2012 Kentucky Derby: Rousing Sermon works 7 furlongs at Hollywood

Rousing Sermon, who was only named a confirmed starter in the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, worked seven furlongs at Hollywood Park on Saturday in 1:27.20.

Working alone under exercise rider Marco Ramirez, Rousing Sermon galloped out a mile in 1:41, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. Assistant trainer Dan Ward timed the final quarter-mile of Rousing Sermon’s workout in 23.80 seconds. Hollywood Park clockers timed Rousing Sermon through the first half-mile in 50.80 seconds. For the final three furlongs, he was timed in 36.40 seconds.

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“He finished up really well,” Hollendorfer said. “He did it real easily and it was a real nice work.”

Owned by breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, Rousing Sermon has won 2 of 9 starts and $404,000. The winner of one stakes – the California Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita last October – Rousing Sermon was third in the $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on April 1.

Saturday’s workout was Rousing Sermon’s third since the Louisiana Derby, preceded by a half-mile on April 9 and five furlongs on April 15.

Hollendorfer said on Saturday that he has not finalized a jockey for Rousing Sermon, who may have his next workout at Churchill Downs.

“I don’t have an exact plan for that,” Hollendorfer said of Rousing Sermon’s next work venue. “But I may want to work him at Churchill Downs once.

“He travels really well. He’s not the kind of horse that gets bothered by anything. He gets on the plane and settles right in.”
Rousing Sermon will be Hollendorfer’s fifth Kentucky Derby starter, and first since Chocolate Candy finished fifth in 2009.