East Coast Kentucky Derby Hopefuls Active In The A.M.
By, Jill Byrne

It was a busy week around the ovals, as many three-year-olds were getting in final workouts for important upcoming Kentucky Derby (GI) prep races.

Different Approaches, Seeking Same Goal

At Gulfstream on Feb. 9, Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) winner Booklet drilled five furlongs in a "bullet" 1:00 3/5 in the colt's final serious breeze for the Feb. 16 Fountain Of Youth Stakes (GI). The son of Notebook showed his natural speed throughout the work, going well within himself.

On the other end of the time spectrum, the much-hyped Wild Again colt Stephentown drilled five furlongs in a very slow 1:06 4/5 under Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day. The colt's trainer, Tony Reinstedler, was concerned with the condition of the Gulfstream Park main track, which was made firm by overnight rains, and instructed Day to go easily.

Trainer "Shug" McGaughey sent Remsen Stakes (GII) winner Saarland (2) out for a Feb. 9 breeze, which was scheduled to be in company from the gate with stablemate Jackpot, but the work mate threw his rider as the gate opned and Saarland (2) drilled an honest five furlong by himself in 1:02. The colt is unlikely for the Fountain of Youth (GI), as McGaughey seems to be leaning toward running Cynthia Phipps' son of Unbridled in an allowance race for his three-year-old debut.

On Feb. 9 at Payson Park, Political Attack, by Hawk Attack, went a strong five-eighths of a mile in 1:03 in preparation for the Fountain of Youth (GI). All reports from South Florida are that Brereton C. Jones' Political Attack, winner of the off-the-turf Tropical Park Derby (GIII) on New Year's Day at Calder Race Course, is training tremendously and should not be overlooked in his next start. On Feb. 11 at Gulfstream, Grey Beard, winner of a two-turn allowance race early in the Gulfstream Park meet worked five furlongs in 1:02 4/5, galloping out six furlongs in 1:17. This was an impressive workout in that not only was the track glib, but also the "dogs" were out about 10 feet from the rail, forcing the son of Unbridled's Song to go wide while he cruised away from his workmate. Trainer Graham Motion was pleased with his preparations for the Fountain of Youth (GI). "He worked well," Motion said. "Since his last race, he has been more agressive."

At Gulfstream Park on Feb. 12, Maybry's Boy, a winner of the Spectacular Bid Stakes (GIII), yet a dissapointment in the Feb. 2 Hutcheson Stakes (GII), put in a maintenance half-mile in :48 3/5 in company with the stakes- caliber mare Cat Cay.

"I'm interested to see if he can get two turns," Maybry's Boy's trainer, "Shug" McGaughey said.

Also on Feb. 12, Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) runner-up Harlan's Holiday went a half-mile in :47 2/5, galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 with trainer Ken McPeek remarking, "It was a very good workout. Everything is on track for the Fountain Of Youth (GI)." Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) runner-up Repent, looking to make his three year old debut on Feb. 17 in the Risen Star Stakes (GIII) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La., also worked a half-mile at Gulfstream for McPeek. The son of Louis Quatorze went in :48. 1/5, following-up a string of very agressive recent workouts, suggesting he is more than ready for the competition in New Orleans.

Asmussen Duo, It'sallinthechase Await Repent In New Orleans

At the Fair Grounds on Feb. 11, Easyfromthegitgo, winner of the Lecomte Stakes, went a half mile in :49 4/5 for trainer Steve Asmussen, readying for the Risen Star Stakes. The son of Dehere looked very relaxed and finshed up well, suggesting he has not lost a step since his gritty performance in the Jan. 26 Lecomte. Asmussen also sent out Black Goild Stakes (on turf) winner Private Emblem, a son of Our Emblem, for a half-mile maintenance move in :49 1/5. Provate Emblem is expected to start along side his stablemate Easyfromthegitgo in the Risen Star.

It'sallinthechase, a fast closing third in the Lecomte Stakes, worked a solid five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 for trainer Wilson Brown. The move was the fifth fastest on the day for the lovely striding son of Take Me Out.

Bob's Image, who could set the pace in the Risen Star off of two consecutive front- running scores around two turns, went a sharp five furlongs in 1:01 4/5. The colt's trainer, Dallas Stewart, is happy with the way this good looking son of Halo's Image has trained leading up, to the Risen Star.

Expected to keep Bob's Image company on the front-end in the Risen Star is Sky Terrace, who overcame a rough start to finish a nose behind Easyfromthegitgo in the Lecomte after racing a bit rank on the lead. The big, lanky son of Skywalker went a half-mile on Feb. 12 in :48 4/5 at the Fair Grounds for trainer Vicky Foley.

With no serious prep races this weekend in California, the work out tab was relatively quiet. However, Siphonic, the early favorite for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (GI), had his first workout since his rough second place finish in the Santa Catalina Stakes (GIII) on Jan. 19.

The son of Siphon breezed an easy half-mile in :50.3 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. under excersize rider Michelle Jensenn. Siphonic's trainer, David Hofmans, was not looking for anything sparkling as the colt is not expected to start again until the San Felipe Stakes (GII) on March 17 at Santa Anita.

Jill Byrne serves as an analyst for TVG's award-winning "The Works" program, which focuses on the morning workout activity of horses preparing for the Kentucky Derby (GI) and Breeders' Cup. Additionally, she is a handicapper for the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network (CDSN) and is a knowledgeable, hands-on horsewoman who assisted her husband, trainer Patrick Byrne, in the development of Eclipse champions Favorite Trick and Countess Diana. She is the daughter of noted show horse rider and Thoroughbred trainer Peter Howe and first started riding show horses in her native Virginia at age three; she got on her first Thoroughbred when she was 11. She went to the University of Virginia where she studied political science and has worked directly with dosgae guru Steven Roman identifying top quality horses through a race analysis system he developed. Jill and Patrick have a daughter, Devon, and reside in Louisville.

« Back To Derby News