By Steve Sherack
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the popular 'Dawn at the Downs' program off and running on a cool and cloudy Tuesday morning, the Churchill Downs backstretch and grandstand viewing areas were packed with fans hoping to get a closer look at the GI Kentucky Derby/Oaks contenders.
The big crowd in attendance, plenty of which sporting jackets, were also able to follow along the morning activity on the massive 15,224-square-foot, high-definition jumbotron located on the backside while Gary West provided live commentary.
Trainer Doug O'Neill watched his Oaks filly Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road) train while standing alongside a group of media just before 8 a.m.
O'Neill's unbeaten champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo), meanwhile, was allowed to do more after just jogging his first two days here, galloping smartly during the special 8:30 a.m. training period reserved for the Derby/Oaks horses.
Southern California invaders Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy) and Trojan Nation (Street Cry {Ire}) made their first appearance beneath the Twin Spires since shipping from the Golden State Monday afternoon. Danzing Candy and his exercise rider were well coordinated in Clifford Sise's bright barn colors of yellow and orange while the maiden Trojan Nation, fitted with black earmuffs, was a bit eager to get down to business and proved to be a bit of a handful throughout his time jogging on the track.
Likely Derby second choice Exaggerator (Curlin) was also back in action after enjoying a couple of light days in the barn following his five-furlong workout Saturday.
Lani (Tapit) was a popular topic of discussion on the backstretch once again after receiving a couple of backhanders from his pilot Eishu Maruuchi entering the backstretch in front of a very large audience. The G2 UAE Derby winner was clocked with a five-furlong workout in 1:01 (3/18) with trainer Mikio Matsunaga in town from Japan to watch for the first time.
Mohaymen (Tapit) earned a nice pat on the neck for a job well done by his rider, who was sporting a Shadwell blue-and-white helmet cover.
The duo of Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway) and Go Maggie Go (Ghostzapper) continue to make favorable impressions ahead of their respective engagements–nothing new there as the Dale Romans runners always seem to make a striking appearance before these big race meetings. Tammy Fox has certainly been getting a good workout herself all week as the regular partner of the powerful unbeaten GII Gulfstream Park Oaks heroine.
Majesto (Tiznow) was met on the track by Jose Cuevas, the popular former longtime assistant to the legendary late Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, after finishing his day's work. Cuevas, quite fittingly wearing a black Empire Maker vest, was the exercise rider for the 2003 Derby runner-up and current leading sire.
The stretch-running Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft), equipped with a shadow roll, is another who has been getting over the track well throughout his morning preparations for the big one. Trainer Donnie Von Hemel led his charge to the track via his stable pony prior to his 1 1/2-miles gallop Tuesday.
Owner Barbara Banke and advisor John Moynihan were spotted on the backside watching from the rail during the 8:30 a.m. training session. Stonestreet will be well-represented by three fillies in the Oaks–Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini), Royal Obsession (Tapit) and Terra Promessa (Curlin).
Meanwhile back at the barns, Ahmed and Justin Zayat, one year removed from American Pharoah's historic Triple Crown run for the ages, chatted with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Spendthrift's B. Wayne Hughes and Ned Toffey were on hand by the Todd Pletcher barn as Destin (Giant's Causeway) and Outwork (Uncle Mo) were cleaned up following their 1 3/8-miles gallops as the morning began to wind down.
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