Derby works: General a Rod looking better in half-mile drill

[bc_video_id:322798:]LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The welcome mat was out here Tuesday morning for the three latest arrivals on the Kentucky Derby scene: the favored California Chrome, Dance With Fate, and Samraat. The one major piece of business to be completed Tuesday was a half-mile breeze by General a Rod, who made news of his own 24 hours earlier with the announcement that he’d been purchased by Skychai Racing and Starlight Stables.

The weather and track conditions were both major improvements over the previous morning. The severe thunderstorms that forced the track to be closed for training for approximately 30 minutes Monday had moved east. The racetrack itself took the several inches of rain that fell Sunday and Monday well and was upgraded from muddy to fast after being harrowed during the renovation break that regularly precedes the special Oaks/Derby training session.[:slideshow-right:]

General a Rod (four furlongs in 49.50): Although nothing more than a maintenance-type drill, which came over a fast track immediately after the break, Tuesday’s work was an important one, considering that General a Rod was lackluster in his breeze six days earlier. Equipped with blinkers, which he wears when he races but does not regularly use for works, and with jockey Joel Rosario aboard, General a Rod got a little rank once entering the backstretch. He got his juices flowing when Oaks filly Got Lucky ranged up to his inside while galloping.

But Rosario was able to get General a Rod to relax nicely by the time they left the half-mile pole and completed an opening quarter in 24.55. General a Rod was allowed to float four or five paths wide leaving the turn, changed leads on cue at the top of the stretch, and finished with a lot more interest than last week without the need of encouragement from his rider. He began easing up shortly past the wire, galloping out five furlongs in an uninspiring 1:04.16 but very much in the manner of most Mike Maker workers.

This certainly was an improvement over his previous work, but he still gives the impression that he’s not quite as sharp as he had been breezing over the swifter Gulfstream Park strip (without blinkers) prior to his second-place finish in the Fountain of Youth and third in the Florida Derby.

California Chrome was the first of the new Derby arrivals to test the track, coming out shortly before 7 a.m. The Santa Anita Derby winner made a nice appearance while doing nothing more than jogging the wrong way on the outside fence. He was a bit hot coming off the track, but that could just be the result of expending nervous energy during his first time in his new surroundings.

Samraat and Dance With Fate also jogged Tuesday, but Samraat was allowed to do more. He jogged two miles alongside a stable pony. All three of the new faces are expected to gallop Wednesday.

Wicked Strong already had one day to adapt to his new surroundings, but he seemed even more distracted than usual this morning. He switched over to his left lead and ducked out abruptly the two times he reached a point in front of the grandstand approaching the finish line. Wicked Strong, the Wood Memorial winner, also got a little hot. All of that may be nothing to be concerned about but does bear watching in the days ahead, considering the commotion he’ll have to deal with in the paddock on Derby Day.

Medal Count and Candy Boy appear to have bounced out of their big workouts Saturday in good order, both turning in spirited gallops after the break.

Vicar’s in Trouble was the first Derby horse to train shortly after the track opened for business and did not appear to be striding out very comfortably over a surface that still had plenty of moisture in it. His stablemate Harry’s Holiday trained several hours later in relative obscurity up in the one-mile chute, but he, too, did not look happy while washing out by the time he exited the track.