Thursday's Trackside Report

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – An extremely brisk and cloudy morning greeted the GI Kentucky Derby/Oaks horses after some overnight rain left the main track “good” with another packed house in attendance two days out from the 'Run for the Roses.'

With the main track being harrowed during the renovation break, it was business as usual during the special 15-minute training period reserved for the star 3-year-olds at 8:30 a.m.

I decided to take in the action from a little bit of a different vantage point away from the masses Thursday, watching from about midway on the far turn.

The Derby favorite Nyquist (Uncle Mo) had another good morning, galloping smartly while under a snug hold as he rounded the bend. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Paul Reddam were on hand Thursday morning as well, with the former speaking to reporters back at the barn following the unbeaten champion's trip to the track.

Mike Repole's homebred Outwork (Uncle Mo), a narrow winner of the GI Wood Memorial S. at the Big A, bounded by with good energy once again as did Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway), who also continues to catch the eye. Trainer Dale Romans was joined by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer during training hours, according to the ace Churchill notes team.

The sun very briefly made an appearance through an ominous sky as the speedy Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy), fitted with a bright yellow/orange browband and black shadowroll, and Oscar Nominated (Kitten's Joy) went by, nicely lighting up the latter's chestnut coat. The Ramsey runner, who has done all of his training at Mike Maker's nearby Trackside base, bar his workout beneath the Twin Spires Apr. 29, will be making his first attempt on dirt in the Derby.

The G M B Racing duo of Mo Tom (Uncle Mo), sporting a dark nasal strip, and Tom's Ready (More Than Ready), both displayed some high head carriage during their respective gallops Thursday.

Shagaf (Bernardini) and Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) have been two of the prettier movers to watch train all week as they continue to just glide over the surface during their morning preparations here.

Exaggerator (Curlin) jogged two miles going the wrong way with owner Matt Bryan of Big Chief Racing on hand to watch from Texas. More on him in tonight's special Derby edition.

As usual, the gray Lani (Tapit) was the final Derby runner to exit the track shortly after 9 a.m. while continuing to extend his well-documented daily activities well beyond the special training period.

So who looks good out there in the flesh? Without considering any past performances, here are five horses (trust me, this was not easy to narrow down), in alphabetical order, in my opinion, who have stood out a bit from the rest each morning from strictly a physical standpoint: Creator (Tapit), Exaggerator, Mohaymen (Tapit), Outwork and Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect).

I'll save my handicapping thoughts for this weekend's Xpressbet.com Triple Crown Throwdown with my man Brian DiDonato.

It looks like much warmer and sunnier weather is about to arrive just in time for the next few days. Thanks for following along all week–good luck everybody!