Colonel John tunes up for Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. - Colonel John, the Santa Anita Derby winner, turned in an effortless five-furlong work at Santa Anita on Sunday morning, his penultimate work for the May 3 Kentucky Derby.

Colonel John was timed in 59.40 seconds, and his work was termed breezing by John Malone, Santa Anita's official morning clocker. Only 3 of the 45 works at five furlongs on Sunday were designated breezing.

Malone had Colonel John completing his final quarter-mile in 23.20 seconds. Eoin Harty, Colonel John's trainer, had Colonel John galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.40.

"That's as good as any work he's had," Harty said. "He didn't need to do too much. I know he's fit enough."

Colonel John is scheduled to fly to Churchill Downs on Monday. Harty said Colonel's John's final work would be at Churchill next weekend, anytime between Saturday and Tuesday, depending on weather.