Bodexpress breezes, awaits results of final Derby preps

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Gustavo Delgado and the rest of the connections of Florida Derby runner-up Bodexpress will be paying close attention to both the Arkansas Derby and Lexington Stakes on Saturday while also doing a lot of scoreboard watching in the days and weeks ahead.

Going into the weekend, Bodexpress was tied with Spinoff for 16th place in the Kentucky Derby point standings with 40 points. But the results of the Arkansas Derby, Lexington, and even a race at Chelmsford City in England on Thursday are all capable of putting Bodexpress on the outside looking in when the Derby field is finally drawn later this month.

“Right now, we’re proceeding on the theory that we’re going to get in,” said Delgado’s son Gustavo Jr. shortly after Bodexpress breezed five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 1:01.20 on Thursday at Gulfstream Park West.

“We’ll keep training him here and keep an eye on things,” said Delgado. “If we’re 21st on the list, we’d probably ship him to Churchill Downs, hoping we still might get into the Derby. If not, a race like the Pat Day Mile could be a possibility, or we might just wait for the Preakness.”

Entering the Florida Derby as a maiden, Bodexpress chased Maximum Security from start to finish, crossing the wire 3 1/2 lengths behind him but another 3 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher and Fountain of Youth winner Code of Honor. Bodexpress earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure in the Florida Derby. Nik Juarez has ridden Bodexpress in his last two starts and would retain the mount in the Kentucky Derby.

“We’ve been very pleased with the job Nik has done both times he’s ridden our horse,” said the younger Delgado.

At just about the same time Bodexpress was breezing at Gulfstream Park West, so was Davona Dale winner and Kentucky Oaks-bound Jeltrin about eight miles east at her home base of Gulfstream Park. With jockey Leonel Reyes aboard, Jeltrin went six furlongs in 1:13.70, posting splits of 23.67 seconds, 35.42, and 47.99 before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:28.27 and easing up after a full mile in 1.42.45.

“That was spectacular,” trainer Alexis Delgado said shortly after Jeltrin had cooled out from her work. “Leonel told me that today she felt like she’s never felt before.”

Jeltrin, a daughter of Tapizar, ran down Cookie Dough to post a hard-fought head decision in the 1 1/16-mile Davona Dale on March 2, after which Delgado decided to hold her out of the Gulfstream Park Oaks four weeks later to train her up to the Kentucky Oaks on May 3. Jeltrin will have two more works here before shipping to Kentucky. Although Reyes will remain Jeltrin’s regular work rider here, Delgado said Luis Saez will retain the mount in the Oaks.