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Bodemeister work pleases Baffert

Bodemeister "skipped over" the track, according to Bob Baffert, while working five furlongs (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography) Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister, working in company with stablemate and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks candidate Jemima's Pearl, worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5, the third fastest of 23 at the distance on a clear, brisk Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs over the fast main track. Working after the morning renovation break in the time reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Jemima's Pearl started about four lengths in front under Shaun Bridgmohan for the drill that began at the 4 1/2-furlong pole. Bodemeister, with Martin Garcia up, halved the margin by the quarter pole and the two finished on even terms at the 7 1/2-furlong pole.

Fractions for Bodemeister were :12 4/5, :25, :36 4/5, :48 4/5 with a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:13.

"I liked the way he went this morning," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He likes this track. He just skipped over it. He is very fluid when he picks it up and just floats over the ground."

Mike Smith, who was aboard Bodemeister for his 9 1/2-length romp in the Arkansas Derby, has the Kentucky Derby riding assignment.

As Bodemeister finished his work, Grade 1 winner Liaison made his first appearance on the track and galloped 1 1/2 miles under George Alvarez. Liaison had arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon from his Southern California base.

"I'm gonna run him (in the Derby)," Baffert said. "He was a different horse out there today. He was never comfortable at Santa Anita and just didn't like the track."

Baffert said that Garcia, who was aboard Liaison for his fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 San Felipe, would have the mount in the Derby.

Mark Valeski walked the shedrow at Barn 35, a day after working five furlongs in :59 3/5 under jockey Rosie Napravnik.

"He came out of the work fine," trainer Larry Jones said.

Mark Valeski is scheduled for his final Derby work next Monday.

Former Kentucky governor Brereton Jones, who owns Mark Valeski, also owns Believe You Can, a leading candidate for the Kentucky Oaks. No owner has completed an Oaks-Derby double since Calumet Farm in 1952 with Real Delight and Hill Gail and the feat has been accomplished only two other times.

In other Kentucky Derby news:

Creative Cause, a leading Derby contender based at Betfair Hollywood Park with trainer Mike Harrington, recorded his final California work on Tuesday, logging five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 over the Cushion Track.

The Grade 1-winning colt is scheduled to leave for Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday and will work once more at Churchill Downs next Tuesday, weather permitting.

Beaten a length when third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Creative Cause opened 2012 with a third in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes and then captured the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, defeating Bodemeister by nearly a length. He exits a nose second to I'll Have Another in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

Harrington told reporters Tuesday morning that Creative Cause will run without blinkers in the Kentucky Derby. The gray sophomore raced without the headgear for the first time in the Santa Anita Derby.

The Steve Asmussen-trained trio of Daddy Nose Best, Isn't He Clever and Sabercat walked the shedrow Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs and all came out of their Monday workouts in good order, according to assistant trainer Scott Blasi.

More Triple Crown News & Notes:

American Pharaoh back at Churchill, to parade Stephen Foster night

Zayat, Baffert hail Triple Crown champion American Pharoah

Espinoza's schedule remains packed; McAnally reminisces on past TC winners

Baffert: American Pharoah is 'my best hope for the Triple Crown'

Pletcher reminisces on past Belmont victories

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