Rombauer works for Kentucky Derby or Preakness

Rombauer, the winner of the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February, worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday in his first major exercise since finishing a well-beaten third in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 3.

The workout is part of preparation for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1 or the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 15.

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Trainer Michael McCarthy said after the workout that the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles would suit a closer such as Rombauer, who races for owners and breeders John and Diane Fradkin.

“He’s crying out for a mile and a quarter,” McCarthy said. “I think he would get a favorable setup, but that’s just me. I think he would like that racetrack.”

Rombauer earned a fees-paid berth to the Preakness with the win in the El Camino Real Derby.

In the Blue Grass Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, Rombauer was third throughout and finished 5 3/4 lengths behind winner Essential Quality, the undefeated champion 2-year-old male of 2020 and Kentucky Derby favorite.

McCarthy timed Rombauer in 48.60 seconds on Friday.

“He went easy,” McCarthy said. “He’s an average work horse, but I don’t think it took a lot out of him.”