The Todd Pletcher duo of Lexington S. (G2) winner ADVICE (Chapel Royal) and
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) runner-up JOIN IN THE DANCE (Sky Mesa) both galloped at
Churchill Downs on Thursday, with exercise rider Kevin Willey aboard both. The
pair had just arrived at Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Wednesday.
Advice has enough graded earnings to get into the Kentucky Derby (G1) field,
but the WinStar colorbearer is not yet confirmed for the Run for the Roses.
Fifth in the Blue Grass S. (G1) last time out, Join in the Dance is currently
21st on the graded earnings list.
Pletcher’s leading Derby hope, Florida Derby (G1) runner-up DUNKIRK (Unbridled’s
Song), is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on April 28 along with his
trainer.
El Camino Real Derby (G3) victor CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) took one
loop around the paddock and then jogged one mile with exercise rider Lindsey
Molina up. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is scheduled to return to
Louisville,Kentucky, on Saturday with the colt’s final pre-Derby work slated for
Monday or Tuesday.
Smarty Jones S. scorer FLAT OUT (Flatter) was “feeling good” Thursday morning
according to trainer Charles “Scooter” Dickey. He galloped 1 3/4 miles with
exercise rider and assistant trainer Walter Aguilar in the irons.
Flat Out is 23rd on the graded earnings list and will need a couple of
defections in order to make the field for Derby 135.
Dickey, who hopes to name a rider for Flat Out within the “next few days,”
wants that rider to be aboard for Flat Out’s final work, which will be Sunday,
Monday or Tuesday.
Lane’s End S. (G2) runner-up FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus) jogged two
miles with exercise rider Taylor Carty aboard. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said
Flying Private will put in his final work on Monday or Tuesday.
Lane’s End hero HOLD ME BACK (Giant’s Causeway) “made two rounds” of the
track with assistant trainer Kenny McCarthy up, according to trainer Bill Mott.
Runner-up in the Blue Grass S. (G1) in his most recent start, Hold Me Back had
arrived at Churchill Downs on Wednesday from Keeneland.
Mott said that Hold Me Back would work Sunday or Monday.
Wood Memorial S. (G1) winner I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) galloped 1 1/2
miles under Joe Deegan shortly after the racetrack opened for training. Bobby
Troeger, assistant to trainer Jeff Mullins, said I Want Revenge would visit the
paddock on Friday as part of his morning activity.
I Want Revenge is scheduled for his final pre-Derby work on Tuesday.
Canadian champion MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) jogged a half-mile and then
galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Charlie Figueroa before the renovation
break.
“He looked sharp this morning, came back bucking and play and he doesn’t do
that at home,” trainer Chip Woolley said.
Derby rider Calvin Borel is scheduled to work Mine That Bird on Monday.
Illinois Derby (G2) winner MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) galloped 2 1/4 miles under
exercise rider Salvador Dominguez early Thursday morning.
“He two-minute licked the second time around,” trainer Derek Ryan said.
Musket Man is scheduled to have his final pre-Derby work on Saturday.
Arkansas Derby (G2) victor PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) galloped 1 1/2 miles
before the renovation break with exercise rider Nate Quinonez up.
“He’ll gallop a mile and a half in the morning and then work Saturday,”
trainer Gary Stute said.
Santa Anita Derby (G1) star PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) stood in the
starting gate and jogged once around with exercise rider George Alvarez up. The
Bob Baffert charge is scheduled for his final pre-Derby work on Monday or
Tuesday.
Breeders’ Futurity (G1) romper SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) visited the
paddock and then galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Tony Romero. Leandro
Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, said more paddock schooling would be on
tap for Square Eddie, whose final pre-Derby work is slated for Saturday or
Sunday.
Arkansas Derby third SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone) galloped 1 1/2 miles under
jockey Chris Rosier after the renovation break. The Tim Ice pupil is scheduled
to work six furlongs after the break Friday morning with Rosier up.
Wood Memorial runner-up WEST SIDE BERNIE (Bernstein) galloped 1 5/8 miles
with trainer Kelly Breen up before the renovation break. The Grade 3 scorer is
scheduled to work Saturday morning.
Rebel S. (G2) upsetter WIN WILLY (Monarchos) arrived at Churchill Downs
shortly after 10 a.m. (EDT) Thursday and settled in at Barn 45, Stall 21.
Louisiana Derby (G2) hero FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) is scheduled to arrive at
Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Friday afternoon.
Santa Anita Derby third MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow) is scheduled to arrive at
Churchill Downs on Monday following a flight from southern California. The
WinStar colt will work for trainer Eoin Harty on Sunday over the synthetic
Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita.
Mr. Hot Stuff does not have a confirmed rider at this point, but Harty said
there’s no rush to make that assignment.
“We’ll just wait and see what happens,” he said. “Unfortunately, or
fortunately, something could happen to one of the other horses and a rider will
come available. There are plenty of riders out there, so we’ll deal with
that one when we come to it.”