McCraken works for Tampa Bay Derby

McCraken had his first workout since his latest victory when breezing a half-mile in company in 48.80 seconds Monday at his winter base at the Palm Meadows training center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

With regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. in from New Orleans, McCraken worked alongside his Ian Wilkes-trained stablemate Fifth Title, a 4-year-old maiden.

“I got him galloping out in 1:12 flat, then another eighth in 13 and 1,” said Wilkes. “I’m very pleased with the horse. All’s good.”

McCraken, unbeaten in four starts for owner-breeder Whitham Thoroughbreds, is being pointed to a return to Tampa Bay Downs for the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 11. The Ghostzapper colt won the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa in track-record time Feb. 11 in his 3-year-old debut.

Wilkes said McCraken “most likely” would breeze one more time, again with Hernandez aboard, leading up to the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby.

In Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, held last weekend, McCraken closed at 6-1, the lowest odds of any individually listed betting interest.