Frankel pair top Sunday works

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Empire Maker and Peace Rules, along with Atswhatimtalknbout and Ten Most Wanted, turned in their final works on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs for Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Empire Maker and Peace Rules, both trained by Bobby Frankel, both were ridden by exercise rider Mitsu Nakauchida. Peace Rules went out earlier, and was timed by Daily Racing Form in 1:13.98 for six furlongs on the fast track. Empire Maker went out after the renovation break and was timed in 1:12.72. Peace Rules went by himself, while Empire Maker worked in the company of Requete.

"The first work we messed up a little," Frankel said, referring to Peace Rules. "He went in 1:14, and I wanted him to go in 1:13. But he's dead fit."

Empire Maker was far more impressive, breezing past Requete, who was under urging.

Atswhatimtalknbout also worked very well, in the company of his Ron Ellis-trained barnmate, Carthage. Atswhatimtalknbout was timed in 59.54 seconds for five furlongs with jockey David Flores up. The colt wore blinkers, and Ellis said Atswhatimtalknbout would wear blinkers in a race for the first time in the Derby.

"The way he worked today gets me excited," Ellis said.

Ten Cents a Shine worked right after the track opened at 5:15 and was timed in 58.72 seconds for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who said he would run the colt in the race despite his dreadful recent form.