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horse racing kentucky derby2019 Kentucky Derby Track Notes

Date: 4/21/2019

All days: 4/20, 4/21, 4/22, 4/23, 4/24, 4/25, 4/26, 4/27, 4/28, 4/28, 4/29, 4/30, 5/01, 5/02

Weather once again affected the Kentucky Derby workouts on Sunday. Although the rain ended Saturday evening, dense fog rolled in and made many trainers, once again, change their workout pattern for their Derby and Oaks contenders.

The fog did not stop UAE Derby (G2) winner Plus Que Parfait, who breezed a half-mile under trainer Brendan Walsh's assistant and exercise rider Tom Malloy. The work did not receive an official time due to the fog hindering the view of the clockers.

Louisiana Derby (G2) hero By My Standards, Wood Memorial (G2) winner Tacitus, and Louisiana Derby (G2) victor Street Band are all scheduled to breeze Monday.

The National Weather Service calls for temperatures in the low 50s and clear skies Monday morning for training with highs progressing into the 70s.

From a Churchill Downs press release:

BY MY STANDARDS – Chester Thomas' Allied Racing Stable's Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards galloped about 1 1/2 miles at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with exercise rider Simon Camacho aboard. "I keep changing it up but the plan is to work him Monday," trainer Bret Calhoun said. "I was trying to dodge the weather to get a fast track. Then, I had planned on flying to Ocala for the OBS Sale and my flight plans got altered. Now, we'll be able to plan on working Monday." Jockey Gabriel Saez is likely to breeze By My Standards.

COUNTRY HOUSE / TACITUS – Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's duo of Arkansas Derby third-place finisher Country House and Wood Memorial winner Tacitus both galloped about 1 1/2 miles Sunday morning during the Derby and Oaks training session. "I think we've got two legitimate horses for the Kentucky Derby," Mott said. "I think both of these horses can get the 10 furlongs with their breeding which knocks out a lot of questions for many horses that enter the Derby. It's easier to find a 10-furlong turf horse than it is a dirt one. You really never know if a horse can get the 1 1/4 until you try it."

Tacitus, one of the likely top considerations for the Kentucky Derby following his troubled trip in the Wood Memorial, is scheduled to breeze at 7:30 a.m. Monday. "He's a lightly-raced horse but has been perfect since the beginning of the year," Mott said. "He ran a very good race in the Tampa Bay Derby and a very good race in the Wood Memorial."

Mott's other Derby hope, Country House, only has one victory in six starts but the consistent son of Lookin at Lucky has banked $260,165. "Country House is more of an underdog and hasn't really accomplished as much yet as Tacitus," Mott said. "He keeps knocking at the door and running at the end. He's the type of horse that would benefit from a fact pace in the Derby and hopefully that's the case and he can pick up the pieces." Mott has not confirmed a rider for Country House.

IMPROBABLE – With the weather and track conditions improving, WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and Starlight Racing's Improbable went out for a gallop under exercise rider Jose Contreras when the track reopened following a harrow break. "We galloped today, a mile and a half, he went very nice," said Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert. "The track was in excellent shape – we had a lot of rain yesterday. We're just waiting for Bob to give us further instructions." Improbable, the Arkansas Derby and Rebel runner-up, is expected to breeze at some point this week.

LONG RANGE TODDYRebel (G2) winner Long Range Toddy had a light 1 1/2-mile gallop Sunday at 7:30 a.m. for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Long Range Toddy is stabled in Barn 38.

OMAHA BEACH – It was a busy morning at Barn 28 for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella as his Derby hope Omaha Beach returned to the track, but before he did, he was fitted with new shoes from his blacksmith, Ben Craft, who flew into Louisville from Southern California. "He cracked his quarter when he broke his maiden at Santa Anita at least two months ago (Feb. 2)," Mandella said. "That's like breaking your finger nail except that's like breaking your fingernail high on your cuticle. In horses, that's in the coronet band. So, it takes several months to grow down. We patched that and, since then, he's won the Rebel and Arkansas Derby. It's now a little over two months old and was due to be replaced today. So, I brought in my blacksmith, Ben Craft, from California and to reset it today and put new shoes on. Now, we're ready to go."

Omaha Beach galloped about 1 3/8 miles with exercise rider Taylor Cambra aboard at 9:40 a.m. "I'm a little excited, nervous, you name it," Mandella said. "I'm just glad to be here in Louisville."

PLUS QUE PARFAITUAE Derby (G2) winner Plus Que Parfait worked a half-mile Sunday at 7:30 a.m. for locally-based trainer Brendan Walsh. However, the work did not receive an official time due to the fog hindering the view of the Churchill Downs clockers.

"It was a shame about the fog," Walsh said. "I had one of my assistants on the phone at the half-mile pole to warn me on the frontside and I had him in :49.40. It was exactly what I wanted." Plus Que Parfait is stabled in Barn 9.

ALSO ELIGIBLES – Currently on the outside looking in at No. 22 on the Kentucky Derby preference list, Signalman was reported to be in "great shape" Sunday morning from trainer Kenny McPeek's assistant Greg Geier following his five-furlong breeze in :59.60 Saturday. The colt had a scheduled walk day.

Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd.'s Kentucky-bred colt, Anothertwistafate, trained by Blaine Wright, was on the track Sunday morning with exercise rider Jose Silva. The colt emerged in good shape after finishing second to upset winner Owendale in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland on April 13. "He was out for just a gallop," said exercise rider Silva afterwards. "The track was a little wet, but not too much."

Silverton Hill LLC's Sueno, who finished third in the Lexington in his last start, was out on the track with exercise rider Juan Diaz. "He had a nice, easy gallop after walking a couple of days," said Julie Clark, assistant to trainer Keith Desormeaux. "He's a real calm, quiet horse, but he seemed a little lively today." Sueno ranks 24th on the Derby points leaderboard, so he's on the outside looking in, and would need four scratches to make the field of 20. "It's a little challenging, and we'd sure like to get there for the owners," Clark said. "We sure don't wish anyone ill will, but we'll see how the chips fall."

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 145th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) to be run for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 4: By My Standards (jockey Gabriel Saez), Code of Honor (John Velazquez), Country House (undecided), Cutting Humor (undecided), Game Winner (Joel Rosario), Gray Magician (undecided), Haikal (Rajiv Maragh), Improbable (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Long Range Toddy (Jon Court), Master Fencer (JPN) (Julien Leparoux), Maximum Security (Luis Saez), Omaha Beach (Mike Smith), Plus Que Parfait (Ricardo Santana Jr.), Roadster (Florent Geroux), Spinoff (Manny Franco), Tacitus (Jose Ortiz), Tax (Junior Alvarado), Vekoma (Javier Castellano), War of Will (Tyler Gaffalione), Win Win Win (Julien Pimentel).

Next up in order of preference: Bodexpress (undecided), Signalman (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Anothertwistafate (undecided) and Sueno (undecided).

KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE – Six Column Stables and Randy Bloch's Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Champagne Anyone had a scheduled walk day on Easter Sunday as trainer Ian Wilkes celebrated the holiday with his family and new grandson Rory. Champagne Anyone is scheduled to breeze Monday with Wilkes' son-in-law Chris Landeros up.

LADY APPLE – Phoenix Thoroughbred III and KatieRich Stables' Fantasy Stakes (G3) winner Lady Apple breezed a half-mile Sunday for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. "She looked good from the pony but we really couldn't see much," assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. Lady Apple did not receive an official time due to the weather conditions.

LIORAFair Grounds Oaks (G2) runner-up Liora galloped about 1 1/2 miles Sunday during the 7:30 a.m. exclusive training window. Trainer Wayne Catalano was not at Churchill Downs Sunday but expects to return Monday.

OUT FOR A SPIN – Commonwealth Stable's lightly-raced filly Out for a Spin galloped at 5:15 a.m. for locally-based horseman Dallas Stewart. The filly by Hard Spun will attempt to give 59-year-old Stewart his first win in the Kentucky Oaks since winning the 1 1/8-mile race with Lemons Forever in 2006.

RESTLESS RIDER – Ashland (G1) runner-up Restless Rider had a scheduled walk day in Kenny McPeek's Barn 7 at Churchill Downs following her five-furlong move in :59.80 Saturday. "She's doing just fine," assistant Greg Geier said.

SERENGETI EMPRESS – When the track reopened after a harrow break for Derby and Oaks horses Sunday, Joel Politi's filly was in the group, with exercise rider Francisco Herrera. "She galloped a mile and a half, and she's going to do the same thing tomorrow," said trainer Tom Amoss. "Our plan, weather permitting, is to work Tuesday." Amoss is still evaluating Serengeti Empress, who bled in her previous start, the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), and whether she'll be entered in the Oaks.

STREET BANDFair Grounds Oaks (G2) upset-winner Street Band galloped about 1 1/2 miles at 5:30 a.m. Sunday at Churchill Downs for trainer Larry Jones. "She really likes doing her job and has been training well," assistant Corey York said. "She can be a bit quirky sometimes but she's maturing as she gets older." Street Band is likely to work Monday at 7:30 a.m. with Sophie Doyle aboard, according to York.

SHAPING UP: THE LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS – Likely starters in the 145th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) to be run for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, May 3: Bellafina (jockey Flavien Prat), Champagne Anyone (Chris Landeros), Chocolate Kisses (undecided), Flor de la Mar (undecided), Jaywalk (undecided), Jeltrin (Luis Saez), Lady Apple (Ricardo Santana Jr.), Liora (Channing Hill), Motion Emotion (undecided), Out for a Spin (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Positive Spirit (undecided), Restless Rider (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Serengeti Empress (undecided), Street Band (Sophie Doyle).

Next up in order of preference: Cookie Dough (Jeffrey Sanchez) and Dunbar Road (undecided).

EARLY LOOK AT POSSIBLE FIELDS FOR KENTUCKY DERBY WEEK STAKES

$125,000 WILLIAM WALKER (Entries taken Wednesday, race Saturday, April 27) – Probable: Bulletin (trainer Todd Pletcher), Jo Jo Air (Wesley Ward), Legends of War (Doug O'Neill), Moonlight Romance (Wesley Ward), Sovereign Impact (Bill Denzik Jr.) and Uncapped (Brendan Walsh)

$115,000 CHAMPIONS DAY MARATHON (Entries taken Thursday, race Tuesday, April 30) – Probable: Krewe Chief (Mike Maker) and Pinson (Randy Morse). Possible: Monongahela (Jason Servis).

$125,000 KENTUCKY JUVENILE (Entries taken Friday, race Wednesday, May 1) – Probable: Alcools (Wayne Rice), Alec and Arthur (John Hancock), Biddy Duke (John Ennis), Marva (Wesley Ward) and Two Dot (Hancock).

$115,000 OPENING VERSE OVERNIGHT STAKES (Entries taken Saturday, April 27, race Thursday May 2) – Probable: All Right (John Ortiz), Ballagh Rocks (Bill Mott), Bond Street (IRE) (Conor Murphy), First Premio (Mark Casse), Parlor (Eddie Kenneally) and Real Story (Ignacio Correas IV).

$125,000 UNBRIDLED SIDNEY (Entries taken Saturday, April 27, race Thursday May 2) – Probable: Luvin Bullies (Mac Robertson), Nootka Sound (Wesley Ward) and Pretty Greeley (John Ortiz).

$400,000 ALYSHEBA (G2) (Entries taken Monday, April 29, race Friday, May 3) – Probable: Bandua (Jack Sisterson), Bourbon Resolution (Ian Wilkes), Instilled Regard (Chad Brown), McKinzie (Bob Baffert), Pavel (Doug O'Neill), Prime Attraction (Jim Cassidy), Silver Dust (Bret Calhoun) and Tom's d'Etat (Al Stall Jr.).

$500,000 LA TROIENNE (G1) (Entries taken Monday, April 29, race Friday, May 3) – Probable: Blue Prize (ARG) (Ignacio Correas IV), Divine Miss Grey (Danny Gargan), Heavenhasmynikki (Bob Hess Jr.), Mopotism (Doug O'Neill), Secret Spice (Richard Baltas) and She's a Julie (Steve Asmussen).

$250,000 EDGEWOOD (G3) (Entries taken Monday, April 29, race Friday, May 3) – Probable: Cambier Parc (Chad Brown), Concrete Rose (Rusty Arnold II), Newspaperofrecord (IRE) (Chad Brown) and Winter Sunset (Wayne Catalano).

$250,000 EIGHT BELLES (G2) (Entries taken Monday, April 29, race Friday, May 3) – Probable: Bell's the One (Neil Pessin), Im Evin Im Leavin (Greg Tracy), Mother Mother (Bob Baffert), Queen of Beas (Jorge Abreu) and Take Charge Angel (Ben Colebrook).

$250,000 TWIN SPIRES TURF SPRINT (G2) (Entries taken Monday, April 29, race Friday, May 3) – Probable: Angaston (Lon Wiggins), Bound for Nowhere (Wesley Ward), Eddie Haskell (Mark Glatt), Extravagant Kid (Brendan Walsh), Mr. Crow (Ben Colebrook), Will Call (Brad Cox) and World of Trouble (Jason Servis).

$1 MILLION OLD FORESTER TURF CLASSIC (G1) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 30, race Saturday, May 4) – Probable: Arklow (Brad Cox), Bricks and Mortar (Chad Brown), Divisidero (Kelly Rubley), March to the Arch (Mark Casse), Markitoff (Mike Maker), Multiplier (Bill Mott), Raging Bull (FR) (Brown) and Ticonderoga (Brown).

$500,000 CHURCHILL DOWNS (G1) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 30, race Saturday, May 4) – Probable: Bobby's Wicked One (Al Stall Jr.), Do Share (Mike Maker), Limousine Liberal (Ben Colebrook), Promises Fulfilled (Dale Romans), Recruiting Ready (Stan Hough) and Warrior's Club (D. Wayne Lukas).

$500,000 HUMANA DISTAFF (G1) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 30, race Saturday, May 4) – Probable: Amy's Challenge (Mac Robertson), Dream Tree (Bob Baffert), Marley's Freedom (Bob Baffert), Shamrock Rose (Mark Casse) and Talk Veuve to Me (Rodolphe Brisset).

$400,000 AMERICAN TURF (G2) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 30, race Saturday, May 4) – Probable: A Thread of Blue (Kiaran McLaughlin), Casa Creed (Bill Mott), Digital Age (IRE) (Chad Brown), Forever Kid (Antonio Sano), Henley's Joy (Mike Maker), Louder Than Bombs (David Fawkes), Marquee Prince (Brad Cox), Seismic Value (Mott) and Weekly Call (Vickie Foley).

$400,000 LONGINES DISTAFF TURF MILE (G2) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 30, race Saturday, May 4) – Probable: Beau Recall (IRE) (Brad Cox), Capla Temptress (IRE) (Bill Mott), Daddy Is A Legend (George Weaver), Environs (GB) (Chad Brown), Got Stormy (Mark Casse), Precieuse (IRE) (Brown), Raven's Lady (GB) (James Cassidy), Take These Chains (Matt Hogan) and Valedictorian (Kelly Breen).

$400,000 PAT DAY MILE (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 30, race Saturday, May 4) – Probable: Dream Maker (Mark Casse), Frolic More (Dallas Stewart), Global Campaign (Stan Hough), Great Success (Gustavo Delgado), High Crime (Darrin Miller), Hog Creek Hustle (Vickie Foley), Lexitonian (Jack Sisterson), Manny Wah (Wayne Catalano) and Mr. Money (Bret Calhoun).

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