Baffert says Thousand Words 'real strong' in five-furlong drill

DEL MAR, Calif. – After going off form earlier this year, Thousand Words seemed invigorated once relocating here to Del Mar, where he trained sharply heading into the Shared Belief, in which he scored a 9-1 upset over Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P.

He has continued to train forwardly since that race in preparation for the Kentucky Derby, and Sunday morning was credited with a five-furlong drill in 1:00 that was closer to a six-furlong work with an extensive gallop-out.

Breaking off at the five-furlong pole, while in company with Cezanne, Thousand Words reached the finish line in 1:00. He continued on out, with trainer Bob Baffert getting him in 1:12.20 for six furlongs, then galloping-out seven furlongs in 1:25 and a mile in 1:39.80, relaying instructions throughout via radio to exercise rider Juan Ochoa.

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“Real strong,” Baffert said of the work. “He’s doing very well right now.”

Thousand Words is scheduled to have one more work here at Del Mar before departing for Kentucky for the Sept. 5 Derby, in which Baffert will also start Haskell winner Authentic. He has won the Derby five times.