El Kabeir enjoys calm before storm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There finally was an El Kabeir sighting on the track Wednesday at Churchill Downs, but even that didn’t quell whispers that the gray colt might not be running in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

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El Kabeir, on his first day on the track since arriving from New York early Monday morning, just jogged once around the Churchill oval. He had not been to the track since he worked a sharp half-mile in 46.81 seconds Saturday at Belmont Park.

Trainer John Terranova said all is well with El Kabeir. He just wanted to let him have a few easy days after a sharp workout and a 13-hour van ride.

“Nothing really different than we did all winter in between races,” Terranova said. “We kept the same kind of schedule, keeping him fresh, keeping that energy. He puts so much into his works, and he does put a lot into his gallops. I know we’re going to go out there and gallop on the bridle the next couple of days.”

El Kabeir has run nine times, equaling the second-most of any of the 22 horses entered Wednesday for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. He has raced four times this year and trained through the harshest of New York winter weather.

There were often mornings at Belmont Park during the winter when Terranova simply took El Kabeir to the jogging barn instead of the track.

“He’s probably the fittest horse here,” Terranova said.

El Kabeir has already been to Churchill, having won last fall’s Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 29. He was ridden by Calvin Borel that day and will be reunited with Borel – a three-time Kentucky Derby-winning rider – on Saturday.