Kentucky Derby workouts: Danza looks strong off Arkansas Derby win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The prospect of heavy rain here late Thursday night and into the morning fell well short of some dire early predictions, giving horsemen a “good” racetrack, though tighter than it has been, to train over Friday. The threat of possible adverse weather and track conditions had little to do with the fact none of the 15 potential Kentucky Derby starters stabled on the grounds worked Friday at Churchill Downs. The majority of that activity is scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday mornings with the forecast calling for clear skies at least into Monday.

Danza and Intense Holiday , two of trainer Todd Pletcher’s quartet of potential Derby starters penciled in to breeze Sunday, continue to catch the eye. The former has obviously emerged from easily his career-best effort in the Arkansas Derby in good order, and a solid work Sunday would alleviate the fears his connections and growing legion of supporters might have that he could bounce off such a huge performance returning on only three weeks’ rest for the Derby.[bc_video_id:322409:]

Ride on Curlin also continues to impress with his energy level during training hours, and his final Derby prep, scheduled for Sunday, will be highly anticipated by those seeking a potentially live longshot on Derby Day.

General a Rod’s session piqued some interest, considering he trained in blinkers when returning to the track for the first time since a somewhat lackluster five-furlong breeze 48 hours earlier. General a Rod simply jogged a mile the wrong way alongside a pony before proceeding up into the darker mile chute, where it appeared he did several figure-eights before returning to the barn.

The addition of blinkers could be an indication Maker was not pleased with General a Rod’s apparent lack of focus in Wednesday’s work, which came, as have all his works this winter and spring, without blinkers. General a Rod, who is scheduled to breeze again early next week, has raced with blinkers on in his last four starts.

Two Oaks fillies, Fiftyshadesofgold and Empress of Midway, did work Friday.

Fifthshadesofgold was the first of the pair to go. She worked under the lights shortly before dawn, breezing an easy half-mile in 48.81 seconds before galloping out five-eighths in 1:02.89. Empress of Midway covered the same distance in a slower 49.72 under exercise rider Humberto Gomez but galloped out much stronger, five-eighths under slight encouragement in 1:02.81 before pulling up six furlongs in 1:15.80.

As has been the case for the last several days, the dead-heat Ashland winner Rosalind looked very sharp galloping Friday and continues to move in the right direction heading into the Oaks.