Master Fencer breezes, brings 'great closing speed' to Kentucky Derby
Katsumi and Yasuyo Yoshizawa’s Koichi Tsunoda-trained Master Fencer got his second feel for the Churchill Downs dirt Wednesday morning during the special 7:30-7:45 a.m. training session limited to 2019 Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.
The Japan-bred worked an easy five furlongs in 1:05.20 with jockey Julien Leparoux in the saddle. The pair will join again Saturday when they break from post 15 in the 20-horse field.
“He went really well today,” Tsunoda said through a translator. “We are pleased with today’s work. He didn’t work too hard, since he had a (strong gallop) at Keeneland on Sunday before shipping to Churchill Downs.
"He seems to be handling the dirt just fine. Even with a gate boy, he’ll probably start slow, as usual. He has great closing speed, so I expect to see that turn of foot on Saturday.”
Also Wednesday, making their first appearances on the track for the Derby were Tuesday arrivals from Florida: Maximum Security, Vekoma and Bodexpress along with the the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Spinoff and Cutting Humor.
“They’re in good shape," the trainer said. "They’ve settled in well and they went over the ground smoothly this morning. Knock on wood, our first morning went well.”
Cutting Humor, winner of the Sunland Derby (G3) on March 24, drew post 10 and will be handled for the first time by top Churchill Downs jockey Corey Lanerie. Stablemate Spinoff, second in the Louisiana Derby on March 23 in his most recent effort, gets Manny Franco in the boot as they’ll break from post 19.
The Florida Derby winner Maximum Security galloped a mile on his first day since arriving from his winter base at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Florida.
“He looked good; he’s acting good; he’s cooling out good,” said trainer Jason Servis.
Undefeated Maximum Security will be the second Kentucky Derby starter for Servis, who saddled Firenze Fire for an 11th-place finish last year.
The son of New Year’s Day began his career with a victory in a $16,000 claiming race for maidens at Gulfstream Park before going on to win two optional claiming allowance races and capture the Florida Derby by 3 ½ lengths, all at Gulfstream.