Keeneland news: Final Derby decision pends for Plus Que Parfait
On March 30 at Meydan, Plus Que Parfait won the UAE Derby (G2) for owner Imperial Racing. The victory means the son of Point of Entry has a guaranteed spot in the 2019 Kentucky Derby starting gate with 104 qualifying points.
“He got in to Churchill last night,” Walsh said about Plus Que Parfait. “He had a little jog this morning to gradually get him back in training. He is going to have to really come back in good shape (to run in the Derby.) He has the right mentality for the Derby; nothing really bothers him. We saw that with the way he handled everything in Dubai. That was a good experience for him to learn from.”
Plus Que Parfait spent extra time in Dubai before embarking on his return to America.
“That gives horses a chance to recuperate, put some weight back on and rehydrate,” Walsh said.
Walsh said Derby plans are contingent on how well Plus Que Parfait bounces back from his most recent race.
“The next week to 10 days will be very important,” he said “If he is not (100%) we will rethink his (next start).”
Plans call for Plus Que Parfait to jog again Saturday with a possible gallop on Sunday and daily gallops thereafter. If he shows good energy, Walsh said Plus Que Parfait will have an easy half-mile breeze April 19 or 20.
THE WORKS BEGIN FOR CODE OF HONOR
William S. Farish’s Code of Honor, one of the leading contenders for the Derby, worked a half-mile in :49 over a fast track Friday morning at Keeneland.
Out at 6:15 a.m. before drenching rain turned the track muddy, Code of Honor completed his final quarter mile in :23.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80.
“He looked good,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “I was pleased with the way he went off and he galloped out well. I was excited about it.”
The work was the first for Code of Honor since finishing third in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 30 at Gulfstream Park. Prior to that, Code of Honor won the Fountain of Youth (G2), also at Gulfstream.
“I will probably have Johnny (Velazquez) work him in seven or eight days and then have his final work at Churchill,” said McGaughey, who won the 2013 Kentucky Derby with Orb.
TALK VEUVE TO ME POSSIBLE FOR HUMANA DISTAFF
Trainer and co-owner Rodolphe Brisset reported via text Friday morning that Talk Veuve to Me remains on track for a possible start in the Humana Distaff (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs following her front-running 2¼-length victory here Thursday in her 2019 debut.
“We got what we needed to look at the Humana,” Brisset said from Oaklawn Park, where he will saddle Quip in Saturday’s Oaklawn Handicap (G2). “She will need to step up for sure. That race should do her good, and we will see how she trains and go from there.”
Brisset owns Talk Veuve to Me with Team Valor International and Stephen McKay.
Brisset also said Michael Ryan’s Positive Spirit, second in last Saturday’s Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct, is back at Keeneland and remains possible for a start in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks on May 3.
Positive Spirit is a half-sister to 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming.