LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Just a few minor touches were being made on Monday as the Kentucky Derby neared, with a field that looked as though it would be more than the maximum of 20, a development that would keep out several horses who want in.
Final works were recorded by Long Range Toddy here at Churchill Downs, and by Bodexpress and Maximum Security in Florida. Barring anything unforeseen, Bodexpress was going to wind up on the also-eligible list when entries were taken and posts drawn Tuesday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six months later, trainer Shug McGaughey still wonders what might have been in the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs. Now, the Hall of Fame trainer wonders what might be in the Kentucky Derby.
Maximum Security, the undefeated winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby, on Monday had his final serious training session prior to Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
Maximum Security will be credited with a half-mile workout in 53.80 seconds over the main track at the Palm Meadows training center in South Florida. Trainer Jason Servis clocked him a mile in 1:58.96 and Palm Meadows clocker Bryan Walls had the last half-mile of that move in 53.80 seconds.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The first time trainer Bob Baffert ran a horse in the Kentucky Derby, Cavonnier lost by a nose and Baffert was crestfallen, wondering if he’d ever get another chance.
As it turned out, he won the Derby the very next year, and the year after that, too. And in the two decades since, Baffert has been the most successful trainer in both the Derby and the Triple Crown, equaling and breaking records along the way.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jack and Laurie Wolf throw a party at their house here in Louisville every year on the night of the Kentucky Derby, but last year’s was far more celebratory than usual. Earlier in the day, Justify, a colt in whom their Starlight Racing partnership had a minority interest, had been draped in roses in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs.
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Hunted seemed far from a stakes prospect as a 3-year-old through the spring and summer of 2018.
The Hunted bore out on the first turn of his debut in a one-mile maiden race on turf, losing valuable ground. He beat one horse in a field of nine. The Hunted was gelded a few weeks later. Three starts at Del Mar last summer produced only a third. Off went the blinkers.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Paradise Woods is likely to have a two-race campaign later this spring and summer following her impressive win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita.
Trainer John Shirreffs said on Sunday that races such as the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on June 1 and the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on July 28 will be goals for Paradise Woods. The winner of the $300,000 Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles receives a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita in November.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Weather: Cloudy
Temp.: 54
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sunday was by far the busiest morning yet on the Kentucky Derby workout front this week at Churchill Downs, with plenty of action and a little bit of craziness packed into the 15-minute window set aside for Derby and Oaks horses immediately after the first renovation break.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Improbable wasn’t beaten all that far by Omaha Beach in the Arkansas Derby in his last start, and he’s training as though he’s fully capable of closing the gap. On Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, Improbable turned in his second drill here, his last in preparation for the Kentucky Derby next Saturday, with a work that was officially five furlongs but included an eye-catching gallop-out.
