Hennig taking it slow with Americanus

While some trainers entered a horse in Saturday’s Curlin Florida Derby in part because they felt it was the last opportunity to run in a stakes for 3-year-olds for the foreseeable future, trainer Mark Hennig took a different approach with the promising Americanus.

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Americanus, coming off a first-level allowance win going seven furlongs on Feb. 22 at Gulfstream, was held out of the Florida Derby “figuring we’re going to have plenty of opportunities at a more reasonable progression from the seven furlongs,” Hennig said.

Americanus, a son of War Front, earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure for his one-length victory on Feb. 22. He has come back to work three times, including a five-furlong move in 1:00.78 on March 19. Hennig said he would adjust Americanus’s work schedule.

“He’s well, I’m just going to try and stretch his breezes out until we figure out where we can go,” Hennig said.