Albaugh Family Stable's GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom (Constitution) began his preparations for the GI Kentucky Derby with a half-mile move in :48.40 early Friday morning at Churchill Downs, the track said in a release.
Trained by Brad Cox, the 3-year-old worked at 5:30 a.m. ET with exercise rider Edvin Vargas in the saddle. The duo cruised through an opening quarter-mile in :24 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.20.
“He's settled in nicely since we shipped him back to Churchill from Fair Grounds,” Cox said. “He was impressive closing from that far back in the Louisiana Derby and I think the longer stretch at Churchill plus the mile-and-a-quarter should only help him in the Derby.”
About two hours after Catching Freedom completed his work, stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini)–winner of the GII Fair Grounds Oaks–began her preparations for the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks with a half-mile breeze in :49.20.
As of Friday, three other Derby contenders were on the grounds at Churchill Downs: Endlessly (Oscar Performance), Honor Marie (Honor Code) and Track Phantom (Quality Road).
Endlessly is slated to work Saturday while Honor Marie and Track Phantom have scheduled works on Sunday.
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