Badge Of Silver Breezes A Mile At Churchill Downs
By: John Asher

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 2, 2003) - Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Kentucky Derby (Grade I) contender Badge of Silver, winner of the Risen Star (GIII) at the Fair Grounds, worked one mile on Wednesday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the colt's final Derby prep in Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass (GI) on April 12.

The Ronny Werner-trained son of Silver Deputy covered the distance in 1:38 over a "fast" track under jockey Robby Albarado. Badge of Silver has not competed since he finished fifth as the favorite in the Louisiana Derby (GII) on March 9. It was discovered later that he had suffered from a throat problem that limited his breathing during that race and Badge of Silver underwent surgery a few days later to correct the problem.

"He worked really well," said Albarado. "He needed the work this morning. Ronny's starting to crank him up again and get him rolling. I feel real comfortable going into the race."

Badge of Silver worked in company with a Werner-trained stablemate and broke off for the work about two lengths behind his workmate. He eased past his workmate while cruising under Albarado and Badge of Silver responded with another surge when the workmate moved closer late in the work.

Badge of Silver completed internal fractions of :25; :49 and 1:10.20 on the way to his mile clocking of 1:38.

"He needed that," said Werner. "We gave him something to chase - gave him a rabbit. When he made the lead, he threw his ears forward and relaxed and when he came to him again, he kind of re-broke. He did it all the right way and it was what I wanted to see out of him. He came back well and it didn't near bottom him out."

Werner said Badge of Silver would have one more breeze before the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass.

Work Tab: Albarado was also aboard the Ramseys' Adopted Daughter, winner via disqualification of the Bourbonette Breeders' Cup at Turfway Park, as she breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40. Werner said she would run next in Keeneland's Beaumont (GII)...Also working toward the Beaumont was Porter, Milner and Bloch's My Boston Gal, who breezed five furlongs for trainer Carl Nafzger in 1:00 - the fastest clocking of seven at the distance...New Orleans Handicap (GII) winner Mineshaft breezed six furlongs in 1:14.20 for trainer Neil Howard and stablemate Quick Tip, winner of the Bayou Breeders' Cup at the Fair Grounds, breezed three-quarters in 1:13.20.

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