After he pulled up from his work, he came to a walk and was asked to walk another lap around the main track.

He may lose the Derby but it won’t be because he’s undertrained. He went smoothly throughout in :24.40 and :36.60 and got to the wire under light coaxing in 1.01. This is a prime case of the inmates running the prison but by the time he saw the 5/8 pole he decided to work. The plan was to break off at the 3/4 pole if the beast so desired.

He had the same look on him as Russell Crowe in “Gladiator” as he entered the Coliseum. May 3 – The “Iron Horse” with a mind and a will of his own entered the building at 8:35 a.m. He also will have his final drill for the roses tomorrow. Like the favorite (Nyquist), he got a little sweat on his neck but this is of little or no concern. May 1 – He also galloped well for Asmussen. We find out Saturday if he is good enough. He was on his own throughout and has been moving like a happy horse this week. Like so many others, I’m anxious to see if what we saw in the Santa Anita Derby was a result of a wet surface and a wicked pace or whether he is truly an emerging star and I was hoping to get a clue to that today but such was not the case. It was your typical “don’t leave your race on the track work.” He also threw his ears up as entered the backstretch. This was an appropriate work considering he’s exiting a very powerful win. Somewhat lanky colt eased away from the 5/8 pole and caught his fluid stride while going easy throughout.

Given eight weeks since his last race by design, he gives Pletcher another contender in the Derby. He did not get washy as he has been known to do in the past, and bested a top prospect. Worked outside of recent impressive allowance winner Stradavari and proved best despite appearing to lose some focus past the wire. May 3 – Danzing Candy had a good first day. May 1 – Galloped with his blinkers on and was strong. He looked fine in this leg stretcher and appears to be coming into this the right way. A mirror image of his stablemate’s work (Gun Runner). He will get his chance a week from today. The gallop out was fine and as he entered the backstretch his ears went up indicating he was looking for more. He seemed to lose perhaps a little interest nearing the wire but a light nudge from Tammy Fox got his interest back and he worked nicely to the 7/8 pole. The Blue Grass winner was just one of two Derby horses to work Saturday and it was evident he exited his recent victory in fine shape as he showed good energy when he broke off at the 1/2 mile pole. See them below and note that Nyquist, the favorite, did his work at Keeneland.Īpril 30 – :12, :23.40, :47.40, gallop out in 1:13.40 and 1:28.40. Young shared his workout reports from Derby 142 contenders' final breezes under the Twin Spires with Churchill's publicity department. So yes, the 35-year veteran analyst knows what he's looking for in a horse. A year ago, following American Pharoah's final workout at Churchill Downs toward the Kentucky Derby, private clocker Gary Young said the eventual Triple Crown winner 'might be the best horse I’ve ever seen.' In other interviews, he predicted a sweep of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Derby clocker report