Kentucky Derby 2016 Notes: Temperamental Lani Has Unusual Workout

Koji Maeda’s Lani, winner of the UAE Derby (Group II) in his most recent start, worked three furlongs in :37.40 with blinkers on over a track labeled fast during the 8:30-8:45 a.m. training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders.

With jockey Yutaka Take aboard, Lani jogged right onto the track, galloping easily once around before beginning his work at the three-eighths pole. Clockers timed Lani in :14 for his first eighth and had a gallop-out time of :50.60 for a half-mile. The work was the fifth fastest of eight at the distance.

Lani pulled up at the three-quarters pole, backtracked to the mile chute where he walked for a few minutes before returning to the barn.

“He was a little shy to start, but after the quarter pole we got a good gallop for two furlongs,” Take said via interpreter Keita Tanaka, the agent for the owner. “It was supposed to be five furlongs, but he wanted to stop. Back home in Japan he has done that before, so it is not a concern.”

Take has ridden the Tapit colt in five of his six starts.

“His temperament is that he is not willing to run always,” Take said. “If he does (want to run), he has a big chance (in the Derby).”

And when would Take know his charge wants to run?

“After the gate,” Take said with a laugh.

Wednesday marked the first time Take had been at Churchill Downs since riding two horses in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup. Prior to that, he had ridden in the 1995 Kentucky Derby, finishing 14th on Ski Captain.

“That was schooling for me. It was a good experience,” Take said. “For all riders, it is extremely difficult to ride in the Derby and I know how precious it is. It is one of my biggest ambitions (to win the Derby) and to have a horse here is exciting.”

Take left Japan on Tuesday to come in for the work and is scheduled to return to Japan on Thursday. He will be back in Louisville next Friday.

 

 

BRODY’S CAUSE/CHERRY WINE – Toyota Blue Grass (GI) winner Brody’s Cause galloped 1 ½ miles after the renovation break with exercise rider Miguel Garcia aboard. Trained by Dale Romans, Brody’s Cause will be ridden in the Derby by Luis Saez.

Also galloping 1 ½ miles at the same time for Romans was Cherry Wine, the third-place finisher in the Toyota Blue Grass. Faustino Aguilar was aboard Cherry Wine, who stands 25th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

CREATOR/GUN RUNNER – Hall of Fame electee Steve Asmussen’s two Kentucky Derby hopefuls, Creator and Gun Runner, galloped a mile after the renovation break.

It was the first day back on the track since the duo worked Monday: Gun Runner going six furlongs in 1:12.20 and Creator five furlongs in 1:02.80.

 

DAZZLING GEM – Dazzling Gem, 24th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, galloped about a mile and a half after the break under exercise rider Fernando Espinoza for trainer Brad Cox.

 

DESTIN/OUTWORK – Trainer Todd Pletcher’s two Kentucky Derby hopefuls, Destin and Outwork, galloped after the break.

Ovel Merida was aboard Destin, winner of the Sam F. Davis (GIII) and Tampa Bay Derby (GII) in his past two starts. Hector Ramos partnered Outwork, winner of the Wood Memorial (GI) in his most recent outing.

   

DISCREETNESS – Discreetness, 26th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, had a strong gallop in company with Paul Griffith aboard for trainer Jinks Fires.

 

EXAGGERATOR – Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners and Rocker O Ranch’s Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Exaggerator was scheduled to land at Louisville International Airport before 3 this afternoon and then van to Churchill Downs.

Julie Clark, assistant to trainer Keith Desormeaux, said Exaggerator would go to the track in the morning.

 

FELLOWSHIP – Fellowship, 21st on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, galloped after the break under Brian O’Leary for trainer Mark Casse.

 

MAJESTO – Florida Derby (GI) runner-up Majesto galloped after the break under J.J. Delgado for trainer Guatavo Delgado.

 

MOHAYMEN – Four-time Grade II winner Mohaymen galloped after the renovation break with exercise rider Miguel Jaime aboard for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

 

MOR SPIRIT – Santa Anita Derby (GI) runner-up Mor Spirit walked the shedrow the morning after working five furlongs in :59.80.

“We are all good here,” said Jim Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, who returned to California after the work.        

 

MO TOM – LeComte (GIII) winner Mo Tom galloped two miles under exercise rider Mario Garcia, going onto a track labeled as “good” following overnight rain.

“He took to the track early (at 6:10) and that probably will carry over to his work Friday,” trainer Tom Amoss said.

 

MY MAN SAM/SHAGAF – “They all galloped super this morning,” trainer Chad Brown reported of his Derby duo of My Man Sam and Shagaf as well as his Kentucky Oaks contender Lewis Bay.

Daniel Bernardini partnered My Man Sam, runner-up in the Toyota Blue Grass in his most recent start, and Gian Cueva was on Shagaf, winner of the Gotham (GIII).

 

OSCAR NOMINATED – The Mike Maker-trained Oscar Nominated galloped 1 ¼ miles at the nearby Trackside Training Center under Joel Cano.

Oscar Nominated is expected to make the short trip to Churchill Downs Friday or Saturday.

SUDDENBREAKINGNEWS – Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Suddenbreakingnews jogged a mile and galloped a mile at 6:15 under exercise rider Ramiro Gorostieta for trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

 

TOM’S READY – Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up Tom’s Ready galloped after the break under Emerson Chavez for trainer Dallas Stewart.