Kentucky Derby Update: Thursday, April 22, 2021

Apr 22, 2021

Bernard Racing LLC, Tagg
Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Terry L. Stephens’ O
Besos was the lone Derby contender to breeze
Thursday at Churchill Downs where he cruised a half-mile in :48.

    With jockey Marcelino Pedroza
in the saddle, O Besos began his work at the
three-furlong pole and worked through early fractions of :12 and :36.20. Pedroza shook the reins at the Orb colt at the wire where
he picked up his tempo through a five-furlong gallop out of 1:00 and continued
six furlongs in 1:12.60.

    O Besos
will have a scheduled walk day Friday when at least 16 Derby and Oaks
contenders are scheduled to have their final works. They are: Ava’s Grace
(Oaks), Bourbonic (Derby), Coach
(Oaks), Competitive Speed (Oaks), Dynamic One
(Derby), Helium (Derby), Highly Motivated (Derby), Keepmeinmind (Derby), Known Agenda
(Derby), Malathaat (Oaks), Sainthood
(Derby), Search Results (Oaks), Soup and Sandwich (Derby),
Starrininmydreams (Derby), Travel Column
(Oaks), Will’s Secret (Oaks).

    The National Weather
Service is calling for a 90 percent change of precipitation Saturday morning in
Louisville and Lexington. At Keeneland, Derby
contenders Hidden Stash and Like the King could move their works
to Friday, according to their respective trainers.

    At Santa Anita, Zedan Racing Stable’s Medina Sprit
worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 and is slated to arrive at Churchill Downs
Friday at 1 p.m.

 

BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA,
SAINTHOOD – Friday will
be the work day for trainer Todd Pletcher’s Kentucky Derby quartet.

    “The forecast keeps
changing, but it is looking dicey for Saturday,” Pletcher
said after his runners galloped 1 3/8 miles over a fast track Thursday morning.
“Twenty-four hours won’t make a difference.”

    Pletcher
plans to work three of the Derby horses at 7:30: St. Elias Stable’s Known
Agenda with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
aboard, Repole Stable, Phipps Stable
and St. Elias Stable’s Dynamic One with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard,
and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.’s Sainthood
with exercise rider Amelia Green aboard.

    Calumet Farm’s Bourbonic likely would work at 9 o’clock with exercise
rider Hector Ramos aboard.

    Ramos was aboard Known
Agenda this morning at 7:30 and 20 minutes later on Bourbonic
while Green partnered Sainthood at 7:30 and Carlos Perez Quevedo
was on Dynamic One at 7:30.

 

HELIUM, SOUP AND SANDWICH – D J Stable’s Helium and
Live Oak Plantation’s homebred Soup and Sandwich stretched their
legs Thursday morning on the eve of their planned final Derby preparations.
Helium, with Paolo Levi aboard, and Soup and Sandwich, with Gilbert
Hernandez, both galloped 1 ½ miles for trainer Mark Casse.

    “They’ll both breeze
tomorrow; Helium will go around 5:25 and Soup and Sandwich will go at 7:30,” Casse’sassistant David Carroll said. “They’ll
just go an easy half-mile. They both had their major works last week and came
out of it extremely well. Tomorrow will just be a maintenance move. Normally
we’d go Saturday but with the forecast we’ll back it up a day and play it on
the safe side.”

    Helium, who is
undefeated in three starts, and Soup and Sandwich, who is 2-for-3, are both
lightly raced and full of potential, though that’s where the similarities end.

    “They are two different
types of horses to train,” Carroll said. “Helium is a really beautiful mover
and gets over the ground and trains into the bridle while Soup and Sandwich has
his own way of going, but when he breezes, he’s all business.”

 

HIGHLY MOTIVATED – Klaravich
Stables’ Highly Motivated came out onto the track under Peter Roman shortly
after 7:30 and galloped then walked to the starting gate during the 15-minutre
training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses.

    Trainer Chad Brown
was pleased with what he saw and will keep an eye on the weather for the Blue
Grass (GII) runner-up’s final work.

    “It went fine and it was
good to get that out of the way,” Brown said. “I’m just trying to figure out
now when I’m going to try and breeze. I’m going to watch the weather; I’d
prefer to work him Saturday morning before the rain comes. I was speaking to
the track superintendent and looking for a little guidance on that.”

 

HOZIER – Rebel Stakes (GII) runner-up Hozier galloped
a mile and a half at 9:15 under exercise rider Joel Osorio for trainer Bob
Baffert.

    Hozier is No. 21 on the Road to the
Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

 

KEEPMEINMIND – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress
Creek and Arnold Bennewith’s Keepmeinmind galloped a
mile and a half a little before 6 o’clock with Walter Davila aboard for
trainer Robertino Diodoro.

    Winner of the Kentucky
Jockey Club (GII) here last fall, Keepmeinmind is
scheduled to work shortly before 6 o’clock Friday morning.

    “David Cohen is
flying in tonight to work Ava’s Grace (for the Oaks) and Keepmeinmind
and then fly back to ride that afternoon at Oaklawn
Park,” said Sean Williams, assistant to Diodoro.
“We put Walter on him this morning to get a feel for him in case something
happens and David doesn’t get in.”

Keepmeinmind is No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky
Derby leaderboard

 

KING FURY – Fern Circle Stables and Three
Chimney’s Farm’s King Fury galloped 1 ½ miles during the
reserved time for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses. The winner of the Lexington
Stakes (GIII) at Keeneland in his most recent start
is expected to have his final workout on Saturday, according to Greg Geier, assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek. He’s at No. 21 on the Derby points leaderboard
and needs a defection to make the field of 20. 

 

MIDNIGHT BOURBON, SUPER STOCK – Winchell Thoroughbreds’
Midnight Bourbon and Erv Woolsey’s and
Keith Asmussen’s Super Stock each had an easy
Thursday morning as they readied for their final Derby works in the coming days
for trainer Steve Asmussen.

    “Midnight Bourbon stood
in the starting gate and galloped a mile and Super Stock backed up to the wire
and galloped a mile and a quarter,” Asmussen’s
longtime assistant Scott Blasi said.”

    Blasi
indicated that Super Stock will work Saturday, followed by Midnight Bourbon on
Monday

 

O BESOS –Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point
Thoroughbreds and Terry L. Stephens’ O Besos
worked a half-mile in :48 early Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.

    With jockey Marcelino Pedroza
in the saddle, O Besos began his work at the
three-furlong pole and worked through early fractions of :12 and :36.20. Pedroza shook the reins at the Orb colt at the wire
where he picked up his tempo through a five-furlong gallop out of 1:00 and
continued six furlongs in 1:12.60.

    “We’re really pleased
with how the overall work went and how strong he galloped out,” trainer Greg
Foley said. “Our horse has shown improvement in every start so far. We
think leading up to the Derby he’s going to keep showing that improvement and
run a big effort. He’ll be ready to make a run at the field at the top of the
stretch.

    “We had some distance
questions when we ran in the Louisiana Derby but he was the only horse in the
field that day who was making up any ground.”

    O Besos
will have a scheduled walk day Friday.

 

STARRININMYDREAMS – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm’s third-place Lexington Stakes
(GIII) finisher Starrininmydreams is scheduled
to work early Friday morning, according to trainer Dallas Stewart.

 

SHAPING
UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters
in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford
Reserve (Grade I) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 1 in order of
preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad
Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O’Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr.,
Steve Asmussen);
Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz,
Todd Pletcher);
Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight
Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux,
Brad Cox); Caddo River (TBA, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier
Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller).

 

Possible
starters within the Top 20 on the preference list: Dream Shake (TBA,
Peter Eurton).

 

Next up
in order of preference: Hozier (TBA, Bob Baffert);
King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek);
Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Starrininmydreams (TBA, Dallas
Stewart).

 

LONGINES
KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE – Three jockeys are expected to be
aboard their Kentucky Oaks mounts Friday morning for the final timed workouts
before the 147^th running of the $1.25 million race.

   
Florent Geroux
is scheduled to be aboard Travel Column at 5:15, David Cohen on Ava’s
Grace at 5:30 and John Velazquez on Malathaat
at 7:30.

   
Other scheduled workers are Coach (5:15), Competitive Speed
(7:30) Search Results (7:30) and Will’s Secret (7:30).

 

AVA’S GRACE – Cypress Creek Equine’s Ava’s
Grace galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Walter Davila at
5:30 for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

    Runner-up in the Fantasy
(GIII) in her most recent start, Ava’s Grace is scheduled to work Friday
morning with jockey David Cohen slated to be aboard.

 

CLAIRIERE, PAULINE’S PEARL – Stonestreet
Stables’ homebreds Clairiere
and Pauline’s Pearl both backed up to the wire and galloped a mile
and a quarter. Both fillies will have their final Oaks works Sunday.

 

COACH, TRAVEL COLUMN – Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) winner Travel
Column and Fantasy (GIII) third-place finisher Coach galloped about
1 ½ miles Thursday at Churchill Downs.

    Both fillies are
scheduled to work Friday, according to Cox.

 

COMPETITVE SPEED – John Minchello’s Competitive Speed
galloped two miles under exercise rider Juan Vargas at 9:15.

    Trainer Javier
Gonzalez plans to work Competitive Speed five furlongs Friday morning
during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Oaks horses.

 

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL – Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Crazy
Beautiful, sitting in third on the Oaks leaderboard, was out as the sun
bathed the track on the crisp, cold morning. The winner of the Gulfstream Park
Oaks (GII) galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Danny Ramsey during
the 7:30-7:45 a.m. training window reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks
hopefuls. She is expected to work Saturday morning, according to Greg Geier, assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek.

 

MALATHAAT – Shadwell Stable’s undefeated Malathaatgalloped 1 ½ miles under Amelia
Green at 7:30 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

    Malathaat
is scheduled to work Friday.

 

MILLEFEUILLE – Juddmonte
Farms’ Millefeuille visited the paddock then 1
3/8 miles at 7:30 under Ailsa Morrison for trainer Bill Mott.

PASS THE CHAMPAGNE – Trainer George Weaver said that all the heavy lifting is done for Pass the Champagne, runner-up to Malathaat in the Ashland (GI) in her
most recent start.

      “She
worked five furlongs in 1:00 on Monday (at Palm Beach Downs and she will not
breeze again,” Weaver said via text. “She ships Sunday and arrives at Churchill
early Monday morning.

 

SEARCH RESULTS – Klaravich
Stables’ Search Results, undefeated in three starts for trainer Chad
Brown, galloped and walked to the starting gate shortly after 7:30 under
exercise rider Walter Malasquez.

    Brown indicated the
daughter of Flatter will have her final work for the Oaks Friday morning.

 

WILL’S
SECRET – Willis Horton’s Honeybee
(GIII) winner Will’s Secret is scheduled to breeze at 7:30 a.m. Friday,
according trainer Dallas Stewart.

   

STAKES
PROBABLES – The following are the early
probable stakes race entrants for Kentucky Derby Week, according to assistant
racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork:

 

The 27^th
running of the $125,000 Kentucky Juvenile, run Wednesday, April 28 at five
furlongs, entries close Friday, April 23: Bohemian Frost (John
Ennis); Saucy Lady T (James Chapman); Shesgotattitude
(Ennis).

 

The 16^th
running of the $120,000 Opening Verse Overnight Stakes, run Thursday, April 29
at one mile on turf, entries close Saturday, April 24: Captivating Moon
(Chris Block); Epic Dreamer (Mark Casse); Sayyaaf (Mike Maker); Set Piece (Brad Cox); Spectacular
Gem (Jimmy Baker).

 

The 11^th
running of the $150,000 Unbridled Sidney, run on Thursday, April 29 at 5 ½
furlongs on turf, entries close Saturday, April 24: A Bit of Both (Mike
Maker); Ambassador Luna (James Gulick); Change
of Control (Michelle Lovell); Foxxy
Belle (Michael Ann Ewing); Into Mystic (Brendan Walsh); Lady
Grace (Mark Casse); She’sonthewarpath
(Steve Margolis); Winning Envelope (Chris Block); Yes It’s Ginger
(Greg Foley).

 

The 27^th
running of the $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco (Grade II),
run Friday, April 30 at 5 ½ furlongs on turf, entries close Monday, April 26: American
Butterfly (D. Wayne Lukas); Carotari
(Brian Lynch); Classy John (Dallas Stewart): Diamond Oops
(Patrick Biancone); Firecrow
(Ron Moquett); Just Might (Michelle Lovell); Sombeyay (Peter Miller).

 

The 37^th
Running of the $300,000 Edgewood presented by Newport Racing & Gaming
(Grade II), run on Friday, April 30 at 1 1/16 miles on turf, entries close
Monday, April 26: Aunt Pearl (IRE) (Brad Cox); I Get It
(Mark Casse); Oliviaofthedesert
(Kenny McPeek); Postnup
(Cherie DeVaux); Queen of the Green
(Jason Barkley). Possible: Jouster (Todd Pletcher),
Zaajel (Pletcher).

 

The 66^th
running of the $300,000 Eight Belles presented by Smithfield (Grade II), run on
Friday April 30 at seven furlongs, entries close Monday, April 26: Abrogate
(Steve Asmussen); Dayoutoftheoffice
(Tim Hamm); Euphoric (Bernie Flint); Slumber Party (Kelly Breen);
Sun Path (Brad Cox); Windmill (Larray Jones). Possible: Joyful
Cadence (John Ortiz).

 

The 18^th
running of the $400,000 Alysheba presented by
Sentient Jet (Grade II), run on Friday, April 30 at 1 1/16 miles, entries close
Monday, April 26: Attachment Rate (Dale Romans); Chess Chief
(Dallas Stewart); Maxfield (Brendan Walsh); Roadster
(Bob Baffert): Sonneman
(Steve Asmussen); Visitant (Bill Morey).

 

The 36^th
running of the $500,000 La Troienne presented by
TwinSpires.com (Grade I), run on Friday, April 30 at 1 1/16 miles, entries
close Monday, April 26: As Time Goes By (Bob Baffert);
Dunbar Road (Chad Brown); Envoutante
(Kenny McPeek); Paris Lights (Bill Mott); Sanenus (CHI) (Michael McCarthy); Shedaresthedevil (Brad Cox). Possible: Finite
(Steve Asmussen).

 

The 30^th
running of the $500,000 American Turf presented by Derby City Gaming (Grade
II), run on Saturday, May 1 at 1 1/16 miles on turf, entries close Tuesday,
April 27: Fire At Will (Mike Maker); Holy Vow (John Ortiz); Lucky
Law (Patrick Biancone); Palazzi (Mark Casse); Winfromwithin
(Todd Pletcher).

 

The 97^th
running of the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU, run on
Saturday, May 1 at one mile, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Excellent
Timing (Chad Brown); Gretzky the Great (Mark Casse);
Jackie’s Warrior (Steve Asmussen); Prevalence
(Brendan Walsh); Whiskey Double (Steve Asmussen).
Possible: Dream Shake (Peter Eurton); Dreamer’s
Disease (Robertino Diodoro). 

 

The 36^th
running of the $500,000 Longines Distaff Turf Mile
(Grade II), run on Saturday, May 1 at one mile on turf, entries close Tuesday,
April 27: Abscond (Eddie Kenneally); Blowout
(Chad Brown); Got Stormy (Mark Casse); Princess
Grace (Mike Stidham).

 

The 35^th
running of the $500,000 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery
(Grade I), run on Saturday, May 1 at seven furlongs, entries close Tuesday,
April 27: Bell’s the One (Neil Pessin); Gamine
(Bob Baffert), Sconsin
(Greg Foley). Possible: Finite (Steve Asmussen);
Hibiscus Punch (Justin Nixon); Unique Factor (Peter Miller).

 

The 86^th
running of the $500,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford (Grade I), run on
Saturday, May 1 at seven furlongs, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Charlatan
(Bob Baffert); Hog Creek Hustle (Vickie
Foley); Lexitonian (Jack Sisterson);
Tap It To Win (Mark Casse). Possible: Bango (Greg Foley); Shashashakemeup
(Peter Miller).

 

The 35^th
running of the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (Grade I), run on
Saturday, May 1 at 1 1/8 miles on turf, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Arklow (Brad Cox); Colonel Liam (Todd Pletcher); Digital Age (Chad Brown); Ivar (BRZ)
(Paolo Lobo); Masteroffoxhounds (Richard Baltas); Ride a Comet (Mark Casse);
Smooth Like Strait (Michael McCarthy). Possible: Flavius (Chad
Brown), Spooky Channel (Brian Lynch).

 

EDITORIAL PHOTOS
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Please credit all photos to Churchill Downs/Coady Photography.

 

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