Firing Line breezes toward Kentucky Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Firing Line, winner of the Sunland Park Derby on March 22, worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds Saturday at Santa Anita, moving closer to a start in the $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2.

Ridden by jockey Gary Stevens, Firing Line worked alone. He was not vigorously ridden by Stevens, who was seeking a one-minute workout at the request of trainer Simon Callaghan.

“He was a little aggressive in the last few days galloping, so I let him do something,” Stevens said.

Firing Line galloped out six furlongs in 1:12, Callaghan said.

“That’s how good horses breeze,” Callaghan said. “He’s feeling good after it.”

Callaghan plans to give Firing Line two more workouts at Santa Anita before sending the colt to Churchill Downs on April 26.

Owned by Arnold Zetcher, Firing Line has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $574,800. The colt, by Line of David, will be the first runner in the Kentucky Derby for Callaghan, 32.

Later Saturday morning, Whiskey Ticket, a maiden race winner in his debut March 19, worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:12.80. Trained by Bob Baffert, Whiskey Ticket is a candidate for the $400,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne on April 18.

Maybellene, the promoted winner of the $200,240 Sunland Park Oaks in New Mexico on May 22, may start in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks on May 1, Baffert said.

Maybellene worked a half-mile in 48.60 Saturday. She was second to stablemate Callback in the Sunland Park Oaks but promoted to first after Callback was disqualified for causing interference in the stretch.

Maybellene is owned by Baffert’s wife, Jill.