Bayern works at Churchill; Napravnik delighted

Bayern can serve up a real challenge to California Chrome, according to Rosie Napravnik (Benoit Photos)

Bayern, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s hope for a sixth Preakness
victory, worked five furlongs over a fast track at Churchill Downs early Monday
morning in 1:02 3/5. Jockey Rosie Napravnik was aboard for the work in company
with five-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Drill, who clocked 1:02 4/5.

Owned by Kaleem Shah, Bayern and jockey Rosie Napravnik stepped onto the
track shortly after 6 a.m. (EDT). Starting about a length back on the outside of
Drill, who was ridden by Jorge Alvarez, Bayern produced fractions of :13 3/5,
:26 2/5, :38 4/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15 1/5.

The five-furlong move tied for the ninth fastest of 17 at the distance.

“I love that horse,” Napravnik said of Bayern. “He always relaxes for me and
does what you ask.”

Napravnik rode Bayern for the first time in a race in the Derby Trial,
finishing first but disqualified to second for interference in the stretch. She
also has been aboard for three workouts at Churchill Downs and is ready to
tackle Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome in the Preakness.

“California Chrome is very impressive,” said Napravnik, who finished third in
last year’s Preakness on Mylute. “But he (Bayern) definitely will be a challenge
for him.”

Also at Churchill on Monday, John Oxley’s Dynamic Impact walked the shedrow
at Barn 36, a day after working five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 in preparation for the
Preakness.