2012 Kentucky Derby: Creative Cause works five furlongs at Hollywood Park

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Creative Cause, narrowly beaten in the Santa Anita Derby in his last start, worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 at Betfair Hollywood Park on Tuesday morning, his final local drill before leaving Saturday for the Kentucky Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Mike Harrington said he plans to work Creative Cause once at Churchill Downs, ideally on Tuesday, as long as the weather cooperates.

“It depends on the weather,” Harrington said at his Hollywood Park barn. “I would prefer to breeze him, but he doesn't have to.”

Creative Cause did not wear blinkers for Tuesday’s workout and will not wear them in the Kentucky Derby, Harrington said. The Santa Anita Derby was his first race without blinkers.

“Joel,” Harrington said, referring to jockey Joel Rosario, who rides Creative Cause in his races, “said he relaxes better without them, which could be important in the Kentucky Derby.”

Former jockey John Cisneros, Harrington’s assistant trainer, was aboard for Tuesday’s work. Russell Hudak, Hollywood Park’s head clocker, had Creative Cause clicking off fractions of 12 seconds, 23.80, 35.60, and 48.20, then had Creative Cause going out six furlongs in 1:14.