Bravazo, Calumet Farm’s homebred winner of the Risen Star (G2), breezed six furlongs in 1:15.40 over a fast track Friday morning in advance of the May 5 Kentucky Derby.
Working in company with stablemates Take Notice and Berko, Bravazo’s split times were :25.20, :37.80, :50.60 and 1:03. The son of Awesome Again finished five lengths in front on the seven-furlong gallop out in 1:28.80, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
WATCH: Bravazo breezes 6F from gate: 1:15.40
*Splits: 25.20, 37.80, 50.60, and 1:03. Out 7F 1:28.80
workmates Take Notice & Berko (1:16.40) pic.twitter.com/gHAZiYog39
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 20, 2018
“I was very pleased with the work,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “It will be six weeks since he last raced 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 most recently finished eighth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 24.
“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.”
At Palm Beach Downs on Friday, three of trainer Todd Pletcher’s Derby hopefuls turned in published works. The longest recorded a six-furlong breeze turned in by Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy, who traveled in 1:15 with stablemate Road to Damascus.
Florida Derby (G1) winner Audible completed five furlongs in 1:01.40 working with Patch, an entrant in last year’s Derby. Wood Memorial (G2) winner Vino Rosso breezed four furlongs in :49.65 working with older stablemate Outplay.
Kentucky Derby, Oaks workouts to be streamed live
Churchill Downs, in conjunction with TwinSpires.com, will provide live online streaming of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders’ workouts when the exclusive 7:30-7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) training window begins in earnest Saturday.
The live stream presented by TwinSpires.com will begin at 7 a.m. and be available at multiple sources including on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kentuckyderby; on Twitter via @KentuckyDerby; on YouTube at www.youtube.com/kentuckyderby; and www.kentuckyderby.com/works.
The live video will include graphics to identify each horse and commentary from an array of industry experts, including Churchill Downs Host and Racing Analyst Joe Kristufek, TwinSpires.com Racing Analyst Ed DeRosa, Brisnet.com Racing Analyst James Scully, and TwinSpires.com Clocker Brandon Stauble.
Different from year’s past, training hours at Churchill Downs will be 5:15-10 a.m. daily through May 3 with 7-7:30 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. breaks to renovate the racetrack. A special 15-minute session from 7:30-7:45 a.m. (formerly 8:30-8:45 a.m. in years past) is exclusive to Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1) participants and any workmates. The specially-made Derby and Oaks saddle towels must be worn to gain access to the racetrack during that window.
The exclusive Derby and Oaks training session Saturday morning is expected to feature workouts by Coach Rocks, Flameaway, Free Drop Billy, Monomoy Girl, and Promises Fulfilled. Classy Act is scheduled to breeze at 5:30 a.m. and Blamed is slated to breeze at either 6 a.m. or 7:30 a.m., according to their trainers.
