Kentucky Derby 2018 Daily: Pletcher contenders 'execute'
Welcome to Horse Racing Nation’s Kentucky Derby Daily, which will each day leading up to the May 5 race at Churchill Downs detail all the news and notes related to contenders in one convenient space.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has previously brought to Churchill Downs a larger contingent for the first Saturday in May, but it’s widely considered his 2018 Kentucky Derby contenders are the classiest group yet.
So there was some relief for Pletcher on Friday when each of Magnum Moon, Audible, Vino Rosso and Noble Indy made it through their final pre-race works without issue.
“Absolutely,” Pletcher told a media swarm outside his barn. “This was an important day. Fortunately we were able to get perfect conditions on a good morning and all the horses doing what we were hoping they’d do.
“Sometimes you worry about how they’re going to get over the surface — how they’re going to handle it — but I thought all four got a good hold of the track and got over it very well.”
• Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon worked inside of Mauraud, completing four furlongs in 47.40 seconds under Nick Bush. Luis Saez has the afternoon assignment. Pletcher said the rail position allows a horse to “control the pace” and added it didn’t factor that the Malibu Moon colt tends to drift out in the stretch of his races.
“He’s not a horse that’s ever a problem in the mornings,” Pletcher said. “…Generally, he just seems to do it when he gets the lead in his races.”
• Under jockey Javier Castellano, Florida Derby winner Audible completed four furlongs in 49.40 seconds, finishing even with National Flag. This appeared an easier breeze for a horse who completed his final prep on March 31. To add, Audible isn’t known as a top work horse.
• Hall of Famer John Velazquez was in town for Vino Rosso’s half-mile breeze in 47.20 seconds. He worked outside of Outplay and produced an especially strong gallop out as the Wood Memorial winner continues to garner buzz for his morning training.
• While the other trio worked during the Oaks-Derby exclusive training window, Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy went out at 9 a.m. with new rider Florent Geroux in the irons. Pletcher confirmed Geroux will ride in the Derby and said the duo “executed the breeze.”
The other works
In company with recent maiden winner Longden, expected Derby favorite Justify covered seven furlongs in 1:25.20 at Santa Anita Park. When he’ll ship to Churchill Downs remains a bit of a question mark. He’ll likely travel with trainer Bob Baffert’s other Derby contender, Solomini, who will breeze this weekend.
Before the Derby-Oaks training window opened Friday, Lone Sailor, who trainer Tom Amoss is touting as a live longshot, hit the track under the lights, finishing a half mile in 48 seconds. His major piece of work for the race came last week.
Up next
Saturday represents another busy work day, both at Churchill Downs and elsewhere. My Boy Jack is expected to put in his first local breeze, while trainer Mark Casse will be on hand to see Flameaway under the Twin Spires. Champion Good Magic and the Dale Romans duo of Promises Fulfilled and Free Drop Billy round out contenders at Churchill.
On the West Coast, multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d’Oro will breeze at Santa Anita Park for owner and trainer Mick Ruis.
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