Kentucky Derby Clocker: American Pharoah among five to gallop

Churchill Downs
Weather: Raining; temperature 65
Track: Fast early/Sloppy after break

LOUISVILLE, Ky . - In the past, no trainer would dare run a horse in the Kentucky Derby without at least one work over the Churchill Downs racing strip. But Funny Cide’s victory in 2003 changed all that. This year is a prime case in point, with not even half the field on the grounds yet and at least a half a dozen, and possibly more, members of the prospective starting lineup not expected to have a breeze over the track prior to Derby Day.

Only five potential Derby starters galloped here on a bleary Sunday morning which featured intermittent showers and a racetrack downgraded from fast to sloppy following the renovation break.

American Pharoah is and will continue to be the big man on campus no matter who shows up and when they get here for the Derby. The likely post-time favorite turned in a routine 1 3/8-mile gallop over the wet track on Sunday, looking fit and well coming out of his easy victory in the Arkansas Derby.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

Far Right entered the track and then briefly walked back out the gap to have his hind bandages removed before finally beginning his training session on Sunday. Far Right, a well-beaten second by American Pharoah in the Arkansas Derby, galloped to the quarter pole then was allowed to stretch his legs down the stretch and around the bend, coming down the lane in 28.31 seconds while on his left lead at the wire and then continuing at slightly better than a two-minute clip before pulling up midway down the backstretch.

Mr. Z had a good morning and appeared to really relish the sloppy going. The first out on the track after the break, he was reaching out nicely throughout a very energetic gallop.

The only Derby prospect to go over a fast track prior to the special Derby-Oaks training session at 8:30 a.m. was War Story, who placed in all three graded stakes won by International Star this winter at Fair Grounds. War Story wasn’t striding out real smoothly during this morning’s session, which could just be his typical way of going ( having never seen him gallop previously.).

Re-enforcements will begin to arrive here within 48 hours as trainer Todd Pletcher’s contingent of south Florida-based Derby contenders, including Florida Derby winner Materiality, and Wood runner-up Tencendur are due on the grounds by Tuesday.