Derby clocker: McCraken loaded with energy

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Weather: Cloudy
Track: Fast
Temp.: 73

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Unseasonably warm weather greeted horsemen when training began at 5:45 Sunday morning, but things were really heating up about three hours later when McCraken put in his final major work for the 2017 Kentucky Derby.

The racetrack was on the quick side throughout the session; horses were working into a stiff headwind down the stretch that became even more pronounced after the renovation break.

McCraken was one of two prospective Derby starters to work during the Oaks-Derby session along with Fast and Accurate, who went in company with his new rider, Channing Hill, aboard.

McCraken relaxed through a 25.43 opening quarter under regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. before picking up the pace almost imperceptibly approaching the stretch, completing his final three-eighths in 35.24, the last quarter of that into the wind without a hint of encouragement from his rider.

As was the case in his previous work six days earlier, McCraken continued on eagerly into the turn, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.29, at which point Hernandez began the difficult process of trying to rein him in. Despite the efforts of his rider, McCraken still went out seven-eighths in 1:27.33 and a mile in 1:42.16, then seemed to re-break again, dragging Hernandez all the way back around to the three-eighths pole before finally being corralled by the outrider.

“I told Brian not to let him gallop out more than eighth of a mile after the wire because I wanted to leave him wanting to do more,” trainer Ian Wilkes said afterward. “I guess he sure did.”

It’s hard to ask for much better than McCraken has shown in his final two works; he gave every indication he should bounce back from his somewhat disappointing performance in the Blue Grass with his top effort on Derby day.

Fast and Accurate worked on the inside of older stablemate Adventist, a winner of an optional claiming and allowance race over the Gulfstream Park turf in his previous start.

The two left the five-eighths pole running, posting splits of 11.58 and 23.63 for the opening quarter with both getting a bit once settling into the stretch, their final three-eighths in 37.27 en route to a 1:00.90 final clocking. Fast and Accurate had his head cocked out while trying to lean on his partner much of the way down the stretch, holding a short advantage at the wire before edging a couple of lengths clear galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.31.

Always Dreaming was among the first horses on the racetrack early this morning and again proved very unsettled from the outset. The Florida Derby winner became particularly difficult to handle upon turning into the stretch, fighting his rider for nearly another five furlongs while clipping off a couple of :13 and change eighth-mile splits around the clubhouse turn nearing the end of the session.

Always Dreaming has shown a world of talent in his races and all recent works but it’s extremely difficult to get a horse who won’t relax to stay 1 1/4 miles. Todd Pletcher’s abundant training skills will certainly be put to the test this week in his attempt to get Always Dreaming to come to hand in the crucial final days leading up to the Derby.

Practical Joke returned to the track for the first time since turning in another solid work Friday, galloping Sunday without the blinkers he wore both training here last week and in that drill. Trainer Chad Brown said removing the blinkers, as he did for Sunday’s session, is standard practice for him during this type of blinker experiment and that he was leaning toward running Practical Joke with blinkers for the first time in the Derby.

He added that a final decision on the potential equipment change wouldn’t be made until shortly before entry time Wednesday and after he had one last discussion on the matter with his jockey, Joel Rosario.

Irap trained locally for the first time since shipping to Louisville from Keeneland on Saturday and made a very favorable impression. A strapping-looking colt, he trained in blinkers, as usual, this morning even though he does not work or race with the hood.

Hence got a little warm training here Saturday but showed no such signs Sunday even though the temperature was in the mid-70s at the time he galloped during the Oaks-Derby session. Hence continues to look very good on a regular basis as do his Derby-bound stablemates Lookin At Lee and Untrapped. All are scheduled to have their final, maintenance-style, Derby breezes for trainer Steve Asmussen on Monday.

Classic Empire, State of Honor, and Gunnavera all returned to the track for routine gallops this morning and appear to have come out of their works on Friday in good order.