Gray Magician 'in terrific form,' gets Kentucky Derby green light

After working Saturday at trainer Peter Miller’s San Luis Rey Downs base in Southern California, Gray Magician is on to the 2019 Kentucky Derby, said Aron Wellman, president of co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Drayden Van Dyke, who rode the UAE Derby (G2) runner-up through five furlongs in 1:00.40, will have the assignment. The plane leaves for Louisville, Ky., on Monday.

Exiting Gray Magician’s final March 30 prep in Dubai, Wellman had said connections wouldn’t be headed to Churchill Downs unless “we know we have a loaded gun.”

“Obviously, the big question mark is whether the Dubai bounce will show up in Louisville or not and, frankly, whether he’s good enough when push comes to shove," Wellman said. "But he really had to prove to us throughout the entire month since he got back from Dubai that the Kentucky Derby was even worth considering. He’s done that and then some.”

Wellman said Saturday’s workout was designed to “apply some pressure” to Gray Magician, who also conducted a more maintenance-like breeze a week ago.

“All indications are that he’s in terrific form,” Wellman said. “It’s a really hard race to pass up with a horse that seems to be doing well and could very well be on the improve.”

Gray Magician ran second to Plus Que Parfait in the UAE Derby at Meydan, which runs on the Dubai World Cup (G1) undercard. In other starts this year, the son of Graydar was fourth in Santa Anita Park’s Sham Stakes (G3); fifth in the slop in an allowance flight out West; then second to the prolific Maryland-bred Alwaysmining  in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park.

Going back to his 2-year-old season, Gray Magician broke his maiden by 9 1/2 lengths on Nov. 24 in his first race since transferred to Miller. Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber are also partners in the colt.