Bourbon War staying busy with Derby start unlikely

ELMONT, N.Y. – When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, no news is bad news as far as trainer Mark Hennig is concerned.

Hennig is the trainer of Bourbon War, who would need four defections to make it into the body of the Kentucky Derby field.

If the Derby isn’t the next race, the Peter Pan at Belmont Park on May 11 or the Preakness at Pimlico on May 18 most likely will be, and on Thursday, Hennig sent out Bourbon War for a half-mile workout in 48.52 seconds over the Belmont main track.

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Bourbon War, second in the Fountain of Youth and fourth in the Florida Derby, went his first quarter in 23.89 seconds and his second quarter in 24.63 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.34.

It was his first work at Belmont since returning from South Florida. It was his second work in blinkers, equipment he most likely will wear wherever he starts next.

“They’re just a real small cup, just put them on to try and sharpen him up a little bit, get him a little more attentive early; seems to be doing the trick,” Hennig said before catching a plane to Florida, where he was to run Strike Power at Gulfstream Park.

Meanwhile, Hennig also sent out Bernin’ Thru Gold for a half-mile work in 49.32. It was that ridgling’s first work since he won a maiden race by 15 3/4 lengths on April 6 at Gulfstream Park, earning an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

Hennig said he isn’t sure where he will run Bernin’ Thru Gold next, though he did nominate him to the Gold Fever Stakes on May 12 at Belmont.

“He ran a really fast number in that last race, so I’m not looking to rush him into a spot,” Hennig said. “I nominated him to that little sprint stake to see how it would come up.”