Derby Clocker: Combatant takes stage

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Monday, April 30
Weather: Clear
Temp.: 43
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The theme of Monday morning’s special Kentucky Derby/Kentucky Oaks training session was again “one and done.”

Like Hofburg 24 hours earlier, Combatant took center stage as the lone worker during the 15-minute training window reserved for Derby/Oaks starters. Although the work was designed as a typical Steve Asmussen maintenance run five days out from the race, Combatant was on his toes the moment he was released, posting a 24.57 opening quarter-mile split and finishing with similar energy, despite switching leads approaching the wire. The multiple graded stakes-placed 3-year-old completed the easy half-mile in 49.49 before gearing down a bit on the gallop.

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While perhaps a notch below the top group in this year’s Derby field, Combatant obviously loves his home course, having won his only previous start over the Churchill Downs main track, and seems to be coming into the race at his best.

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s Derby quartet of Magnum Moon, Audible, Vino Rosso, and Noble Indy were back to the track Monday after walking the shed the previous morning. All four turned in routine gallops, with Vino Rosso getting the No. 1 star for the session, proving a bit of a handful for his rider throughout a spirited gallop of approximately 1 3/8 miles.

On the filly side, Coach Rocks and Wonder Gadot again turned in spirited gallops Monday morning, both appearing to have exited their recent works in good order.

Sunday

The lone Kentucky Derby worker Sunday morning at Churchill Downs was Florida Derby runner-up Hofburg, who also made the most of his opportunity in the spotlight with a sharp half-mile breeze in 48.03 in company with Villamy, a 3-year-old filly who won her only career start earlier this season at Tampa Bay Downs.

Hofburg, who was a bit reluctant to rally up inside his workmate breezing at Payson Park one week earlier, broke off a couple of lengths behind Villamy and seemed more comfortable coming around his target, easing in front after a 24.43 opening quarter-mile then readily edging nearly three lengths clear from his overmatched partner while just cruising to the wire. He then extended the advantage with a solid gallop-out, five-eighths in 1:00.98 before pulling up six panels in 1:14.81.

Hofburg has flourished since arriving here earlier this week, having shown great energy in his daily gallops. He certainly has had his Derby stock rise following last Sunday’s somewhat disappointing breeze in South Florida.