Hiroyuki Asanuma's UAE Derby (Grade 2) winner Derma Sotogake (JPN) recorded his first published workout at Churchill Downs on Wednesday morning with a :49.60 half-mile move in preparation for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on Saturday, May 6.
With exercise rider Masatoshi Segawa in the saddle, Derma Sotogake went through his routine 25-minute warm up in the one-mile chute prior to beginning his work. The son of Mind Your Biscuits exited the chute and began galloping around the six-furlong pole. Derma Sotogake started to easily pick up his momentum around the three-furlong pole and worked through fractions of :13 and :37.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
“I am really happy with how he moved today,” Segawa said. “He felt great. We didn't want to go too fast today so I had to keep a strong hold on him throughout and even then he performed brilliantly. Now I can start to get really excited about Derby Day.”
Derma Sotogake is stabled in Quarantine Barn 1 next to fellow Kentucky Derby contender Continuar (JPN). Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and owned by Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd., Continuar had his most serious training to date Tuesday at Churchill Downs when he picked up his gallop around the seven-eighths pole to about the three-eighths pole. The training was slower than a published workout but noticeably faster than a routine gallop.
Derma Sotogake and Continuar have been stabled at Churchill Downs for two weeks and several of their connections plan to travel to the U.S. during Kentucky Derby Week.
TRAINERS WATCHING WEATHER FOR WEEKEND WORKS – There are 13 Kentucky Derby contenders on-site at Churchill Downs and several trainers are keeping an eye on the local forecast before they plan their penultimate works.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's trio of Forte, Kingsbarns and Tapit Trice could work either Thursday or Friday morning. Pletcher was at Churchill Downs on Tuesday and plans to stay through the Derby.
Trainer Brad Cox reported his trio of Angel of Empire, Hit Show and Verifying would all work this weekend. Like Pletcher, Cox is also monitoring the forecast and, as of Wednesday, stated they could work Friday or Saturday.
Keith Desormeaux stated Confidence Game would work back Saturday.
Other Kentucky Derby contenders due to work at Churchill Downs this weekend include Rocket Can and Sun Thunder.
The post ‘Now I Can Start To Get Really Excited About Derby Day’: Japan’s Derma Sotogake Clocks First Breeze At Churchill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
