Kentucky Derby clocker: Light morning with final works looming for contenders
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thursday was the calm before the storm in regard to Kentucky Derby and Oaks activity at Churchill Downs, with nary a single workout from horses training locally for either race. Routine gallops were the order of the day, with a majority of the Oaks runners scheduled to work Friday and Derby contenders penciled in for Saturday and Sunday mornings. There was a 50 percent chance of rain in the forecast for Sunday as of noon Thursday.
It was another chilly morning at Churchill Downs on Thursday, with the temperature hovering around 50 degrees when the track opened at 5:15 a.m., and dropping into the mid-40s by the time the Kentucky Derby-Oaks training session began a couple of hours later.
About the only real piece of news to be gleaned from Thursday’s training session was the fact SUMMER IS TOMORROW got very hot in the coat and lathered up, something he had not done on previous days, and particularly noteworthy considering the crisp weather conditions. That’s never a positive sign, and the U.A.E Derby runner-up will have to be monitored closely moving forward. His presence in the Derby starting gate could be significant as a potential pace candidate in a field lacking much in the way of real early speed.
Another likely pace player a week from Saturday is CLASSIC CAUSEWAY, a late addition to the field, who finally made his first appearance wearing his Kentucky Derby saddle towel and first during the Derby-Oaks training session. His routine gallop was a prelude to what trainer Brian Lynch promises will be a stiff six-furlong work over the weekend.
One Derby contender who seems to have progressed the past couple of mornings is SMILE HAPPY, who was striding out nicely coming by the grandstand the second time, having arguably his best day yet coming out of a second-place finish behind Zandon in the Blue Grass.
BARBER ROAD, who galloped out with very good energy at the end of his stiff six-furlong work Friday, gave off positive vibes himself Thursday, moving strongly and very willingly while giving the appearance of being a very happy horse.
There was no change in the Todd Pletcher trio of MO DONEGAL, CHARGE IT, and PIONEER OF MEDINA, with all three continuing to exude positive vibes heading into their final Derby preps this weekend. The same holds true for ZANDON, who again appeared wanting to do much more than his rider allowed while galloping with considerable energy and kept well out past the middle of the racetrack for a second consecutive morning.
Trainer Brad Cox also had to be all smiles watching CYBERKNIFE and ZOZOS be put through their paces during the Derby-Oaks session, neither showing any ill effects from their relatively stiff works here last Friday.
Taiba works at Santa Anita
At Santa Anita, the undefeated Santa Anita Derby winner TAIBA worked six furlongs from the five-eighths pole in 1:12.96, per Daily Racing Form, while in company with the older recent maiden $150,000 claiming winner American Admiral.
Taiba rated just off and outside his mate and struggled a bit before finally sticking his head in front under urging to wire, then was fully extended to complete the distance, maintaining a short advantage into the turn. Taiba then galloped out seven-eighths in 1:26.60, up a mile in 1:42.60.