Derby quintet work at Churchill Downs

Sun King will try to improve on his Blue Grass fourth in the Derby (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Five horses pointing toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) worked over a fast track at Churchill Downs on Thursday. Trainer Nick Zito sent out two of his five contenders for the "Run for the Roses." Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner SUN KING (Charismatic), who finished a non-threatening fourth in the Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland, breezed five furlongs in 1:00 under exercise rider Maxine Correa. The dark bay colt broke off behind two workmates, collared the duo at the top of the stretch, and then drew off late. The move by Sun King was the second fastest of 35 works at the distance. "I thought he went very, very well," Zito said. "Sometimes you work horses psychologically, that is why I worked him with those two horses. You know, sometimes things don't go your way and it certainly wasn't Sun King's fault in the Blue Grass. We wanted to make him feel good, like I'm a terrific horses and the Blue Grass wasn't my fault. That's why we did it that way today." After the maintenance break, ANDROMEDA'S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. "I thought he worked extremely well," Zito said. "All I wanted was the last part. He's a horse that obviously comes from behind and it looks like he is getting better. He is definitely a horse that can get the mile-and-a-quarter trip. The work was exactly what I wanted." After the work, Andromeda's Hero traveled back to Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, where he will remain until late next week. "I will probably bring him back Thursday or Friday, at the worst Friday," Zito said. "I know Patrick (Biancone) did that (came over Derby morning) last year (with runner-up Lion Heart) and Kenny McPeek did it (with runner-up Tejano Run in 1995), and a lot of horses have run well, but I would rather bring him over a day or two before."

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.