Kentucky Derby: Mott goes back to the well with Resilience, Just F Y I

Just four days after Resilience and Just F Y I put in their first workouts over the Churchill Downs main track in preparation for their starts in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively, trainer Bill Mott sent the 3-year-olds out for their second workouts Monday morning on a clear, cool morning in Louisville.

“We didn’t do much the other day. I wanted to see a good work far enough out where it wasn’t going to compromise them but yet benefit them,” Mott said, explaining the quick turnaround.

Resilience, the Grade 2 Wood Memorial winner who worked a half-mile in 50.20 seconds last Thursday, went five furlongs in 1:01.55 on Monday, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch, who caught Resilience’s final quarter in 23.84 seconds and had him galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.50, seven furlongs in 1:27.64, and a mile in 1:41.86.

“Couldn’t have been happier,” Mott said.

Junior Alvarado was aboard for the work. Mott said Alvarado would ride Resilience in the Derby, unless John Velazquez was to come available before entry day on Saturday. Velazquez, who has ridden Resilience in his last three starts, is committed to ride likely Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness in the Derby.

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“I’ve got that agreement,” Mott said. “Johnny won on the horse, but he’s also got Fierceness. Junior got along with him well and I’m perfectly happy with him.”

Resilience went out after the second break, shortly after 9 a.m., though he had to wait for a loose horse that was running on the track to be caught.

Earlier in the morning, 2023 2-year-old champion filly Just F Y I went a faster five furlongs in 59.86 seconds under Alvarado, her regular pilot. Welsch caught Just F Y I’s last quarter in 23.71 and took her out six furlongs in 1:12.61 and seven furlongs in 1:25.48. Last week, Just F Y I went a half-mile in 50 seconds.

Just F Y I, who Mott said “can be strong” in the morning, will come into the Oaks having just one race this year, a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Ashland on April 5 after missing a scheduled start in the Davona Dale on March 2.

“I think I’m happy where we’re at, very happy,” Mott said. “Two races might have been too much. We probably weren’t fully ready for the last one. With the race and a work like this in her she will be ready.”

Mott said both Resilience and Just F Y I will have one more work next Sunday or Monday.

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