Kentucky Derby: Barber Road breezes easy solo half-mile
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road turned in his final serious piece of work for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs, breezing a half-mile in 48.80 seconds, according to track clockers.
“We’re not trying to do any speed drills here,” trainer John Ortiz said. “We know what he wants.”
Barber Road, a Race Day colt, worked on his own, with regular exercise rider Elexander Aguilar in the irons, during the 15-minute training window reserved for Derby and Oaks horses immediately following the first renovation break. Ortiz was pleased with the long-striding gray colt’s attitude and energy over the fast main track.
“He was happy to be out there,” Ortiz said. “He was playful going to the pole. . . . He was through the bridle down the stretch.”
This was the second pre-Derby work at Churchill Downs for Barber Road, who wintered at Oaklawn with a consistent run through its prep series. He finished second in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on Jan. 29, third in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 26, and, finally, second in the Arkansas Derby on April 9. He breezed six furlongs on April 22.