Three Derby hopefuls breeze at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two weeks away from the Kentucky Derby, the activity from Derby hopefuls is picking up at Churchill Downs. Three potential Derby starters, International Star, Danzig Moon, and Keen Ice, recorded workouts Saturday morning – with each work noticeably different than the others.

Louisiana Derby winner International Star was the first to breeze at the exclusive period at 8:30 a.m. reserved for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks runners. Working five furlongs in company with stablemate Dreams Cut Short, an older turf horse, he proved the far superior work horse of the two. After an opening three furlongs in 37.20 seconds, he pulled away by several lengths to complete five furlongs in 1:01.80 with his ears pricking crossing the finish line. He galloped out another furlong in 1:15.

His trainer, Mike Maker, whose Louisville base is about five miles away at the off-track training center Churchill Downs Trackside, chose to bring International Star to work at Churchill, rather than his home base, for a simple reason. “They run the Derby over here,” he said.

He said he was most encouraged by his horse’s gallop-out, and anticipates another moderate-timed workout next week, noting International Star is not a horse that carries extra weight.

Shortly after International Star completed his gallop-out, Danzig Moon, the Blue Grass runner-up trained by Mark Casse, broke off for a five-furlong work with Tepin, a graded stakes-winning older filly. The pair went the first three furlongs in a quick 34 seconds before completing the distance in 58 seconds. Danzig Moon, on the outside, was about a neck behind at the finish.

Keen Ice, who needs at least a couple defections to gain entry to the Derby if it is oversubscribed, was up next, covering five-eighths in 59.80 seconds for his trainer, Dale Romans. He breezed a furlong past the finish, and was asked at that stage by exercise rider Tammy Fox.

Later, track clockers gave him an official work of six furlongs in 1:13.20.

Although American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert, merely galloped after winning the Arkansas Derby last week, he made a good appearance, and drew the praise of Maker, who commented on the efficiency of the horse’s stride. “I don’t think he picks his feet more than an inch off the ground,” he said.

Several Kentucky Oaks fillies also worked Saturday at Churchill Downs, with Puca going a half mile in 48.20 seconds, Luminance the same distance in 46.20, and Birdatthewire five furlongs in 59.60.