at CD after early flight from Calif.

Decisive Moment – walked under tack.

Derby Kitten – shipped to CD in late morning after training at Trackside.

Dialed In – jogged, galloped early at CD.

Master of Hounds – arrived from Ireland at 9:45 a.m. Tues. at CD.

Midnight Interlude – walked shed row at CD after breezing 5 fur. Mon., will school in paddock Tues.

Mucho Macho Man – galloped during 8:30 break at CD.

Nehro – walked shed row at CD after breezing 4 fur. Mon.

Pants On Fire – galloped during 8:30 break at CD.

Santiva – walked shed row at CD after breezing 4 fur. Mon.

Shackleford – galloped during 8:30 break at CD.

Soldat – galloped during 8:30 break

Stay Thirsty – walked shed row at CD.

Twice the Appeal – jogged early at CD.

Twinspired – shipped to CD in late morning after training at Trackside.

Uncle Mo – walked shed row at CD.

Watch Me Go – walked shed row at CD after breezing 5 fur. Mon.