FL Derby Runners Put In Final Works

Impressive GII Holy Bull S. winner Audible (Into Mischief) was among a quartet of GI Florida Derby contenders putting in their final breezes ahead of the Mar. 31 test. Working in company with fellow sophomore Vino Rossi (Curlin), the Todd Pletcher pupil covered a half-mile in :49.19 (3/30) at his trainer's Palm Beach Downs base Saturday morning (video).

“I thought it was a standard Audible work,” Pletcher said. “He's not an overzealous workhorse, but he put in a nice :49 on a track that isn't playing particularly fast. He galloped out with some enthusiasm. He seems like he's training consistently with the way he was training up to the Holy Bull and some of his other races. He seems like he's had a good time since the Holy Bull. He seems to be coming up to the Florida Derby in good order.”

Over at Gulfstream, Dale Romans worked his Florida Derby duo Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford) and Storm Runner (Get Stormy). GII Fountain of Youth S. upsetter Promises Fulfilled breezed five furlongs in 1:02.04 (19/42) (video).

“I thought he worked beautifully,” Romans said. “He was moving good. He just went nice and easy in the last work before the race.”

Tammy Fox guided Storm Runner, most recently a troubled seventh in the Fountain of Youth, through a best-of-42 five panels in :59.17 (video).

“I thought he worked good and Tammy gave me the thumbs-up,” Romans said. “She was impressed.”

Rounding out Saturday's Florida Derby workers was Loooch Racing Stables' Fire When Ready (Empire Way), who went six furlongs in 1:15 flat (video) at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Hess. The gelding kicked off this term with a starter optional claimer win at Santa Anita Jan. 14 and was fourth in the California Cup Derby last time Feb. 19.

“We got the last quarter in :24 2/5,” Hess said. “He went well. He tucked in behind two horses and got a lot of kickback. He quickened up late, shot through along the rail and finished up a length ahead of the other two.”

Watch Audible's work below