Derby Updates

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 26, 2006) - Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon Robbins III's First Samurai, winner via disqualification of the Fountain of Youth (Grade II) in his most recent start, worked five furlongs on Sunday at Churchill Downs in preparation for an expected start on April 15 in the $750,000-added Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) at Keeneland.

The son of Giant's Causeway turned in his first serious training move since his return to his Churchill Downs training base following a winter at Gulfstream Park when he breezed five furlongs over a "fast" track in 1:02.20.

Retired jockey Donna Brothers was in the irons for her husband, trainer Frank Brothers, as First Samurai recorded a six-furlong gallop-out that was recorded in 1:14.80 by Churchill Downs' clockers. The move tied as the eighth fastest of 19 at the distance. Brothers thought the winner the Hopeful (GI) and Champagne (GI) went a bit faster than the official clocking, and was very pleased with the colt's move.

"He worked well," said Brothers, who watched First Samurai from atop his pony stationed in the Churchill Downs stretch. "I had him five-eighths in like a minute-and-three (fifths) and he probably went out in (a minute and) 13. He was well within himself and was happy. He was good."

First Samurai warmed up for the work by jogging in Churchill Downs' mile chute, and was bucking and playing under his rider during the crisp, sunny morning under the historic Twin Spires.

"That's the biggest thing," said Brothers. "He's done well and I'm very happy with him. As they say, he's got to step up to the plate, you know?"

The colt's opportunity to prove that he belongs in the ranks of prime contenders for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6 will come in the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass. Brothers won that race with Claiborne Farm's Pulpit in 1997 before that son of A.P. Indy finished fourth to Silver Charm in the Derby.

First Samurai won the Fountain of Youth following the disqualification of Corinthian, a performance that has led critics to question the colt's distance capabilities after he failed to win outright despite setting a moderate pace in that 1 1/8-mile test at Gulfstream Park.

"That was a good race," said Brothers. "Sure, I'd love to have seen him 'run out of the screen,' as they say. But that was a very good race for a horse that had never been two turns at a mile and an eighth. I think he's got an excellent chance to improve off that race and, if he does and runs a very good race in the Blue Grass, then I think he buys his ticket to the Derby. If he doesn't, then I guess you've got to think about that."

Brothers is very pleased to see First Samurai's happy and playful behavior since last week's return to the trainer's Churchill Downs base.

"Always in the spring when they come up from Florida, horses do well up here," he said. "I remember I had Pulpit and he was a little flat in the Florida Derby, but he came up and had six weeks or five weeks, whatever it was, before the Blue Grass and I mean he just was a different horse. He got a little freshening and a little cool air. This horse here is much different - he wasn't a flat horse in Florida and he's come along just like I'd want him to. He's just got to keep making the steps."

First Samurai will get a more serious test in his next work as Brothers said he would probably breeze seven furlongs on Monday, April 3. That schedule would allow Donna Brothers to be in the saddle following her return from Gulfstream Park, where she will be part of NBC Sports' coverage of the Florida Derby (GI) on April 1.

Lunsford and Robbins' colt has a career record of 5-1-1 in seven races and has earned $892,575.

BARN NOTES - Overbrook Farm's Flanders Fields, third in a recent allowance race at Gulfstream Park for trainer Dallas Stewart, breezed five furlongs in 1:02.20 on Sunday - the same clocking as First Samurai. The son of A.P. Indy out of champion Flanders breezed in company with 4-year-old stablemate Storm Surge, who was credited with the same time for the distance…Battle Won, winner of the 2005 Churchill Downs Handicap (GII), breezed five furlongs in 1:02.80 for trainer Chuck Simon…Trainer Frank Brothers was pleased with Saturday's strong effort on Saturday by Bruce Lunsford's Coronado's Vision, who opened a clear lead in the stretch before being beaten by a neck by Top Notch Lady in the $150,000-added Bourbonette Breeders' Cup (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at Turfway Park. "She ran very well," he said. "It looked like a very competitive race on paper and we were thrilled with her race." Despite the big effort, Brothers was not ready to call Coronado's Vision a contender for the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI) on May 5. "You'd have to talk to Bruce about that," said the smiling Brothers. "He's not short on shooting for the sky. I haven't really thought about it. She is nominated to the Oaks. You wouldn't think so, but you never know."

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