Gray Magician finishes fast in drill for Kentucky Derby

Gray Magician, the runner-up in the UAE Derby, had his final breeze before the May 4 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, working five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in California under Drayden Van Dyke, who has picked up the ride in the Derby.

According to trainer Peter Miller, Gray Magician finished the work in 23 1/5 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 2/5. The move came in company with an unspecified workmate as a target.

A California-based colt, Gray Magician has logged the traveling miles in recent months, shipping to Laurel to run second to Alwaysmining in the Miracle Wood on Feb. 16, and a month and a half later heading to Dubai for the March 30 UAE Derby, where he was beaten three-quarters of a length by Plus Que Parfait.

Joel Rosario rode Gray Magician in Dubai but is committed to Game Winner in the Kentucky Derby.

Van Dyke has never ridden Gray Magician in a race but is one of Miller's regular jockeys. He notably rode the Miller-trained Stormy Liberal to victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs last fall.

Van Dyke rode his first Derby last year, finishing fourth aboard Instilled Regard.