El Kabeir sharp in morning workout

ELMONT, N.Y. – Despite difficult weather conditions, El Kabeir prospered over the winter in New York, winning the Gotham and Jerome, finishing second in the Withers, and placing third in the Wood Memorial.

Saturday, on a crisp, clear morning, he worked a half-mile over a fast main track at Belmont Park in 47 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Vesce, his final major exercise prior to next Saturday's Kentucky Derby. El Kabeir is scheduled to leave by van for Kentucky on Sunday afternoon and arrive at Churchill Downs around dawn Monday, according to trainer John Terranova.

The last time El Kabeir visited Churchill Downs, he won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club by a head last November. Calvin Borel, his rider that day, will be reunited with El Kabeir in the Derby.

Vesce caught El Kabeir in splits of 24.20 and 22.80 on Saturday, with a five furlong gallop-out time of 59.20. Although he was scheduled to work alone, El Kabeir picked up some unexpected company from a 4-year-old New York-bred filly, Saythreehailmary's, who is trained by John Morrison.

Soon after breaking off for his work under regular exercise rider Simon Harris, El Kabeir was joined by Saythreehailmary's. El Kabeir was several lengths clear of her at the finish.

"That other horse came up inside of us, but Simon just sat outside of her," Terranova said. "It was a good work, and he's sharp and ready for next week."

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

Saythreehailmary's is a solid filly with a 3-3-4 record from 13 career starts. She won a New York-bred second-level optional-claiming race two starts back.

El Kabeir, a $250,000 yearling purchase by Zayat Stables at the Ocala Breeders' Sales in August 2013, is a gray son of Scat Daddy. He has put together a 9-4-2-2 record with earnings of $768,000.

Although El Kabeir is a quick horse, he has changed his running style in his last two races, rallying from a dozen lengths off the pace to win the Gotham and from seventh position to finish third in the Wood.

"It's just been a 2-year-old to a 3-year-old change," Terranova said. "We've always trained him to sit off horses, but he has shown a new dimension in his last two races. He showed a real new dimension in the Gotham. He completely turned off in that race and then came running."

Terranova doesn't have a definitive strategy for the Derby, saying, "It all depends how the race develops. In hindsight, the Wood was a very good prep for the Derby. He only ran about three-eighths of a mile. It didn't take anything out of him."