Kentucky Derby: California invaders get feel for track

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The first sightings of the recently arrived California contingent – DORTMUND, FIRING LINE, and BOLO – were among the highlights of Monday’s Kentucky Derby-Oaks training session, which also featured a five-furlong work by BOLD CONQUEST, who still needs help to crack the Derby’s starting lineup.

The weather was crisp and clear when the track opened, with the strip seemingly playing a bit quicker than it had been the previous few mornings.

Bold Conquest took his sweet time, walking and jogging once around the one-mile oval before finally breaking off outside of workmate Gold Hawk. This was a somewhat typical Steve Asmussen maintenance move, just a furlong longer than usual, five days out from the race, with Bold Conquest going on even terms with his partner while fanning a bit wide off the final turn and just cruising, without any encouragement, to the wire.

Bold Conquest covered his final three-eighths in 36.20 seconds, completing the distance in 1:01.68 before being allowed to ease up on the gallop-out into the turn.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY WORKOUTS: Video analysis, news, and times

[bc_playlist_id:289889:]Trainer Bob Baffert breezed his two Oaks prospects, LUMINANCE and MAYBELLENE, with the word being that he’ll start only one of the pair Friday. If that decision is based solely on Monday’s breezes, it will be Luminance who runs.

Luminance came out shortly after dawn, going an easy five furlongs in 1:02.66 in an effort that looked better than the final time might suggest. Well held breaking away from the pole, Luminance was restrained through a 25.97-second opening quarter-mile, then picked up the pace turning for home and through the stretch, covering her final three furlongs in 36.69 despite only being nudged along to the wire, after which she galloped out willingly in 1:15.95.

Maybellene worked during the Derby-Oaks session and was clearly second-best while going in company with Pat Day Mile contender Lord Nelson. Breaking off nearest the rail, Maybellene began nearly a length in front of a well-held Lord Nelson, who was eased even farther back around the turn. The work turned into a mismatch down the stretch, with Lord Nelson fanning about six wide off the turn before dominating a hard-pressed Maybelline, hitting the line a head in front while just niggled on a bit to finish before pulling two lengths clear on the gallop-out. Maybellene covered four furlongs in 49.07, galloping out in 1:02.42.

The California trio of Dortmund, Firing Line, and Bolo, who flew in together Sunday, did little more than jog Monday, all three looking healthy and well following their long journey. The most impressive of the Derby horses during the special training session were DANZIG MOON and MATERIALITY. The former has made a great impression for the past week, while Materiality went a strong 1 1/2 miles after schooling in the starting gate, galloping for the first time since Friday’s work along with his Todd Pletcher-trained stablemates STANFORD and ITSAKNOCKOUT.

FAR RIGHT continues to be eager and a handful for his rider in the morning, reeling off a couple of 14-and-change furlongs while seemingly in run-off mode out near the middle of the course, down the stretch, and into the turn, pretty much a regular occurrence for the past week.

OCHO OCHO OCHO was a bit conspicuous by his absence during training hours until it was learned that Monday had been designated as a scheduled walk day for the Delta Jackpot winner, who could blow out Wednesday, according to trainer Jim Cassidy.