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Derby Notes: Highly Motivated Impresses First Day At Churchill, Caddo River Confirmed To Race

Klaravich Stables' Highly Motivated, runner-up to likely Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start, made his first appearance on the main track at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning galloping under exercise rider Peter Roman.

Highly Motivated arrived Monday morning from Keeneland where he had been training since the Blue Grass. Trainer Chad Brown plans to work Highly Motivated on Saturday, weather permitting. Rain is in the forecast for Saturday.

Trainer Brad Cox reported Tuesday morning that Shortleaf Stable's Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Caddo River would run in the Kentucky Derby. He's scheduled to work Saturday.

Unseasonably cool temperatures are expected to arrive in the Louisville area overnight Tuesday with snow showers early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher sent his quartet of Kentucky Derby hopefuls out in groups of two for 1 3/8-mile gallops Tuesday morning.

Going first during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Oaks hopefuls were St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda with Hector Ramos aboard and Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One with Carlos Perez Quevedo aboard.

Coming out just before 8 o'clock were Calumet Farm's Bourbonic with Ramos aboard and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Sainthood with Amelia Green aboard.

Pletcher has penciled in Saturday as the work day for his Derby runners but noted, “There could be some weather coming in and we will watch that and could move the works to Friday.”

CADDO RIVER, ESSENTIAL QUALITY, MANDALOUN – Trainer Brad Cox confirmed Tuesday morning that Shortleaf Stable's Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River would run in the Kentucky Derby.

“If all goes well after his work on Saturday, we'll run in the Derby,” Cox said. “He came out of the Arkansas Derby in great shape. He's a sound horse who is training well.”

All three of his Derby contenders galloped about 1 ½ miles Tuesday morning. Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality trained at 5:15 a.m. with Edvin Vargas in the saddle. About 45 minutes later, Caddo River trained with Gustavo Abrego in the saddle. At 7:30, during the exclusive training session for Derby and Oaks contenders, Juddmonte Farm's Mandaloun trained with Fernando Espinoza in the boot.

All three horses are scheduled to work Saturday morning, according to Cox.

HELIUM, SOUP AND SANDWICH – Live Oak Plantation's Soup and Sandwich, along with D J Stable's Helium, galloped 1 ½ miles early Tuesday beneath the Twin Spires.

Trainer Mark Casse's assistant David Carroll reported both horses would work this weekend. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione rides Soup and Sandwich in the Derby while Helium will be ridden by Julien Leparoux.

HIGHLY MOTIVATED – With exercise rider Peter Roman aboard, Klaravich Stables' Highly Motivated galloped during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses.

Highly Motivated arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday and following shortly thereafter was trainer Chad Brown.

“He got around there good this morning and I am pleased with the way he shipped in,” said Brown, who has started five horses in the Kentucky Derby with his best finish coming in 2018 when Good Magic was runner-up to eventual Triple Crown winner Justify.

Highly Motivated closed his 2020 campaign with a track record-setting performance in the Nyquist Stakes at Keeneland. A third-place finish in the Gotham (G3) opened 2021 followed by the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass that marked his first start around two turns.

“I thought the Blue Grass was a really good race and that was the first time he had been on the lead,” Brown said. “I am confident he can handle the two turns and I think he will move forward in this race.

“We shut him down on purpose (after the Nyquist) and worked backward from the Derby. He has hit all the marks getting here.”

KEEPMEINMIND – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith's Keepmeinmind galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Enrique Benitez at 5:45.

Sitting at No. 22 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, the Robertino Diodoro trainee's next work date is to be determined.

KING FURY – Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury galloped a mile and a half shortly after 5:30 with Danny Ramsey aboard for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Winner of the Lexington at Keeneland in his most recent start, King Fury sits at No. 21 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. He is scheduled to work Saturday.

MIDNIGHT BOURBON, SUPER STOCK – Winchell Thoroughbreds' multiple graded stakes-placed colt Midnight Bourbon had a scheduled walk day following his five-furlong move in :59.80 Monday morning at Churchill Downs.

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen's upset Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Super Stock galloped about 1 3/8 miles with Juan Vargas aboard. He's scheduled to work Saturday.

O BESOS – Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' O Besos will have his final work prior to the Kentucky Derby Wednesday or Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Marcelino Pedroza will be aboard for the work and also ride O Besos in the Kentucky Derby.

“He's maturing even more as every day goes by,” Pedroza said. “The first time I worked this horse I couldn't believe he won going six furlongs. He loved the extra distance in the Louisiana Derby.”

O Besos had a light gallop Tuesday morning with exercise rider Margarito Fierro.

Pedroza and Fierro share a common bond entering the Kentucky Derby as both riders are overcoming life changing events. Pedroza lost his mother last year at 44-years-old to brain cancer while Fierro was once told he'd never gallop again because of colon cancer. TwinSpires.com's Andrew Brown reported the remarkable story here: https://bit.ly/3dwZBlx.

STARRININMYDREAMS – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm's third-place Lexington Stakes (G3) finisher Starrininmydreams galloped about 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Starrininmydreams sits No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 1 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller).

Possible starters within the Top 20 on the preference list: Dream Shake (TBA, Peter Eurton).

Next up in order of preference: King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Starrininmydreams (TBA, Dallas Stewart).

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Caddo River Targeting Kentucky Derby

Trainer Brad Cox confirmed Tuesday morning that Shortleaf Stable's GI Arkansas Derby runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Caddo River (Hard Spun) is being aimed at a start in the GI Kentucky Derby.

“If all goes well after his work on Saturday, we'll run in the Derby,” Cox said. “He came out of the Arkansas Derby in great shape. He's a sound horse who is training well.”

The speedy Caddo River, a blowout front-running winner of the Smarty Jones S., was fifth as the favorite after conceding the early lead to Concert Tour in the GII Rebel S.

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Liam’s Map Filly Puts in Bullet Work for Flying Fish at OBS

A Liam's Map filly (Hip 1188) from the Flying Fish consignment looks to become the next star to come out of Art Fisher's training center after being one of eight juveniles to work a bullet in :9 4/5 during the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale under-tack show Saturday. The start of the sixth and final session was delayed until 9:30 a.m. due to storms in the forecast.

“The third time I breezed her, I called the guy who owns her and said, 'This filly is diseased with speed.' So, I kind of put in her in the freezer and I didn't have to do much with her,” said Fisher. “I couldn't have been more proud of her. She went out in :20 4/5 and she x-rays and scopes perfect. She has been very good the whole season.”

Bred by Edwin Anthony, Hip 1188 was purchased by Fisher's longtime client Tom Bozarth's Arch Bloodstock for $50,000 at Keeneland September.

“She has done great,” Fisher said. “She has grown probably two hands. She has gained a lot of weight, never misses an oat. She lays down a lot and is very smart around the barn, very sensible. Anybody can walk her. You can walk her with a kite string, but when you put the tack on her, she knows what the game is about.”

Flying Fish's Spring Sale consignment is comprised of nine horses this year with the Liam's Map filly being the fastest worker. The second quickest breezer is a Medaglia d'Oro colt out of MGSW Tin Type Gal (Tapit) (Hip 320), who belongs to another longtime client of Fisher, Len Riggio of My Meadowview. The colt went in :10 flat earlier this week.

“I broke Tin Type Gal for Mr. Riggio too,” Fisher said. “This colt is incredible. A friend of mine, who is in the Hall of Fame, came by and said this colt had the best work he has seen in the sale.”

Tin Type Gal is one of many talented runners to go through Fisher's program over the years. He broke, trained and sold MGISW Secret Circle (Eddington) at OBS March for $165,000; and conditioned the top two finishers in last year's GI Pennsylvania Derby, Mr. Money (Goldencents) and Math Wizard (Algorithm). Fisher also broke and trained consecutive GI Preakness S. winners in Pine Bluff (Danzig) and Prairie Bayou (Little Missouri), both of whom were owned by John Ed Anthony's Loblolly Stables.

Anthony has since changed his stable name to Shortleaf Stable, but he still works with Fisher and they have a chance at more Classic success with GI Kentucky Derby contender Caddo River (Hard Spun). Winner of the Smarty Jones S. earlier this year, the homebred most recently finished second in the Apr. 10 GI Arkansas Derby.

“After I breezed him five or six times, I called Mr. Anthony and said, 'I am afraid to breeze him anymore. He is just too fast. He needs to get off this training track,'” Fisher said. “So, we sent him up to Brad [Cox] and the rest is history. He is a lovely horse and I couldn't be more proud of him.”

The other seven juveniles to breeze in :9 4/5 Saturday were: Hip 1036, an Upstart colt (video); Hip 1068, a son of Bird Song (video); Hip 1099, a filly by red-hot sire Into Mischief (video); Hip 1115, a Kobe's Back colt (video); Hip 1118, a daughter of Frosted (video); Hip 1140, a colt by Union Jackson (video); and oftlineHip 1174, a filly by Dialed in (video). There was one colt to work a bullet quarter-mile in :20 3/5, Hip 1135, a son of freshman sire Connect (video).

The four-day OBS Spring Sale gets underway Tuesday with sessions beginning at 10 a.m.

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Super Stock ‘Fantastic’ Morning After ‘Better Than A Movie’ Arkansas Derby Victory

Super Stock emerged in “fantastic” shape from his victory in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Saturday at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., Steve Asmussen, the colt's Hall of Fame trainer, said Sunday morning.

Super Stock is scheduled to be flown early this week to Kentucky, Asmussen said, where the Dialed In colt will join the trainer's string at Churchill Downs to begin preparing for the Kentucky Derby May 1.

Super Stock ($26.40) gave Asmussen his record-tying fifth Arkansas Derby victory, capturing the 1 1/8-mile race by 2 ½ lengths under Ricardo Santana Jr. Caddo River finished second, a head in front of 1-5 favorite and previously unbeaten Concert Tour.

Super Stock figures to be one of the Kentucky Derby's feel-good stories since he was purchased and is co-owned by Asmussen's father, Keith, 79, and received his early schooling at the family's famed El Primero Training Center near Laredo, Texas.

Steve Asmussen's oldest son, also named Keith, rode Super Stock in his first three career starts last summer and provided the jockey with his first career stakes victory in the $113,647 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity Aug. 11 at Lone Star Park. Keith Asmussen, 22, is scheduled to graduate in May from the University of Texas with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He had 61 mounts last year when he made his riding debut during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Steve Asmussen is on the cusp of becoming the winningest trainer in North American history, he has never won the Kentucky Derby in 21 starts.

“This horse is better than a movie, when you think about all of that,” Keith Asmussen said moments after his father's latest Arkansas Derby victory.

Super Stock's only previous victory came in the restricted Texas Thoroughbred Futurity, but the colt did run third, beaten 4 ¾ lengths by future Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality, in the $400,000 Breeders' Futurity Oct. 3 at Keeneland. Super Stock, in his 3-year-old debut, was a well-beaten fourth behind Concert Tour in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 13 at Oaklawn. Super Stock breezed three times before the Arkansas Derby, including a five-furlong bullet (1:00.20) March 29.

“Going into the race, dad said this horse had been touting himself,” Keith Asmussen said. “I think it was the perfect description.”

Steve Asmussen, heading toward his record-tying 11th Oaklawn training title, called the race setup perfect for Super Stock, who sat just off Caddo River's demanding splits of :22.62 for the opening quarter-mile, :46.51 for a half-mile and 1:11.25 for three-quarters of a mile.

“Those kind of fractions will sort out a lot,” Asmussen said.

The final time over a fast track was 1:50.92. A $70,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Super Stock won for the second time in eight lifetime starts to increase his earnings to $804,762. He earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 92, a career high.

“He's improving a lot,” Santana said after riding Super Stock for the third time. “He's growing up. I'm really, really happy with that horse right now.”

Asmussen previously won the Arkansas Derby in 2002 (Private Emblem), 2007 (Curlin), 2016 (Creator) and last year's first division with Basin, who was elevated to first following the disqualification of Charlatan for a medication violation. The case is under appeal.

Clearly, Asmussen's fifth Arkansas Derby victory was different. It was a family affair. In addition to his father, mother, wife and three sons, Asmussen said his mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law were among those present to cheer the family horse.

“Can't even remember the last time we were all at the same race,” an emotional Asmussen said following his record 95th career Oaklawn stakes victory. “Meant to be.”

Super Stock collected 100 points for his Arkansas Derby victory and has 109 overall to rank third on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard compiled by Churchill Downs. The Arkansas Derby offered 170 points to the top four finishers (100-40-20-10) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. The 1 ¼-mile race is limited to 20 starters, with starting preference given to the top 18 point earners in designated races like the Arkansas Derby. The top point earners on the European and Japan Road the Kentucky Derby will receive invitations.

Essential Quality, winner of Oaklawn's $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 27, has 140 points to rank No. 1. Concert Tour (70) is No. 9 and Caddo River (50) is No. 13.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Concert Tour would be sent to Churchill Downs, but was non-committal about a start in the Kentucky Derby. Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby a record-tying six times. Baffert said in a text message early Sunday afternoon that Concert Tour came out of the race well and will ship to Kentucky Monday or Tuesday.

“We'll see how he works back,” Baffert said immediately following the Arkansas Derby. “Churchill, I don't like to run there unless they're going to be really live. We'll see how he comes out of this race and see how he trains forward. I didn't really want a hard race out of it, but we still wanted to win. I've won Derbies off of losses. You learn about your horse and see if there is improvement to be made. The horse will tell us.”

Caddo River came out of the Arkansas Derby in “great shape,” Jorgito Abrego, who oversees trainer Brad Cox's Oaklawn division, said Sunday morning. Cox said immediately following the Arkansas Derby that he would consult with John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs, Caddo River's owner/breeder, before making a decision regarding the Kentucky Derby.

“Talk it over with Mr. John Ed and come up with a game plan here in the near future,” Cox said. “We'll ship him back to Churchill, one way or another, and either prepare for the Kentucky Derby, I assume he'll get in with (50 points), if we choose that path or possibly the Preakness. We'll talk to the boss and see what he thinks. More than anything, see how he comes out of it over the next couple of days.”

Cox also trains Essential Quality.

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