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Sovereign Awards Derby & Auction Prices Santa Anita Derby Day Wood Memorial Day Kentucky Derby Contenders |
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All days: 4/24, 4/25, 4/26, 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 4/30
Thursday was a sad morning at Churchill Downs, as during the exclusive 7:30-7:45am training session for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses, Wild On Ice suffered an injury to his left hind leg that ultimately led to him being euthanized. Video for this morning's work can be viewed here on YouTube. Videos of individual horses in timed works can be found here.
From a Churchill Downs press release:
Ten hopefuls for next Friday's 149th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) took center stage Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. Leading the charge was probable morning line favorite Wet Paint who worked five furlongs in company with stablemate and Oaks hopeful The Alys Look in 1:01 for trainer Brad Cox. Also working for Cox was Botanical, who breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 in company with Flashy Gem. Four-time Oaks winning trainer Todd Pletcher worked Gambling Girl and Julia Shining a half-mile together with Gambling Girl being clocked in :50 and Julia Shining in :49.60 Pretty Mischievous worked a half-mile in company with Gilmore in :47.80 for trainer Brendan Walsh. Southlawn worked a half-mile in :48.80 for trainer Norm Casse. Wonder Wheel worked a half-mile in :47.20 for trainer Mark Casse. Flying Connection worked five furlongs in company with Olivia Twist in 1:00.60 for trainer Todd Fincher. Hoosier Philly worked a half-mile in :48.40 for trainer Tom Amoss. At Keeneland, Affirmative Lady worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 for trainer Graham Motion. Two Kentucky Derby hopefuls worked away from Churchill Downs Thursday morning. Patricia's Hope and Phillip Sagan's Two Phil's worked at Hawthorne going five furlongs in :59 with jockey Jareth Loveberry aboard for trainer Larry Rivelli. At Keeneland, Andrew and Raina Warren's Raise Cain worked a half-mile in :49 at Keeneland with Gerardo Corrales aboard for trainer Ben Colebrook.
 Angel of Empire on Thur.morning |
CONFIDENCE GAME Don't Tell My Wife Stables and Ocean Reef Racing's Confidence Game walked the shedrow today. "They all walk Thursdays and Sundays," Julie Clark, assistant trainer to Keith Desormeaux, said. "He's doing good. He went two miles Tuesday. Jogged yesterday and walked today. We think he is going to gallop tomorrow and have his last breeze Saturday." The plan is to go out with the other Derby entries at 7:30, entering at gap three. Regular rider Alex Cano will be on board. "I usually take him back up to the chute first," Cano said. "We'll stand before galloping all the way around and then pull up by the kitchen and come back."
CONTINUAR Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd.'s Continuar (JPN) walked the shedrow in the Quarantine Barn after working a half-mile in :50 on Wednesday.
DERMA SOTOGAKE Hiroyuki Asanuma's Derma Sotogake (JPN) walked the shedrow in the Quarantine Barn after working five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Wednesday.
DISARM Winchell Thoroughbreds' Disarm had an easy 1 3/8-mile gallop at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Roberto Howell in the irons.
The Steve Asmussen-trained colt is scheduled to work Monday.
 Kingsbarns on Thur.morning |
MAGE The lightly raced Good Magic colt, owned by OGMA Investments LLC, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing LLC and CMNWLTH, had another gallop Thursday morning. "He galloped a mile-and-a-half again today, but he did it at a higher tempo than he did yesterday," said Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant trainer to his father, Gustavo Delgado. "The way my father trains, he tries to build on each race," Delgado Jr. said. "He's showing improvement every time he goes out. He's switching leads perfectly. His exercise rider said he couldn't be happier with him." Regular exercise rider J.J. Delgado was aboard, and he's expected to ride him in his final timed workout. Delgado Jr. said the team is expecting to breeze Mage on Saturday morning. His Derby rider, Javier Castellano, was to arrive in Louisville Thursday.
Raise Cain Andrew and Raina Warren's Gotham (G3) winner Raise Cain worked in company a half-mile in :49 at Keeneland with Gerardo Corrales aboard for trainer Ben Colebrook. "Very good work well within himself," Colebrook said of Raise Cain, who finished fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in his most recent start. Raise Cain galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.80. No rider has been confirmed for Raise Cain, who is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs Monday morning after training at Keeneland.
 Rocket Can on Thur.morning |
SKINNER C R K Racing's Santa Anita Derby (G1) third-place finisher Skinner is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs Saturday. Trainer John Shirreffs reported Juan Hernandez will pick up the mount in the Kentucky Derby.
SUN THUNDER R.T. Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine's Derby hopeful walked the shedrow, a day after breezing a half-mile in :48.60 with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. Greg Geier, assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek, said the fourth-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland exited his workout in good shape. "He's fine this morning," he said.
TWO PHIL'S Trainer Larry Rivelli was on hand at Hawthorne Race Course to watch Patricia's Hope and Phillip Sagan's Two Phil's breeze for the final time ahead of his run in the Derby. Going five furlongs Thursday morning, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner posted a bullet going :59 flat. "He chased a pretty fast horse (stablemate Smokin Richie), and effortlessly ran by him," Rivelli said. "He galloped out three-quarters in 1:12. He couldn't blow out a match after. The last two works were almost identically the same, but I changed it up a bit by putting him back in company. I haven't wanted to work him every seven days because he's been racing frequently and he's fit. I just want to have him focused in on what he likes to do which is sit behind a horse and idle off until you ask him, and then make his move when it's time. And he's done that in both works. The track was in great shape today. It's all systems go and I couldn't be happier with how he's going into the race." Regular jockey Jareth Loveberry flew to Hawthorne for the drill then headed back to Kentucky to ride his Thursday mounts at Keeneland. Rivelli will bring Two Phil's to Churchill Downs on Sunday night and plans to have him on the track at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
WILD ON ICE The Texas-bred gelding clocked five furlongs in 1:01.40 and then was pulled up while galloping out down the backstretch. Wild On Ice was evaluated at the Churchill Downs Equine Medical Center and was subsequently transported to Lexington to Rood and Riddle Veterinary Hospital for further evaluation. Trainer Joel Marr and jockey Ken Tohill, who was aboard for the breeze, were en route to Lexington as well. He was found to have a fractured left hind hock and had to be euthanize. His owner/breeder Frank Sumpter Sr. said, "I cried with (trainer) Joel (Marr) this morning. It is a sad situation because this horse brought us so much joy," Sumpter said. "Joel told me last week we don't know how good this horse is; he just kept climbing the ladder and had been doing everything so easy. It is a sad deal that we'll never get to see what he could do. My heart is broken for Joel and his staff who practically lived with this horse. We are blessed to have him because he is a magnificent trainer and Ken Tohill is a great rider."
SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY Here are the horses (with jockeys and trainers) that are qualified for the Kentucky Derby and those on the also-eligible list (in alphabetical order with AEs listed last in preference order):
Angel of Empire (jockey Flavien Prat, trainer Brad Cox); Confidence Game (James Graham, Keith Desormeaux); Continuar (JPN) (Ryusei Sakai, Yoshito Yahagi); Derma Sotogake (JPN) (Christophe Lemaire, Hidetaka Otonashi); Disarm (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen); Forte (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Hit Show (Manny Franco, Brad Cox); Jace's Road (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Kingsbarns (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Lord Miles (Paco Lopez, Saffie Joseph Jr.); Mage (Javier Castellano, Gustavo Delgado); Practical Move (Ramon Vazquez, Tim Yakteen); Raise Cain (TBA, Ben Colebrook); Reincarnate (John Velazquez, Tim Yakteen); Rocket Can (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott); Skinner (Juan Hernandez, John Shirreffs); Sun Thunder (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Tapit Trice (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher); Two Phil's (Jareth Loveberry, Larry Rivelli); and Verifying (Tyler Gaffalione, Brad Cox)
Also-Eligible: Cyclone Mischief (TBA, Dale Romans); Major Dude (TBA, Todd Pletcher); and Mandarin Hero (JPN) (TBA, Terunobu Fujita).
LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE
AFFIRMATIVE LADY AMO Racing USA's Affirmative Lady, winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent start, worked five furlongs at Keeneland this morning in 1:01.40 with Kevin Lundie aboard for trainer Graham Motion. "I was very happy with her work this morning," Motion said of the move over a fast track. "It was very similar to last week (five furlongs in 1:01 last Friday). "I would have preferred to wait another day but it was too risky with the weather." Affirmative Lady is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.
 Botanical on Thursday morning |
DEFINING PURPOSE With regular exercise rider Shelby Spalding aboard, the impressive Ashland Stakes (G1) winner put in her usual mile-and-a-quarter gallop, without any issues, said Greg Geier, assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek. Plans still call for the Magdalena Racing, Collette Marie Vanmatre and James Ball filly to breeze on Saturday.
FLYING CONNECTION Brad King, Randy Andrews, G. Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Lee Lewis' Flying Connection worked five furlongs in company in 1:00.60 with Oaks rider Florent Geroux aboard. Working in company with Coleman's Olivia Twist, Flying Connection started 3 lengths in front and posted fractions of :24.80, :37, 1:00.60 and out six furlongs in 1:13.60. Olivia Twist, who was third in the Fantasy (G3) and a candidate for next Friday's $500,000 Eight Belles (G2), was ridden by Mickaelle Michel and timed in 1:00.20. "I wanted to work them together give them a little competition," trainer Todd Fincher said. "We got what we wanted. I thought Mickaelle did a good job with Olivia Twist." Flying Connection, winner of the Sunland Park Oaks (Listed) in her most recent start), had worked five furlongs in 1:01 on her own here on April 17 with Geroux aboard. "She went very good this morning," said Geroux, a two-time winner of the Oaks with Shedaresthedevil in 2020 and Monomoy Girl in 2018. "I've got two Oaks; now I need two Derbys." Geroux was the rider of elevated Derby winner Mandaloun in 2021. In Derby 149, he has the call on Jace's Road. Fincher, who is based in New Mexico, said he is in Louisville to stay through the Oaks. He said that Flying Connection is penciled in for two or three paddock school sessions and one more trip at least to the starting gate.
GAMBLING GIRL Repole Stable's Gambling Girl worked a half-mile in :50 in company with Julia Shining with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher. "The plan was to give them an easy half and they were both in hand the whole time," Pletcher said. "Very pleased." Runner-up in the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle (G3) in her most recent start, Gambling Girl will have a walk day Friday and return to the track Saturday.
MIMI KAKUSHI Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed AlMaktoum's Mimi Kakushi jogged a mile with the pony and then galloped a mile under Xavier Ziani. Mimi Kakushi is scheduled to work a half-mile Saturday.
PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS Godolphin representatives were on hand to witness the Rachel Alexandra (G2) winner Pretty Mischievous' final workout ahead of her run in the Oaks. Heading to the track at 7:30 a.m. with her Brendan Walsh barn stablemate, the 3-year-old colt Gilmore, Pretty Mischievous went four furlongs in :47.80. Tabbed to ride her in the Oaks, jockey Tyler Gaffalione was aboard. "She galloped out in a minute flat," trainer Walsh said. "And she was going easy too. She likes this track. She won her first two races here at Churchill Downs, and she ran third in the Golden Rod. Everything seems to be going smoothly enough. Hopefully she comes out of it good now and if we get a good week then we'll be all set." Walsh said the plan for Friday is to jog once around the track. Ahead of the Oaks, Pretty Mischievous will gallop each morning at her regular 7:30 a.m. time
SOUTHLAWN Robert Masterson's Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Southlawn completed her major preparation for the Longines Kentucky Oaks with an easy half-mile move in :48.80 Thursday morning. Trainer Norm Casse's exercise rider Joel Garcia was in the saddle for the work. "It was a fairly easy move and nothing flashy," Casse said. "She did most of her work last week. She's trained forwardly out of that move and we're ready to go." Jockey Rey Gutierrez will have the call in the Oaks.
WONDER WHEEL D.J. Stable's Wonder Wheel breezed four furlongs in :47.20 Thursday morning during the 7:30 a.m. Derby and Oaks workout window. The Mark Casse-trainee posted the second fastest time of 66 Thoroughbreds who went that distance. It was jockey Joel Rosario's fist chance to acquaint himself with the 2-year-old champion filly ahead of piloting her in Friday's Kentucky Oaks. "It went very well," David Carroll, assistant to trainer Mark Casse, said. "She's a filly that's very deceptive. Joel thought he went 49 or 50 (seconds) on her but she went 47 and 1. We warned him that she will fool you so to be careful (not to ask too much of her). She loped to the pole and eased off from there, and I thought he had her switched off, but I looked down at the clock and saw she was rolling. She just covers a lot of ground. She switched to her right lead on cue. He didn't move on her. And he couldn't believe that she went that fast. But that's her. She cooled out in two minutes, hardly had to drink any water." Assuming the weather cooperates, Friday's plan is to get Wonder Wheel back to the track to jog two miles. "Tomorrow we want to get her out to the track," Carroll said. "She'll jog, get her out there and stretch her legs. We'll make sure everything is okay with her and keep her in her little routine. Then she'll gallop Saturday and Sunday and possibly have Monday off."
ALSO-ELIGIBLE Richard Bahde's Taxed (No. 15 on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard) walked the shedrow at trainer Randy Morse's barn a day after she worked worked a half-mile in :47.60.
Stonestreet Stables' Julia Shining (No. 16) worked a half-mile in :49.60 in company with stablemate Gambling Girl for trainer Todd Pletcher. Humberto Zamora was aboard.
Gold Standard Racing Stable's Hoosier Philly (No. 17) worked a half-mile in :48.40 for trainer Tom Amoss.
SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS Here are the horses (with trainers) that are qualified for the Longines Kentucky Oaks and those on the also-eligible list (in alphabetical order with AEs listed last in preference order):
Affirmative Lady (John Velazquez, Graham Motion); And Tell Me Nolies (Ramon Vazquez, Peter Miller); Botanical (Chris Landeros, Brad Cox); Defining Purpose (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Dorth Vader (TBA, Mike Yates); Flying Connection (Florent Geroux, Todd Fincher); Gambling Girl (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Mimi Kakushi (Mickael Barzelona, Salem bin Ghadayer); Pretty Mischievous (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh); Promiseher America (TBA, Ray Handal); Southlawn (Rey Gutierrez, Norm Casse); The Alys Look (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); and Wet Paint (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox); Wonder Wheel (Joel Rosario, Mark Casse).
Also-Eligible: Taxed (Rafael Bejarano, Randy Morse); Julia Shining (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hoosier Philly (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss).
SECRET OATH WORKS FIVE FURLONGS IN 1:01 FOR LA TROIENNE Trainer D. Wayne Lukas watched last year's Kentucky Oaks winner, Secret Oath, prepare for the La Troienne (G1) with a five-furlong workout Thursday morning. With jockey Mickaλlle Michel aboard the Briland Farm filly for the breeze, Secret Oath was timed in 1:01. Tyler Gaffalione is to ride her in the 38th running of the $750,000 La Troienne, part of the Oaks Day undercard, a test for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up going 1 1/16 miles. "She was cruising, it was a beautiful work," said Lukas. "You don't really need to do much, since she just raced, with a three-week window this time." Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the $1 million Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, the Steve Asmussen-trained Clariere just managed to catch Secret Oath at the wire. "She was the best horse," Lukas said of his filly, who has earned $2.8 million. "I hope Tyler got a feel for what he can do and cannot do with her." Lukas praised the work that Michel has done with the filly. "That's an important part of what we're trying to do," Lukas said. "It's was perfect what she did with her, and she's done that all spring. She's a big part of it."
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 37th running of the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) on Saturday, May 6 for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Santin (Brendan Walsh); Spooky Channel (Jason Barkley); Up to the Mark (Todd Pletcher); and Wolfie's Dynaghost (Jonathan Thomas).
The 88th running of the $750,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford (G1) on Saturday, May 6 for 4-year-olds and up at seven furlongs (entries close Monday, May 1): Cody's Wish (Bill Mott), Endorsed (Mike Maker); Get Her Number (Peter Miller); Here Mi Song (Billy Stinson); Hoist the Gold (Dallas Stewart); Sir Alfred James (Lynn Cash); and Steal Sunshine (George Papaprodromou).
The 37th running of the $750,000 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery (G1) on Saturday, May 6 for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up at seven furlongs (entries close Monday, May 1): Frank's Rockette (Bill Mott); Hot and Sultry (Norm Casse); and Matareya (Brad Cox).
The 32nd running of the $500,000 American Turf (G2) on Saturday, May 6 for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Far Bridge (Todd Pletcher); Johannes (Tim Yakteen); Major Dude (Todd Pletcher); Mendelssohns March (Kenny McPeek); Mo Stash (Vicki Oliver); Scoobie Quando (Ben Colebrook); Talk of the Nation (Shug McGaughey); and Wadsworth (Brad Cox).
The 38th running of the $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) on Saturday, May 6 for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up at one mile on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Haughty (Chad Brown); Sharp Hero (Bradley Ross); Spenderella (Graham Motion); Sweet Dani Girl (Carlo Vaccarezza); and Wakanaka (IRE) (Bill Mott).
The 99th running of the $500,000 Pat Day Mile (G2) on Saturday, May 6 for 3-year-olds at one mile (entries close Monday, May 1): Bourbon Bash (D. Wayne Lukas); Dreaming of Kona (Aldana Spieth); Frosted Departure (Kenny McPeek); General Jim (Shug McGaughey); Gilmore (Brendan Walsh); Kangaroo Court (Tim Yakteen); and Tall Boy (Doug O'Neill).
The 29th running of the $500,000 TwinSpires Turf Sprint (G2) on Saturday, May 6 for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Artemus Citylimits (Mike Maker); Bad Beat Brian (Brittany Vanden Berg); Big Invasion (Christophe Clement); Carotari (Brian Lynch); Evan Sing (Al Stall Jr.); Go Bears Go (Wesley Ward); and Oceanic (Jordan Blair).
The second running of the $175,000 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes on Saturday, May 6 for 4-year-olds and up at one mile (entries close Monday, May 1): Caddo River (D. Wayne Lukas); Gulfstream Way (Rachel Sells); Masqueparade (Al Stall Jr.); Noble Drama (David Fawkes); Petulante (Victor Barboza Jr.); Promise Keeper (Dallas Stewart); Surly Furious (Glenn Wismer); Three Technique (Jason Cook); and Zozos (Brad Cox).
The 38th running of the $750,000 La Troienne (G1) on Friday, May 5 for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up at 1 1/16 miles (entries close Monday, May 1): A Mo Reay (Brad Cox); Classy Edition (Todd Pletcher); Kathleen O. (Shug McGaughey); Played Hard (Phil Bauer); and Secret Oath (Wayne Lukas).
The 20th running of the $600,000 Alysheba presented by Sentient Jet (G2) on Friday, May 5 for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles (entries close Monday, May 1): Milliken (Ian Wilkes); Rich Strike (Eric Reed); Smile Happy (Kenny McPeek); and West Will Power (Brad Cox).
The 39th running of the $500,000 Edgewood presented by Forcht Bank (G2) on Friday, May 5 for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Cairo Consort (Todd Pletcher); Girl Named Charlie (Tom Amoss); Heavenly Sunday (Brad Cox); Mission of Joy (Graham Motion); and Sabalenka (Whit Beckman).
The 68th running of the $500,000 Eight Belles (G2) on Friday, May 5 for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs (entries close Monday, May 1): Ami Please (Doug O'Neill); Grand Love (Rodolphe Brisset); Munnys Gold (Todd Pletcher); Olivia Twist (Todd Fincher); Positano Sunset (Ian Wilkes); Red Carpet Ready (Rusty Arnold); and Yvonne's Miss (Bill Morey).
The 13th running of the $300,000 Unbridled Sidney presented by Sysco (Listed) on Friday, May 5 for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Bay Storm (Jonathan Thomas); Caravel (Brad Cox); Mamba Wamba (IRE) (Brendan Walsh); and New Boss (Bret Calhoun).
The 66th running of the $300,000 Modesty (G3) on Friday, May 5 for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf (entries close Monday, May 1): Australia Mia (Michael McCarthy); New Year's Eve (Chad Brown); and Transient (GB) (Chad Brown).
The second running of the $175,000 St. Matthews Overnight Stakes on Thursday, May 4 for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs (entries close Sunday, April 30): Bagboss (Brendan Walsh); Bango (Greg Foley); Heart Rhythm (John Oritz); Miles Ahead (Paul McGee); and Pirate Rick (Lynn Cash).
The 18th running of the $300,000 Opening Verse (Listed) on Thursday, May 4 for 4-year-olds and up at one mile on turf (entries close Sunday, April 30): Camp Hope (Kenny McPeek); Churchtown (Roger Attfield); Gray's Fable (Brian Lynch); and Stitched (Greg Foley).
The 29th running of the $200,000 Kentucky Juvenile on Thursday, May 4 for 2-year-olds at five furlongs (entries close Sunday, April 30): Nullify (Wayne Lukas).
The fifth running of the $175,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes on Wednesday, May 3 for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/2 miles (entries close Friday): Good Skate (Mike Maker); Lone Rock (Robertino Diodoro), Next (Doug Cowans); Scarlet Fusion (Joe Sharp); and Warrant (Brad Cox).
The fourth running of the $225,000 Mamzelle (Listed) on Wednesday, May 3 for 3-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf (entries close Friday): Margoinabubblebath (Donnie Habeeb); and Sassy Nature (Luis Mendez).
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