Like the King puts in final Kentucky Derby work
Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Like the King turned in his final serious work for the Derby on Saturday morning at his Keeneland home base.
The colt, under regular work rider Julio Garcia, broke off two lengths behind stablemate Artie’s Princess, who earlier this month was named Canada’s champion female sprinter of 2020. Like the King collared his workmate easily in the stretch and was edging clear at the wire as Keeneland clockers credited him with five furlongs in 1:01. The duo galloped out in 1:15.40.
Trainer Wesley Ward was pleased with the tractability that Like the King – who also worked with Artie’s Princess last week – showed in the work after a spirited gallop Friday morning.
“He was nice and smooth down the lane. He had that filly measured, as he did last week,” Ward said. “He looked a lot smoother this week than last week. Last week he was kind of on the bridle. Today he was a lot more fluid.
“He’s a very difficult horse to gallop,” Ward continued. “He had a really, really strong last part of his gallop yesterday when a couple of workers came inside of him. So I wasn’t looking to go 59 or anything today.”
Ward plans to jog Like the King on Sunday and send him out for routine gallops Monday and Tuesday. He will van to Churchill Downs after that training session Tuesday.