Kentucky Derby clocker report: Spirited gallopers galore in cool weather two days out
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 57
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The final preparations are just about over for this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby candidates, although many turned in spirited gallops in cool conditions over a pretty quick racetrack on Thursday at Churchill Downs, where the temperature again held in the mid to upper 50s throughout the morning.
The highlight might have come after the second renovation break at 9 a.m., when 2021 Oaks winner Malathaat breezed four furlongs in 48.78 alongside stablemate Promise Keeper before galloping out with plenty of energy, five-eighths in 1:01.15, up six panels in 1:13.77.
Long before Malathaat did her thing, trainer Todd Pletcher sent out his Derby and Oaks six pack surprisingly early this morning, all at 5:30 a.m. save for GODDESS OF FIRE, who followed right behind her mates in the next set. Conversely, trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio, who usually train well before dawn, waited until the 7:30 to 7:45 window reserved for Derby and Oaks runners to get their work in this morning.
EPICENTER was back on his regular schedule today, galloping a relatively easy 1 1/4 miles shortly before 6 a.m. MESSIER was also an early bird, joining the Pletcher threesome for a routine gallop at 5:30 while appearing a lot less aggressive than he had been here 24 hours earlier. His stablemate, Santa Anita Derby winner TAIBA, took the morning off after blowing out three furlongs yesterday, as did CROWN PRIDE following his fast and very impressive half-mile breeze on Wednesday.
SIMPLIFICATION was really on his toes today, almost in run-off mode down the backstretch the second time around, which could be taken as a positive sign assuming he can temper that enthusiasm and settle into a more relaxed stride once the gate opens on Saturday, as he did during the early stages of his victory in the Fountain of Youth. Simplification did all his serious Derby prepping over his home base at Gulfstream Park, where he turned in a series of very impressive-looking works punctuated by long and strong gallop-outs the past several weeks.
SMILE HAPPY, who boiled over training here yesterday, was not as wet in the coat this morning and, after needing a little time to stretch his legs, was full of run coming past the wire and heading into the backstretch the second time around. He followed closely on the heels of HAPPY JACK, who was also in near run-off mode the entire length of the backstretch before pulling up in the vicinity of the 3 1/2-furlong pole.
CYBERKNIFE, who arguably has worked as well as anybody in the Derby lineup here over the past two weeks, was also a very happy horse this morning and full of energy training during the Derby-Oaks session for Cox.
ZANDON looked terrific again this morning, like a machine during routine gallops showing that controlled aggression, striding out powerfully, on a regular basis. Couldn’t be doing better.
Among the Oaks contenders, California invader DESERT DAWN caught the eye as the first out to train at 7:30. She appears to be coming up to the race in peak form exiting her victory in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks and a sharp-looking five-furlong work over her home track prior to shipping to Kentucky last weekend.