Hansen works five furlongs for Blue Grass

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Reigning juvenile champion Hansen, prepping for the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 14 at Keeneland, breezed five furlongs in 59.80 seconds at Churchill Downs Trackside Saturday.

With exercise rider Joel Barrientos aboard, Hansen went smoothly throughout, going in splits of 12.20, 23.80, 35.80 and 47.40. As with his other works, his breezed a furlong past the finish line, and was timed galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.60.

“His weight’s better and being two weeks out, we let him do a bit more today,” said trainer Mike Maker. “Time wasn’t really the thing, but I was happy the way he relaxed the first part of it. It was a very even work, and back at the barn there was no sign of stress at all that he even worked. Very happy.”

Hansen’s breeze was second fastest of 10 at the five-furlong distance at Trackside Saturday, trailing only the 59.20 breeze from three-time stakes Lotta Lovin, who is being pointed toward the April 7 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland by Maker.

Other prominent horses likely to join Hansen in the Blue Grass include Drill, Howe Great, Dullahan, and Hansen’s stablemate, Gung Ho.