Brother Derek gallops at Churchill Downs

Brother Derek jogged beneath the twin spires on Friday  (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) Santa Anita Derby (G1) hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark), the probable morning-line favorite for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1), made his first trip to the Churchill Downs main track on Friday morning. The Dan Hendricks-trained colt jogged once around the one-mile oval and then galloped once around under exercise rider Louis Ortega. “He looked fine,” Hendricks said. “Louis said he handled the track fine.” Brother Derek arrived at Churchill Downs around noon Thursday. “He shipped well, without any problems and seems to be very comfortable,” Hendricks said. Brother Derek, who began the season with victories in the San Rafael S. (G2) and Santa Catalina S. (G2) prior to his 3 1/4-length romp in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby, is scheduled to work on Monday with Derby rider Alex Solis aboard. In other Kentucky Derby news: Trainer Todd Pletcher said he may work his trio of Derby contenders on Saturday, rather than Sunday, due the possibility of an off track. “Right now, I’m leaning toward working them all on Saturday,” Pletcher said.

Florida Derby (G1) third SUNRIVER (Saint Ballado), who is on the outside
looking in with regard to graded earnings, galloped 1 3/8 miles on Friday under
retired Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. Hutcheson S. (G2) winner KEYED
ENTRY (Honour and Glory), third in the Wood Memorial (G1) last out, and Remsen S.
(G2) winner BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat) each galloped 1 1/4 miles under the Twin Spires.

Pat Valenzuela is slated to ride Keyed Entry in Derby 132, but the mounts on
the other two horses remain open.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin plans to work JAZIL
(Seeking the Gold), a fast-closing second in the Wood Memorial, and FLASHY BULL (Holy Bull), currently 21st on the graded
earnings list, in company at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

“They’re going to work five-eighths together about 8:40 tomorrow morning,”
McLaughlin said. “Angel Cordero will sit on Jazil and Desi (exercise rider
Desmond Farrell) will be on Flashy Bull.”

With a number of Derby contenders expected to be near the early lead, McLaughlin
thinks the pace scenario may help the late-running Jazil.

“There’s an awful lot of pace,” McLaughlin said. “Jazil, we think it will
favor him coming from way back. We just have to weave through 19 other horses
while they’re backing up.”

Fernando Jara is scheduled to ride Jazil in the “Run for the Roses,” while
Mike Smith has the call on Flashy Bull, should he get into the field.