Judy the Beauty makes surprise appearance

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – What figured to be a far-from-noteworthy Kentucky Derby-Oaks training session Monday got an unexpected boost when reigning female sprint champion Judy the Beauty worked six furlongs after the renovation break at 8:30 a.m. Judy the Beauty is scheduled to make her 2015 debut in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff here a week from Saturday.

Churchill Downs
Weather: Overcast
Temperature: 58
Track: Muddy, upgraded to good after the break

Overnight rain left the main track muddy, but brisk winds helped dry the strip out to the point that it was labeled “good” once harrowed during the break.

Only three potential Derby starters and one Oaks hopeful trained during the special session prior to Judy the Beauty entering the course several minutes later.

:: Derby Workouts: News, workout times, and video analysis from Mike Welsch at Churchill Downs

BOLD CONQUEST, whose best finish this winter was a distant third behind American Pharoah in the Grade 2 Rebel, breezed an easy five furlongs in 1:02.64 with exercise rider Abel Flores up. Bold Conquest cruised through splits of 24.76 and 37.17 seconds, finishing under mild urging off the rail before galloping out six furlongs in 1:16.82. This maintenance drill came nine days after his fifth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby.

AMERICAN PHAROAH schooled briefly in the starting gate Monday before galloping 1 1/2 miles under regular exercise rider Jorge Alvarez. Almost certain to go postward as the Derby favorite, American Pharoah is far from the most imposing-looking individual in the field; he’s a bit on the smallish side. His gallops aren’t as impressive as his works or races. He is scheduled to have his final Derby breeze here Sunday.

DANZIG MOON bounced out of his bullet five-furlong drill here Saturday in good order, returning 48 hours later to turn in a very energetic 1 1/2-mile gallop after the break with William Cano aboard.

PUCA, the runner-up behind Condo Commando in the Grade 2 Gazelle, turned in an impressive 1 1/2-mile gallop with exercise rider Jo Lawson up before the break. OCEANWAVE was the only Oaks candidate to train during the special session, jogging a mile with bell boots on for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Trainer Wesley Ward received special permission from Churchill Downs racing secretary Ben Huffman to work Judy the Beauty during the time generally reserved exclusively for Derby and Oaks starters.

“I talked with Ben and asked if we could go out before the big rush after the break,” said Ward. “This filly had had a lot of nightmares and been through an awful lot over the years, and I was hoping to avoid any traffic issues since the track can get real crowded following the break.”

Judy the Beauty broke off at the six-furlong pole, four lengths behind stablemate Puppy Manners, and edged closer after an opening half in 47.56. Judy the Beauty quickly overtook her partner approaching the eighth pole, then maintained a half-length advantage to the wire under moderate urging from jockey Robby Albarado. She galloped out seven-eighths, well clear of her company, in 1:27.40.