With less than four weeks remaining until the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) and $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's duo of top contenders Epicenter and Echo Zulu returned to the work tab at Churchill Downs for the first time since their respective victories two weeks ago in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter, the likely favorite in the Kentucky Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:01 Sunday at 5:50 a.m. (ET) while his stablemate, L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' champion filly Echo Zulu breezed 20 minutes prior to Epicenter and completed five furlongs in 1:00.80.
Epicenter, with exercise rider Wilson Fabian up, worked outside of fellow 3-year-old Guntown through opening eighth-mile fractions of :13.40, :25.40, and :37. The duo stayed together for most of the breeze and completed six furlongs in a comfortable 1:14.60 and were up seven furlongs in 1:29.40.
“He's a wonderful individual,” Asmussen said following Epicenter's 2 ½-length win in the Louisiana Derby. “He's another product of Winchell and Dr. (Dave) Lambert's selection process. He had his early schooling at mom and dad's (Asmussen Horse Center) in Laredo, Texas. He came in highly recommended and has always been impressive physically. He's done well in his development and continues to improve as the races get longer.”
Bettors tabbed Epicenter as the 9-2 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Saturday prior to the runnings of the Blue Grass (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G2). He will enter the Kentucky Derby with four wins from six starts and boasts purse earnings of $1,010,639.
Echo Zulu, with Fabian in the saddle, worked inside of debut maiden special weight winner Belle Rebelle through opening fractions of :13, :24.40, and :36. The duo galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.40.
Unbeaten Echo Zulu was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2021 following her emphatic 5 ¼-length score in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Her 3-year-old debut was in the Fair Grounds Oaks where she dug in during the late stages of the 1 1/16-mile race to hold off Hidden Connection by a scant nose.
“She got a little tired in the stretch but she got the job done,” jockey Joel Rosario said. “She showed how much of an amazing horse she is. She dug in and didn't want to get beat.”
“She was such a brilliant filly last year,” Asmussen said. “She really has a straight-forward attitude. She got a break and to compete in the Fair Grounds Oaks as a prep, and to do what she did, when in the past multiple great fillies have won this race, she can now add her name to that list. We're very proud of that.”
Echo Zulu is a perfect 5-for-5 and is one of several fillies that could vie for favoritism in the Kentucky Oaks.
Next weekend, several Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders that are stabled on the grounds are tentatively scheduled to record timed workouts, including Cyberknife, Secret Oath, and Zozos.
Training hours at Churchill Downs remain 5:30-10 a.m. with half-hour renovation breaks from 7-7:30 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. There is a 10-minute period for workers only from 7:30-7:40 a.m.
The 15-minute training window reserved for only Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders will begin Saturday, April 23.
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