Tag: Triple Crown

C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable LLC's White Abarrio breezed five furlongs in company at Gulfstream Park Sunday morning in preparation for a scheduled start in the May 7 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Working for the second time since impressively winning the April 2 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) by 1 ½ lengths, the 3-year-old son of Race Day completed five furlongs in 1:00.04 after passing workmate Stormy Pattern (1:01.04) nearing the wire. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.58. (Click here to watch a video of the workout.)

“It went good. I got him in :59 (4/5). They got him in a minute. He worked with that horse before the Florida Derby, two weeks out,” Joseph said. “We kept everything the same, the same workmate, a similar pattern two weeks out. That time he ran a 1:02. This time he ran a little faster than a minute. Last time he galloped out in 1:13. This time he galloped out in 1:12.”

White Abarrio was purchased by his current connections after debuting at Gulfstream Sept. 24 with a 6 ¾-length triumph. He went on to win an optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream by four lengths five weeks later. White Abarrio concluded his 2021 campaign with a third-place finish in the Nov. 27 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs behind Smile Happy and Classic Causeway.

The Joseph trainee was impressive in his 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream Feb. 5, capturing the Holy Bull (G3) by 4 ½ lengths ahead of Simplification, who went on the win March 5 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) in White Abarrio's absence. The Race Day colt rallied from off the pace to defeat Charge It in the Florida Derby.

Joseph has trained one Kentucky Derby starter, Ny Traffic, who finished eighth in a September edition of the 2020 Run for the Roses.

“You just try to keep an even keel. It's a long way to go in horse racing terms – 13 days,” Joseph said. “You just want to get through everything and ship up there fine and go into the race the best we can.”

White Abarrio is scheduled to breeze a half-mile next Sunday before shipping to Churchill Downs the following day.

The post KY Derby Contender White Abarrio Pleases In Gulfstream Breeze appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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With less than two weeks remaining until the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) and $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), respective top contenders Epicenter (six furlongs, 1:12.20) and Echo Zulu (six furlongs, 1:11.80) had their most serious workouts prior to the first weekend in May.

Along with Derby contender Epicenter, Teruya Yoshida's Japan-bred UAE Derby (G2) winner Crown Pride had another tune-up for the “Run for the Roses” and breezed a half-mile in :49.20.

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' undefeated filly Echo Zulu was the first of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's duo to work.

The daughter of Gun Runner breezed with exercise rider Wilson Fabian in the saddle. The duo broke to the inside of regular workmate King Ottoman, who was ridden by former jockey Eddie Martin Jr. Echo Zulu worked through eighth-mile fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.60, and :47.40. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

In Asmussen's next set of horses, Epicenter, with Fabian in the irons, worked to the outside of Gun It and Martin through splits of :13, :24.40, :35.80, and :47.20. Epicenter galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.20 and was up one-mile in 1:41.

“We're so happy the weather has cooperated on our scheduled work days. The racetrack is in great shape this morning,” Asmussen said after he arrived in Louisville following an eight-hour overnight drive from Oaklawn Park.

“These were the most significant works for us. We're following a pattern that we're very comfortable with. I love the rhythm these horses are in. Both of these horses have kept their same workmates from New Orleans this winter. I'm unbelievably appreciative of the job Wilson and Eddie have done helping get them to this point.

“They've both started out as tremendous prospects and individuals. We're aiming with incremental improvement to not take too big of a leap forward. So everything is a building block to success. Since they have arrived here at Churchill that trend has continued. I was so excited with Echo Zulu's first work here.”

Epicenter and Echo Zulu won the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), respectively, in late March.

Asmussen, who is North America's all-time leading trainer in wins, has made 23 starts in the Kentucky Derby but has failed to win the 1 ¼-mile event. His trainees have finished second and third, twice each, in the Kentucky Derby. His last starter to hit the board was Lookin At Lee, who finished second in 2017. Asmussen also finished third in 2016 with Gun Runner, second in 2011 with Nehro, and third in 2007 with Curlin.

“I literally know what it feels like to win the Derby,” Asmussen said of Nehro. “I didn't see Animal Kingdom coming down the center of the track that day. With Lookin At Lee, when Corey (Lanerie) cut the corner with him and the acceleration he showed going by tired horses, it just looked like he was going fast enough to win the Derby. Always Dreaming had enough to hold him off. The visuals of those moments were goosebump exciting. I've got 23 different feelings on the Derby but very vividly remember Nehro and Lookin At Lee.

“For Curlin's Derby, I never thought that he'd get beat. The walkover for his Derby felt like it took three strides but the walk back felt like it was the Sahara Desert. He went to the Test Barn after the race with Zanjero (who finished 12th) and Zanejro was blowing hard. Curlin came out of the test barn and was his strong, usual self. He had enough ability but wasn't meant to be.”

Epicenter and Echo Zulu are likely to head back to the track Tuesday.

At 7:30 a.m., Crown Pride worked a half-mile from the three-furlong pole through consistent fractions of :12.40, :24.80, and :37.20. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.40.

Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on May 1 and will be in attendance at the post position draw Monday, May 2.

In other Derby-related news, Asmussen removed Gotham (G3) winner Morello from Derby consideration because the colt has a foot issue. Also, Jeff Drown's Blue Grass (G1) winner Zandon arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. He is stabled with several other stablemates in Barn 25.

Curlin Florida Derby (G1) winner White Abarrio is slated to have his final training in Florida through Sunday, May 1 and arrive in Saffie Joseph's Barn 10 by Monday, May 2. Simplification, who finished third to White Abarrio in the Florida Derby, is scheduled to arrive one day prior for trainer Antonio Sano.

The post Top Derby, Oaks Hopefuls Epicenter, Echo Zulu Breeze; Morello To Bypass Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kentucky Derby (G1)  and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders kicked it into high gear Saturday morning with several horses around the country logging their most serious workouts prior to the first weekend in May.

At Churchill Downs, Derby contenders Cyberknife (six furlongs, 1:12.20), Smile Happy (five furlongs, 1:00.40), Tiz the Bomb (five furlongs 1:00.20), and Un Ojo (:59.40) all breezed for the Derby. At Keeneland, Blue Grass (G1) winner Zandon worked a half-mile in :48.60 before he ships to Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Gold Square's Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Cyberknife breezed at 5:15 a.m. (ET) with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle. The son of Gun Runner worked on the outside of stablemate Koolhous. Cyberknife started two lengths back at the five-furlong marker and finished two lengths in front at the wire. Cyberknife continued his strong move around the far turn and completed seven furlongs in 1:24.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“It was a really strong move and he's a really good work horse,” Geroux said. “He continues to improve as time goes on and he showed that winning the Arkansas Derby. Even going back to his allowance win before the Arkansas Derby he showed a new level of class.”

During the 7:30-7:45 a.m. training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Lucky Seven Stable's Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Smile Happy and Magdalena Racing Lessee's Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Tiz the Bomb breezed in company.

Smile Happy and jockey Corey Lanerie began the work about one length in front of Brian Hernandez Jr. and Tiz the Bomb. Hernandez and Tiz the Bomb moved to the outside of Smile Happy and finished in tandem at the wire.

“We were just looking for an easy move today and we got that,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “We'll probably do the same thing again next week.”

Cypress Creek Equine's Un Ojo arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday with trainer Ricky Courville's son, Clay. Clay breezed Un Ojo through opening eighth-mile splits of :11.60, :23, :35, and :47.60. Un Ojo galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.20.

“It's amazing being here at Churchill Downs,” Clay said. “I've been here before but nothing like this. (Un Ojo) is getting over the track really well.”

At Keeneland, Jeff Drown's Zandon completed eighth-mile fractions of :12.80, :25.20, and :37. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80, six furlongs in 1:13.80 and seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27.60. Trainer Chad Brown reported Zandon will ship to Churchill Downs on Sunday and be stabled in Barn 25.

“He was moving super; just what we wanted to see,” Brown said. “We just wanted to maintain where he is. He does not have to get any fitter. I was impressed with how he galloped out.”

Before winning the Toyota Blue Grass (G1), Zandon was third behind Kentucky Derby hopefuls Epicenter and Smile Happy in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19.

Kentucky Oaks contenders Hidden Connection (five furlongs, 1:00.60), Nostalgic (four furlongs, :48.80), and Venti Valentine (four furlongs, :47.20) all worked Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Sunday morning, likely Kentucky Derby and Oaks favorites Epicenter and Echo Zulu are both scheduled to work for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

DAWN AT THE DOWNS: DERBY, OAKS MORNING WORKOUTS OPEN TO PUBLIC – Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7-10 a.m. through Wednesday, May 4 so guests can watch the nation's top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds train toward their engagements in this year's Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Horses train on Churchill Downs' main track daily from 5:15-10 a.m. with an exclusive training window only for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:30-7:45 a.m. following the 7-7:30 a.m. renovation break.

Those horses are identified by special saddle towels which include their names: yellow saddle towels for Derby horses and pink saddle towels for Oaks contenders.

Kentucky Derby Morning Works presented by TwinSpires.com will begin Monday and air on www.kentuckyderby.com/works, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Fans in attendance will be able to watch the show on the track's Big Board and infield televisions.

Guests can enter Churchill Downs through the Paddock Gate and should park for free in the nearby White Lot for convenient entry. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.

No outside food and beverage is allowed. Churchill Downs' Paddock Grill will be open each morning with breakfast food and beverage options.

Also, the Churchill Downs Store will be open daily featuring all of the best official race merchandise, collectibles, drink wear, party supplies, gifts, apparel and gear for men and women in advance of the Kentucky Derby.

On Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs. Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased on www.KentuckyDerby.com/tickets.

The 148th runnings of the $1.25 Longines Kentucky Oaks and $3 million Kentucky Derby will be held Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, respectively. Opening Night of Derby Week and the 44-day Spring Meet is Saturday, April 30.

The post Cyberknife, Un Ojo, Zandon Among KY Derby Contenders On Saturday Worktabs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Former leading jockey Rosie Napravnik, a two-time winner of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1), along with the voice of the Kentucky Derby, Travis Stone, will be the featured analysts on the Kentucky Derby Morning Works presented by TwinSpires.com for the 11-day online broadcast that begins Monday, April 25.

The one-hour program will be streamed live on KentuckyDerby.com/works from 7-8 a.m. (all times Eastern) starting Monday and will feature the 15-minute exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders from 7:30-7:45 a.m. Fans can also watch the broadcast across several of the Kentucky Derby social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

NOTE: The exclusive Derby and Oaks training period begins Saturday. There will be a live stream on the social media channels Saturday and Sunday but there will be no production elements or commentary those days.

Napravnik's first appearance on the broadcast will be April 29 while Stone will be on-set April 27-28. A wide array of other experts will lead fans through the show including TwinSpires.com handicappers Joe Kristufek, James Scully, Scott Shapiro and Brandon Stauble.

Fans will be invited to join in the discussion using the hashtag #KyDerby.

The first day of the exclusive Kentucky Derby/Oaks training widow is Saturday and a live stream will be available on the Derby's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.

The post Retired Jockey Rosie Napravnik, Announcer Travis Stone Featured Analysts For Kentucky Derby Morning Works appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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