Shirreffs gets Royal Mo ready in case he makes Kentucky Derby field

ARCADIA, Calif. - Without a guaranteed berth for the Kentucky Derby on May 6, there is no certainty Royal Mo will be sent to Churchill Downs next weekend. That has not kept trainer John Shirreffs from preparing the colt in the event a spot develops in coming days.

Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss already have a starter with Gormley, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby on April 8. Royal Mo was third in that race, beaten a length.

The Santa Anita Derby result has left Shirreffs hopeful Royal Mo can start in the Kentucky Derby, though he insists he will not be following the minute details of the Derby in coming days.

“Usually someone tells me,” he said. “We’ll see how it shakes out. I don’t want to put too much pressure on the situation.”

Currently, Royal Mo sits 23rd on the list of Derby contenders. He would need three defections to get into the race.

Sunday at Santa Anita, Royal Mo worked five furlongs in 1:01 in company with stablemate Kalei, who was given the same time.

Saturday, Gormley worked in company with a stablemate and closed from four lengths back to lead in the final furlong. Royal Mo’s workout had a different structure. By design, Royal Mo worked evenly with Kalei, a 3-year-old who was seventh in his debut on March 2.

“Gormley has got to finish,” Shirreffs said. “Royal Mo can match strides with anyone. He’s a got a big stride.

“He worked five-eighths and after the wire we let him gallop out strong.”

Royal Mo has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $267,200. He won the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes here in February, but was ninth in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 18 before the improved effort in the Santa Anita Derby.