Adventist ready if he gets Kentucky Derby call

ELMONT, N.Y. – Adventist, who still remains on the outside looking in as far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned, worked five furlongs in 1:02.37 on Thursday over the Belmont Park training track.

Adventist, third in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial, sits 22nd on the Kentucky Derby points list and would need two defections between now and Wednesday – entry day – to get into the Derby field, which is limited to 20 starters. He could be entered as an also-eligible but would need sufficient scratches by 9 a.m. Friday to get into the race.

Jeff Treadway, the owner of Adventist, said Thursday that he would not enter the horse as an also-eligible.

“If we get two defections in the next couple of days, we’d still love to run in the race,” Treadway said. “This is a weird year where 32 points does not get you in. Everybody has intentions of running, and we haven’t come up with any issues yet.”

Treadway said he would like to know by Monday if Adventist could get into the race so the horse could ship on Tuesday. Otherwise, the horse will make his next start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14 as a prelude to the Belmont Stakes.

“This horse wants to go a distance, and I think the Belmont will suit us,” Treadway said.

In Thursday’s work, Adventist breezed in company with River of Dreams. He started about a length or 1 1/2 lengths behind, drew on even terms after three furlongs in 38.12 seconds, and got his last quarter in 24.25 while being urged by exercise rider Eduardo Azocar. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.97.

“What we did was good for going or not going,” trainer Leah Gyarmati said. “He sat off the other horse and went on. I like the way he finished, the way he galloped out. He looked good cooling out.”