Hidden Stash works bullet half-mile for Kentucky Derby at Keeneland

Hidden Stash began preparations for a likely start in the Kentucky Derby by working a half-mile in :47.80 Wednesday morning at Keeneland shortly after the track opened for training at 5:30 a.m. EDT. The work was the best of 23 at the distance for the morning.

Working in company with 4-year-old allowance winner Kentucky Ghost and unraced 3-year-old Social Chatter, Hidden Stash produced fractions of :12.60, :24.40, :36.60 and :47.80, catching up to his workmates at the wire after starting 8 lengths back. He galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:00 and 6 furlongs in 1:13.80 over a fast track with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard.

Fourth in Keeneland’s Blue Grass (G2) in his most recent start, Hidden Stash ranks 21st on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. The top 20 point earners to pass the entry box will be in the starting gate for the $3 million race. A few horses ahead of Hidden Stash are considered unlikely to enter.

Today’s work put to rest any concerns trainer Vicki Oliver might have had about Hidden Stash being tired following his Blue Grass run.

“I thought he worked really well and we beat the rain,” Oliver said, referring to a steady rain that began at 6:15 a.m. “I was going to work Thursday, Friday or Saturday. I was watching the weather and I wanted to get a decent work in, so we went this morning.”

Oliver plans to work Hidden Stash again on Saturday, April 24, and ship to Churchill Downs the morning of Tuesday, April 27. Owned by BBN Racing, the Constitution colt is familiar with Churchill, where he raced twice last year and picked up one of his two career victories.