• Unbeaten GI Santa Anita Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Justify (Scat Daddy) had his pen-ultimate workout Saturday morning for the GI Kentucky Derby, going six furlongs under jockey Drayden Van Dyke in 1:13.20 (4/16). “I was happy with the work,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said. “Everything went well. He'll work one more time here next weekend.” Added private clocker Toby Turrell, “Justify was just as impressive as he's been up to this point. Nothing's changed.”
• Trainer Chad Brown called Saturday's breeze by champion 2-year-old colt and last out GII Toyota Blue Grass S. winner Good Magic (Curlin) “outstanding” after the chestnut worked four furlongs in :48 (6/71). Keeneland clockers caught Good Magic galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 and six furlongs in 1:14.
“The horse is moving great,” Brown said. “He was well within himself. His time's perfect–what I was looking for. It was well executed. We're really confident that this horse is coming into the [Derby] the right way. We're confident [that] if he continues training as he is now, he'll run the best race of his life.”
• Flameaway (Scat Daddy), Free Drop Billy (Union Rags) and Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford) kicked off the exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby contenders from 7:30-7:45 a.m. Saturday with five-furlong workouts at Churchill Downs.
Flameaway, winner of the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and runner-up in the Blue Grass, breezed five furlongs in company in 1:00.40 (12/52). “I was really happy with his breeze this morning,” said assistant trainer Nick Tomlinson, who is overseeing trainer Mark Casse's string at Churchill Downs. “He's doing really well with the track at Churchill and he recorded one of his best breezes that I've seen.”
Promises Fulfilled, upset winner of the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. and ninth-place finisher in the GI Florida Derby, breezed five furlongs in :59.20 (4/52). GISW Free Drop Billy, promoted to third in the Blue Grass, jogged one mile, galloped one mile, then breezed five furlongs in a bullet :59 (1/52).
“Impressive is all I can really say,” trainer Dale Romans said. “I'll tell you what, both of these horses looked awesome this morning. It would definitely be a relief to win one of these things one day. These are very smart horses and are doing everything right in the lead up to the Derby.”
• Blended Citizen (Proud Citizen), currently on the outside looking in toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby, worked five furlongs in company in :59:40 (1/25) at Keeneland Saturday morning after the maintenance break. The narrow GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner and Blue Grass fifth-place finisher galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.40. “The farther the better for him,” said Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill. “He galloped out well and [Hall of Fame rider] Gary [Stevens] was happy with him. He said he really got going after the wire.”
• Runaway GI Central Bank Ashland S. heroine and likely GI Kentucky Oaks favorite Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) worked a half-mile in :47.40 (4/50) in company at Churchill Saturday. “She's been training very forward since coming to Churchill Downs,” trainer Brad Cox said. “She's been keen in the mornings, so we think she's definitely ready.”
Coach Rocks (Oxbow), winner of the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, breezed five furlongs in a bullet :59 (1/52) Saturday morning at Churchill Downs. “[Coach Rocks] is really improving and training well here at Churchill Downs,” trainer Dale Romans said.
Streaking Sunland Park Oaks winner Blamed (Blame) worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 (25/52) Saturday morning at Churchill Downs. “It's exciting to be here in Kentucky for the first time,” trainer Joel Marr said. “This will be the first horse I've run in Kentucky and it's great to be here. We'll see what she's made of in the Oaks.”
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