Kentucky Derby: Sole Volante to arrive at Churchill Sunday after sizzling work
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sole Volante, whose last start resulted in a distant sixth-place finish in the June 20 Belmont Stakes, was scheduled to arrive by van Sunday at Churchill for the Kentucky Derby after sizzling five furlongs in 57.80 seconds over turf Friday at the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida.
“He worked very well and came back great,” said Andie Biancone, who not only is the daughter and assistant to trainer Patrick Biancone but also a part-owner in the Karakontie gelding with Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.
Sole Volante was among the early favorites for the Derby when it was still scheduled for May 2. With late rallies in back-to-back races at Tampa Bay Downs, he won the Sam F. Davis in February before finishing second to King Guillermo in Tampa Bay Derby in March. He then won a June 10 allowance at Gulfstream Park prior to running back 10 days later in the Belmont.