Kentucky Derby Clocker Report: Derma Sotogake, Sun Thunder put in half-mile breezes

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 50

Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - ­The post positions have been drawn but the prep work is not quite over for the 14 fillies set to contest Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and the 20 colts targeting the Kentucky Derby 24 hours later.

Tuesday saw Derby contenders DERMA SOTOGAKE and SUN THUNDER turn in easy half-mile breezes during the special training session immediately after the renovation break. Derma Sotogake completed the distance from the three-eighths pole in 49.87 seconds, with Sun Thunder going in a more conventional fashion, from the half-mile pole to the wire, in 47.76. Sun Thunder was equipped with the blinkers he will compete in for the first time on Saturday.

Derma Sotogake had a much stiffer, five-furlong work here just six days earlier when set down hard from the top of the stretch to the finish line to shade 23 for his final quarter. But he was clearly in maintenance mode Tuesday, sandwiching the work between his regular, lengthy training sessions up in the one-mile chute.

Sun Thunder also had a more serious drill last Wednesday and showed improved speed working with the blinkers once more this morning.

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Santa Anita Derby runner-up MANDARIN HERO, who needs two scratches to draw into the Derby field, also had a workout today, going five furlongs in 1:05.62 while just coasting to the wire.

CONTINUAR, who had a very disappointing work in company with Derma Sotogake on Wednesday, was also expected to breeze today but did not, once again chopping along during his gallop.

Other than that, it was a pretty routine morning on both the Derby and Oaks front. MAGE had a good day, showing off plenty of energy during his gallop, while TWO PHIL’S made another very nice physical appearance but did get a bit skittish while turning around and transitioning from jog to gallop mode near the half-mile pole.

I never saw Practical Move or Confidence Game train this a.m. Confidence Game got the day off following a sharp work Saturday and a high-energy gallop yesterday. If Practical Move trained, he did so without the monogramed Derby towel, which he wore when jogging his first day over the track here Sunday.

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On the Oaks front, AFFIRMATIVE LADY made a very nice first impression after shipping over from Keeneland for trainer Graham Motion, while PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS looked very good galloping strongly through the lane and into the clubhouse turn while kept just a few paths removed from the inside rail.

WONDER WHEEL looked a bit lackluster during her early morning gallop. She was returning to the track after having been given the day off on Monday.

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