Calumet Farm's Risen Star Bravazo (Awesome Again), winner of the GII Risen Star S., breezed six furlongs in 1:15.40 Friday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 5 GI Kentucky Derby.
Accompanied by stablemates Take Notice (Speightstown) and Berko (Justin Phillip), the homebred carved out splits of :25.20, :37.80, :50.60 and 1:03 and finished five lengths in front before galloping out seven furlongs 1:28.80, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
“I was very pleased with the work,” affirmed Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. “It will be six weeks since he last raced [GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 24], so I wanted to put him in a situation where it would feel like an actual race. He did everything just like we wanted and I think he'll get a lot out of this work. He didn't want to pull up after he was finished. My rider was exhausted.”
Bravazo came home a 21-1 winner over Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy)–who finished third–in the Feb. 17 Risen Star, but disappointed when eighth in the Louisiana Derby.
“We know he's better than what he showed last time,” Lukas said. “It's tough coming into the Derby with a six-week break, but I think his breeze this morning showed us he's doing well.”
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