Kentucky Derby workouts: Hoppertunity, Danza among gallopers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 15-minute period immediately after the renovation break, between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m., is reserved each morning at Churchill Downs during the two weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby for horses under consideration for the Derby or Kentucky Oaks. That session seemed even more exclusive than usual Tuesday, with only a limited number of horses from those races on the grounds.

Tuesday at Churchill Downs

63 degrees, cloudy, fast

Four confirmed Kentucky Derby starters – Hoppertunity, Danza, Medal Count, and Ride On Curlin – turned in routine gallops over the fast track Tuesday. Two others, Commanding Curve, who now seems likely to crack the Derby lineup, and Big Bazinga, also trained during the Derby-Oaks session.

Santa Anita Derby runner-up Hoppertunity wasted little time getting his first feel for the racetrack. He shipped here from Southern California on Monday along with his Breeders’ Cup-winning stablemate, Ria Antonia, who looked strong galloping for the Oaks.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Danza made a nice physical impression and appears to have bounced out of his upset win in the Arkansas Derby well. He was joined Tuesday afternoon under the Pletcher shed by Risen Star Stakes winner and Louisiana Derby runner-up Intense Holiday and Spiral Stakes winner We Miss Artie, both of whom arrived from south Florida on a flight that included Fountain of Youth Stakes winner Wildcat Red and the undefeated Oaks candidate In Tune.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Derby workouts were expected to resume Wednesday, with trainer Mike Maker scheduled to van Fountain of Youth runner-up General a Rod over from his regular base at the nearby Churchill Downs training center to breeze during the Derby-Oaks session. Candy Boy, who arrived here Monday along with Hoppertunity and Ria Antonia, also is expected to test the local surface for the first time, but not work, Wednesday.

[bc_video_id:322055:]The tentative work schedule for the remainder of the week includes Maker’s two other Derby starters, Harry's Holiday and Vicar’s in Trouble, along with Medal Count on Saturday and all four of Pletcher’s possible Derby runners, including Vinceremos, the following morning. Ride On Curlin and Wildcat Red will have their final major Derby preps here either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the weather, with Tapiture likely to follow trainer Steve Asmussen’s regular routine and work back one last time Monday.

California Chrome, who will be the morning-line favorite for the Derby, will have his final Derby work at Los Alamitos and not arrive on the grounds at Churchill Downs until early next week.