Kentucky Derby: Art Collector back training at Churchill

Art Collector, who figures as the second or third wagering choice behind Tiz the Law in the Derby, was back on familiar ground Thursday when galloping a mile during the designated training period reserved for Derby and Oaks horses. The colt arrived Wednesday from the nearby Skylight training center, trainer Tommy Drury’s main base.

Brian Hernandez Jr., the colt’s regular jockey, was aboard for the gallop because regular exercise rider James Lopez was unavailable due to coronavirus-related protocols.

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“He felt great underneath me,” said Hernandez. “He got a little aggressive, but he did pretty much everything we wanted him to do.”

Art Collector, unbeaten in four starts this year, has spent an appreciable amount of time at Churchill, both racing and training. He has finished first in three of four Churchill starts, although he was disqualified from one of those wins last fall because of a medication violation.

The rainy remains of Hurricane Laura were expected to arrive in this region Friday night and into Saturday. As a result, a number of trainers were looking to squeeze in the final pre-race workout for their Derby and Oaks horses Friday morning, including Drury with Art Collector. Hernandez was scheduled to be aboard for the drill.