Clocker: Lockdown works for Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Oaks-bound Lockdown was the lone Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby worker at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, going five furlongs in 59.59 in company with her Grade 3-placed stablemate Elate after the renovation break. Elate, who was pulled up and vanned off as the even-money favorite in the Grade 1 Ashland in her previous start, was actually the stronger of the Bill Mott-trained duo of 3-year-old fillies at the wire, making up a length on Lockdown, who was under some pressure to finish nearest the rail. Lockdown, a distant second behind Miss Sky Warrior in the Grade 2 Gazelle, galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.90.

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out two of his five potential Kentucky Derby starters, Battalion Runner and Tapwrit, to gallop during the special Oaks-Derby training session at 8:30 a.m. Battalion Runner got a tad warm but was particularly impressive, showing terrific energy while pulling his rider around at nearly a two-minute clip. Both Battalion Runner and Tapwrit wore their Derby towels, while Malagacy, who galloped before dawn for Pletcher, did not. Pletcher's two other Derby starters, Always Dreaming and Patch, arrived on the grounds shortly after 11 a.m.

State of Honor also made a favorable impression, galloping for the first time since working here last Friday. State of Honor two-minute-licked for nearly an entire mile while training after the break along with his Oaks-bound stablemate Salty. Trainer Mark Casse sent his top Derby contender, 2-year-old champion and Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, out to gallop once again shortly after the track opened for training at 5:45 a.m.

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Gunnevera also made his first local appearance but, as expected, did little more than jog once around alongside a pony. The Fountain of Youth winner, he had his final serious Derby work at Gulfstream Park West last Friday morning.

McCraken went back to the track for an easy jog just 24 hours after turning in an impressive five-furlong work here on Monday. Trainer Ian Wilkes regularly jogs his horses the day after a work before giving them a day off from training.

The most impressive work of the morning was turned in by one-time Kentucky Derby hopeful Uncontested, who blazed five furlongs in 33.58, 58.13 and is being pointed to the Pat Day Mile here Saturday.