Trojan Nation ‘happy' horse after work

Trojan Nation, a surprise second at 81-1 in the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9, worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 at Santa Anita on Thursday in preparation for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.

Trained by Paddy Gallagher, Trojan Nation is a maiden after six races and will be a longshot in the Kentucky Derby. On Thursday, Trojan Nation worked alone.

“He seemed to do it the right way,” Gallagher said. “He seems quite happy.”

Trojan Nation is scheduled to be flown to Kentucky on Monday. Aaron Gryder has the mount on Trojan Nation, who is by Street Cry. Before the Wood Memorial, Trojan Nation’s best efforts were third-place finishes in two maiden races at Santa Anita and one at Del Mar.

In the Wood Memorial, Trojan Nation closed from last in a field of eight to finish a head behind Outwork.