CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome was an eager colt at the start of a half-mile workout Saturday at Los Alamitos.
The favorite for the Kentucky Derby next Saturday, California Chrome worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds under regular rider Victor Espinoza. The work could have been much quicker.
When California Chrome broke away from a pony on the backstretch, he was quick into the bridle, forcing Espinoza to take action.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Both the race shape and the pre-race preparation conspired against Candy Boy in his last start, the Santa Anita Derby, but both look to be far more in his favor for the next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, the race for which Candy Boy had his final workout on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.
The Razorback and Lady Razorback futurities, which are restricted to 2-year-olds bred in Arkansas, will be held at Remington Park this fall after having their first 20 runnings at Louisiana Downs. The six-furlong races, which each has a purse of $50,000, are to be run on Nov. 8, said Deana Echols, executive director of the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders and Horsemen’s Association.
With 17 winners entering the final three days of racing this meet, Roger Brueggemann is a strong favorite to capture his sixth straight Hawthorne training title, but no trainer here has had a more efficient meeting than Hugh Robertson. Robertson, who wintered his main string at Fair Grounds, has compiled a record here of 10-6-3 from just 22 starters. Robertson, never a man to mince words, credited a lack of competition for his stable’s excellent showing.
Jockey Manny Esquivel was to resume riding Saturday in Chicago at Hawthorne after spending several months in New York and should have a decent chance to repeat as leading rider at the 2014 Arlington Park meet, which begins Friday.
Esquivel, who launched his career just over a year ago at Hawthorne, was the surprise leading rider last summer at Arlington, where he nipped James Graham, 83 wins to 79. Esquivel moved his tack to New York during the Hawthorne meet last fall and won 54 races at Aqueduct late last year and during the first three-plus months of 2014.
STICKNEY, Ill. – When River Bear rallied from 18 lengths back to win the Robert S. Molaro Stakes by a half-length April 19 at Hawthorne, he gave the startling impression of a 9-year-old gelding somehow still on top of his game.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The prospect of heavy rain here late Thursday night and into the morning fell well short of some dire early predictions, giving horsemen a “good” racetrack, though tighter than it has been, to train over Friday. The threat of possible adverse weather and track conditions had little to do with the fact none of the 15 potential Kentucky Derby starters stabled on the grounds worked Friday at Churchill Downs. The majority of that activity is scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday mornings with the forecast calling for clear skies at least into Monday.
ELMONT, N.Y. – The Belt Parkway was the conduit for the major activity Friday in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby.
One had to navigate the eight-mile stretch of highway – during rush hour no less – from Belmont Park to Aqueduct in order to see the three New York-based 3-year-olds put in their final serious workouts leading up to the Run for the Roses.
At Aqueduct, Withers and Gotham winner Samraat worked a mile in 1:45.91 shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Cody Autrey sent 15 horses to California on Thursday, and plans to have as many 30 runners racing in the state through late November, he said on Friday.
Autrey, 34, had a stable in California from June to late September last year, winning with 6 of 54 starters. He won with 5 of 32 runners at Del Mar, and finished third in the Best Pal Stakes with Guns Loaded.
