Carpe Diem works solid half at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Carpe Diem, who figures as the third or fourth wagering choice in the upcoming Kentucky Derby, had his first breeze since winning the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, going a half-mile Saturday morning in 48 seconds over a fast track at Keeneland.

Granted special permission by Keeneland officials to work after regular training hours had concluded, Carpe Diem stepped onto the track with freshly harrowed inner paths at 10:15 a.m. Eastern with regular rider John Velazquez aboard. He was timed in perfect splits of 12, 24, and 36 while never asked for run. His gallop-out times were 1:00.40 for five furlongs and 1:13.80 for six furlongs.

Trainer Todd Pletcher was on hand after catching a charter flight from Palm Beach International Airport on a plane owned by Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke. Pletcher had been at Palm Beach Downs at daybreak Saturday to watch several of his other Derby contenders breeze, including unbeaten Materiality.

“I thought [Carpe Diem] worked super,” said Pletcher. “His energy was good. He was hard to pull up at the end, which is always a good sign.”

Owned by the partnership of Stonestreet Stables and WinStar Farm, Carpe Diem probably will remain at Keeneland for a second maintenance work leading up to the May 2 Derby, said Pletcher, “although that’s not for sure.” Meanwhile, his Florida contingent is scheduled to be flown Tuesday and take up residence at Churchill Downs.

Carpe Diem, purchased at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2-year-old-in-training sale in March 2014, has won four of five starts. He won his debut on closing day of the Saratoga meet last summer, then won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland before ending his 2-year-old campaign with a late-closing second to Texas Red in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Prepped at Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs in Florida, the colt won the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby by five lengths before capturing the April 4 Blue Grass by three lengths.

As for a Kentucky Derby jockey, Pletcher said no decision has been reached as to whether Velazquez will ride Carpe Diem or Alto Racing’s Materiality, winner of the March 28 Florida Derby in his most recent start.

“Ultimately, it will be Johnny’s decision,” said Pletcher. “He’s in a tough spot. He’s 4 for 5 on one, and 3 for 3 on the other. We’ll maybe sit down Monday or so and start to break it down. If it was up to me, I might sit on it another week, but I don’t think all the connections would be comfortable with that.”

In terms of wagering support in the Derby, Carpe Diem figures to be behind only American Pharoah and Dortmund, with perhaps only Mubtaahij challenging him for third choice. Materiality likely will be among the next wagering choices.

For the Derby, Carpe Diem will race under Stonestreet’s gold and burgundy colors after winning the Blue Grass under WinStar’s white silks.