'Good chance' Geroux gets Noble Indy's Kentucky Derby 2018 mount

For the first time in three days, a fast track awaited trainer Todd Pletcher's four 2018 Kentucky Derby hopefuls Thursday morning, a day before their final works for the Run for the Roses. 

All four galloped 1 3/8 miles during the 7:30-7:45 a.m. ET training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses. As usual, Amelia Green was on Audible, Nick Bush on Magnum Moon, Carlos Cano on Noble Indy and 

Adele Bellinger on Vino Rosso.

“They all galloped well and it was nice to see a fast track,” said Pletcher, who is looking forward to the Friday works.

“They all have different personalities. We are not looking to set any track records, just good maintenance works. Three of them will work at 7:30. Javier Castellano will be on Audible, John Velazquez on Vino Rosso and Nick (Bush) on Magnum Moon. Noble Indy will work at 9 o'clock with Florent Geroux up.”

Luis Saez is the Derby rider for Magnum Moon and Pletcher said there was a “good chance” Geroux would wind up on Noble Indy.

A little more than an hour after this year’s Derby contingent worked, Always Dreaming, the 2017 Derby winner, tuned up for next Friday’s 15th running of the $400,000 Alysheba (GII) by working a half-mile in :49.20 under Bush.

Churchill Downs clockers caught Always Dreaming in fractions of :12.80, :25, :49.20 and then galloping out five furlongs in 1:02, six furlongs in 1:14.80 and seven-eighths in 1:28.40. The half-mile work was the 18th fastest of 50 at the distance.

“I was very happy with him. He was very enthusiastic and galloped out strong,” Pletcher said. “Nick had to reach up and get him to slow down at the half-mile pole by the kitchen.”

With the Breeders’ Cup World Championships here this year, Always Dreaming could return here in the fall for a run in the Classic (GI).

“That would be ideal, but let’s see him get through the Alysheba first,” Pletcher said.