• Janis Whitham's McCraken (Ghostzapper) drilled five furlongs in 1:00.60 over a fast track in company with stablemate McCormick (Hard Spun) at Churchill Downs Monday morning. McCraken started about six lengths back of his workmate–who was ultimately timed in 1:01 flat–and easily swept past going into the clubhouse turn. McCraken was credited with splits of :12 flat, :24.60, :36.40 and a gallop-out of 1:13 flat for six furlongs and 1:26 flat for seven furlongs [video]. With regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. aboard, Mccraken trained during the special 8:30 a.m. window of time allotted to Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks contenders.
“Everything went great,” Hernandez said. “He sat back and didn't go until I asked him. He made up a lot of ground from the eighth pole to the wire.”
Trainer Ian Wilkes concurred, noting, “It was a good, solid work and he galloped out strong. [The gallop out] shows he had something left in the tank.”
Wilkes added that he plans to give McCraken one more work at a distance and date yet to be determined.
• Trainer Steve Asmussen sent out the pair of GIII Sunland Derby winner Hence (Street Boss) and GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby third Local Hero (Hard Spun) to work five furlongs in 1:00 flat beneath the Twin Spires. Timed in splits of :12.20, 23.80, :35.60 and :47.80 with a seven-furlong gallop-out of 1:26.60, the pair remained side-by-side for virtually the entire move [video]. Hence is assured a spot in the starting gate, while Local Hero is on the outside looking in, currently situated behind 23 runners whose connections have stated their intent to compete.
“Hence and Local Hero put in a great work this morning,” Asmussen said. “I'm very comfortable with both horses being here at Churchill. I think the time they spent last year here shows.”
Earlier in the morning, Asmussen-trained Untrapped (Trappe Shot) breezed five panels in 1:01.60 [video], while Lookin at Lee (Lookin At Lucky) covered four furlongs in :51.20 [video] in their first moves since finishing sixth and third, respectively, in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 15. Untrapped is 20th among expected runners in the Kentucky Derby points standings, while Lookin At Lee would need one defection to meet the starter.
• The Mark Casse-trained pair of John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) and Conrad Farms' State of Honor (To Honor and Serve) each galloped at 6 a.m. at Churchill Monday morning.
“Both horses continue to do well,” assistant trainer Norm Casse said. “Classic Empire did a little more serious gallop today and looks great following the Arkansas Derby.”
• Brad Grady's Girvin (Tale of Ekati), winner of the Feb. 25 GII Risen Star S. and Apr. 1 GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, jogged twice around the main track at Keeneland Monday while accompanied by trainer Joe Sharp on a lead pony. Although Girvin has not posted a workout since Apr. 15, Sharp said that he will opt to give the colt one final tune-up for the Run For the Roses Friday.
“We just decided we are probably going to work him Friday,” Sharp said. “Just one solid stiff work going into the Derby instead of trying to squeeze two half-mile [workouts] in him. Probably five-eighths or three-quarters, eight days out from the Derby.”.
• Reddam Racing's Irap (Tiznow) galloped three times around Keeneland's five-furlong all-weather track in his return to training after working a mile in 1:44 flat Friday. Winner of the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. Apr. 8, the bay is scheduled to work again Friday and ship to Churchill Downs Apr. 29 or 30.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
