Trainer Nick Zito sent out two of his five contenders for the “Run for the
“I thought he went very, very well,” Zito said. “Sometimes you work horses
After the maintenance break, ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5
“I thought he worked extremely well,” Zito said. “All I wanted was the last
After the work, Andromeda’s Hero traveled back to Keeneland in Lexington,
“I will probably bring him back Thursday or Friday, at the worst Friday,”
|
No rider has been confirmed for the chestnut, who most recently finished
third in the Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Louisiana Derby (G2) winner HIGH LIMIT (Maria’s Mon), who exits a runner-up
effort in the Blue Grass, breezed three-quarters of a mile, the first five
furlongs in company
with Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (Awesome Again), who is expected to make his seasonal debut in the
Metropolitan H. (G1) at Belmont Park on May 30.
The pair began the work with Ghostzapper and jockey Javier Castellano on the
rail, some two lengths in front of High Limit and jockey Joe Deegan. The duo
breezed five furlongs together in 1:00 2/5, and High Limit went on to complete
six furlongs in a bullet 1:13 4/5.
“I knew he’d stay with the other horse (Ghostzapper),” Frankel said. “The
other horse was pulling up at the wire, but the other horse is a freak.”
High Limit has displayed a tendency to jump tire tracks left by the starting
gate in the stretch in each of his last two races and Frankel had considered
outfitting the colt with blinkers, but he said that will not happen before the
Derby.
“It would be very hard to do right before this race,” Frankel said. “If it
was a normal race, we might try it. I’m not that brave. I think if he has a
horse in front of him, he’ll pay attention. I think he does it when he gets the
lead too soon.”
Frankel had originally planned to breeze High Limit over the weekend, but
changed his mind after looking at the weather forecast.
Rebel S. (G3) winner GREATER GOOD (Intidab) breezed six furlongs in 1:17 2/5
in company with five-year-old stakes winner River Mountain Rd (Deputy
Commander), who was timed in 1:05 1/5. Trained by Bob Holthus, Greater Good is coming off a distant
fifth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby (G2).
Greater Good was scheduled to break off a few length behind River Mountain
Rd, but despite jockey John McKee best efforts to restrain him, he began on even
terms with his workmate.
“He got away a little bit from the boy (McKee) going around to the pole and
he probably did a little more than we’d like for him to, but he did finish
strong and he galloped out seven-eighths in (a minute and) 31,” Holthus said.
“One good thing is we’ve got plenty of time to overcome it.”
Holthus said Greater Good’s over eagerness was out of character.
“He’s been pretty kind working that way,” Holthus said. “We’ve worked him
with a workmate all winter. But I guess today’s cool weather had him feeling
good.”
Illinois Derby (G2) winner GREELEY’S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley) breezed one mile in
1:40 3/5 with trainer Warren Stute and owner B. Wayne Hughes looking on.
“He got a little tired, and that’s what I wanted him to do,” Stute said.
“That’s the way you get them fit. A lot of horses that run are short, but very
seldom mine.”
Greeley’s Galaxy, who was not originally nominated to the Derby, will be
excluded from the field if 20 or more horses are entered in the 131st running
of the 1 1/4-mile classic.
In other Kentucky Derby news:
A decision on whether to run San Rafael S. (G2) winner SPANISH CHESTNUT
(Horse Chestnut [SAf]) in the Kentucky Derby will be made after a workout on
Monday, according to trainer Patrick Biancone. The chestnut colt will van from
Keeneland to Churchill Downs for the five-furlong work.