Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Mind Control's prep plans shift

Red Oak Stable’s and Madaket Stables, LLC’s Mind Control has been rerouted from Sunday's $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile to the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct on January 1, trainer Greg Sacco said Monday. The Daily Racing Form’s David Grenig was the first to report the news.

The Jerome is run at one mile and awards 2019 Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 basis. 

Sacco said the decision was made due to the travel schedule Mind Control would need to reach Remington Park in Oklahoma City. The Stay Thirsty colt is currently at Belmont Park and would have to fly out of New York to Memphis, Tenn., then to Fort Worth, Texas, before a van ride to his final destination.

“We had every intention of going to Remington,” Sacco said. “It was just too many planes and van rides. He’s settled in very nicely at Belmont. Today he had his fourth work locally over the track at Belmont and he worked super.”

Mind Control, who won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) during the Saratoga meet, worked in company over the training track and made a five-furlong move in 1:01.55. Sacco timed his gallop out to six furlongs in 1:14. 

“It was visually impressive to watch him work this morning,” the trainer said. “He had a nice bounce to him and he cooled out super, so we’re really pleased with the work. He’ll have two more works prior to the Jerome.”

The appeal of a short trip to Aqueduct from Belmont comes after two previous flights to Kentucky. Mind Control was the morning line favorite in Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) but scratched the day of the race due to a fever. He returned to his Monmouth base in New Jersey before flying back to Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, where he ran seventh after a troubled start.

“We had flown him to Kentucky the first time and he came up with a temperature,” Sacco said. “We’d flown him back and actually the second flight wasn’t great. He was a little funny after flying the second time, but then settled in nicely at Churchill. Our thought process was just letting him get back on his feet and the Jerome is just an easy 15-minute van ride from Belmont to Aqueduct.”

Following the Jerome, Mind Control could stay in New York, head to a Derby prep at Gulfstream Park or Tampa Bay Downs in Florida, or receive a break at Good Chance Farm, owned by Red Oak’s Brunettis, in Ocala, Fla.

“Right after the Jerome, we’ll see what makes the best sense in Mind Control’s interest, whether it’s staying up here or going to Florida,” Sacco said. “Either spot is OK. I’d kind of prefer Florida myself. For the horse, I always think it’s nice to get them down there in the warm weather as opposed to dealing with all the elements in the winter. Right now it’s cold, but we’ve been lucky the track is in great shape.”