2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Mott breezes Resilience, Just F Y I on four days' rest

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Monday, April 22
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 38
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Monday was expected to be a relatively quiet morning at Churchill Downs. That was until the phone rang just minutes before the special Kentucky Derby-Oaks training session began at 7:30 a.m. with the news from jockey Junior Alvarado’s agent, Mike Sellitto, that his rider was on his way out to the track to breeze reigning juvenile filly champion Just F Y I and would return at 9 a.m. to work Wood Memorial winner Resilience, both for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

It was a somewhat surprising turn of events, considering Just F Y I and Resilience had breezed a slow half-mile in company here just four days earlier.

It was a clear but cold morning at Churchill Downs, with the temperature dipping into the high 30s and not making its way above 40 until well after dawn. The racetrack seemed to be playing a bit quicker throughout the 4 1/2-hour session than it had been the two previous days.

Resilience earned his way into the Derby lineup by virtue of his impressive performance in the Wood Memorial. Mott added blinkers to his equipment for the first time in that race, removed them for his easy breeze last Thursday, but had them back in place for Monday’s much more serious drill.

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Alvarado had a good hold on Resilience breaking off at the five-eighths pole after patiently waiting for several minutes to get under way due to a loose horse on the racetrack. Resilience eased into his work, completing his opening quarter in a slow 25.64 seconds and three-eighths in 37.71 before picking up the pace with no need of urging down the lane, completing five furlongs in 1:01.55 and looking as happy as can be, ears up, passing through the wire.

He then sustained excellent energy on the gallop-out, again without any prodding whatsoever, getting six panels in 1:14.50 before easing up after a full mile in 1:41.86. It was a very professional and workmanlike effort less than two weeks from Derby Day.

Just F Y I was a bit headstrong through the early stages of her breeze with Resilience last Thursday and even more so during a routine gallop here Saturday. But she was all business with Alvarado back in the irons, showing off a nice combination of speed and stamina, completing the final quarter of a lively 59.86 five-furlong clocking in 23.71 – doing so on her own – before galloping out very impressively with three-quarters in 1:12.61, up seven-eighths in 1:25.48. Alvarado told his agent afterward that in his opinion, this was her best work.

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The Derby-Oaks session also was highlighted by the first local sighting of Blue Grass winner Sierra Leone, who vanned over the previous day from Keeneland. Likely to be the second wagering choice in the Derby behind Florida Derby winner Fierceness, Sierra Leone made a very favorable impression, showing off plenty of energy with a long powerful stride that suggests the best may be yet to come when stretching out to 1 1/4 miles a week from Saturday.

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