Kentucky Derby: Honor A. P. given lengthy gallop-out following five-furlong work
DEL MAR, Calif. – The second of the three afternoon workouts for Honor A. P. at Del Mar leading up to the Kentucky Derby was supposed to be the most serious of them, and the intent was evident on Saturday, as jockey Mike Smith had the long-striding colt continue out strongly, turning what was listed officially as a five-furlong drill into what was more like a seven-furlong move.
As he did last Saturday, Honor A. P., the Santa Anita Derby winner, left the pony at the 5 1/2-furlong pole and commenced his drill at the five-furlong pole. Going along steadily as usual, he clicked off fractions of 12 seconds, 24, 36.20, and 47.60, flashed under the wire in 1:00.20, and then was asked by Smith to go on with it.
Honor A. P. went through the next furlong in 12 seconds, for a six-furlong time of 1:12.20, and he galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.40, according to track clocker Toby Turrell.
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“Another good workout,” Smith said after dismounting. “He galloped out really good past the wire. He had a lot of energy. I had a hard time pulling him up.”
By the time he brought Honor A. P. to a stop, “He went a good mile and an eighth,” Smith said.
Honor A. P. last Saturday polished off five furlongs in 59.40 seconds. He then proceeded to gallop out an extra furlong in 12 flat for a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:11.40. The work this time was more for stamina than speed.
John Shirreffs, who trains Honor A. P. said he would work again next Saturday, also before the first race so that Smith can again climb aboard. That will be his final work before he departs two days later for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.