Bold Conquest works at Churchill; Mubtaahij takes tour of Arlington

Bold Conquest works at Churchill; Mubtaahij takes tour of
Arlington

Bold Conquest needs three defections to land in the Derby starting gate (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography) The Ackerley Brothers Farm’s Bold Conquest (Curlin) worked five furlongs over a track labeled as good in 1:02 4/5 on an overcast Monday morning at Churchill Downs. Working after the morning renovation break during the time reserved for Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) candidates, Bold Conquest produced fractions of :12 3/5, :24 4/5, :37 2/5, :50 1/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16 4/5. Exercise rider Abel Flores was aboard for the work that was the sixth fastest of nine at the distance. Trainer Steve Asmussen, who is attending the spring sale of two-year-olds in training in Ocala, Florida, texted after the work: “He just ran eight days ago, so he didn’t need much.” Fifth in the April 11 Arkansas Derby (G1), Bold Conquest stands 23rd on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. He would need three defections from horses under consideration for the Kentucky Derby to fall by the wayside by the time entries are taken April 29.

Philip Birsh’s Tencendur (Warrior’s Reward) arrived at Churchill Downs at 5
a.m. (EDT) Monday morning after vanning from Belmont Park. According to Daily
Racing Form‘s David Grening, Manny Franco will get the mount in the Derby.

Meanwhile at Arlington Park, Dubai shipper Mubtaahij (Dubawi) had a two-lap
spin over the Polytrack surface Monday morning under regular work rider Lisa
Moncrieff.

The first was just a jog the wrong way after which he turned and did one lap
in an easy canter. He went in company with stablemate and anticipated Woodford
Reserve Turf Classic (G1) starter Umgiyo (Danehill Dancer).

“We were very happy with both our horses today. They were perky and bright
eyed and appear to have suffered no ill effects from the long travel,” assistant
trainer Trevor Brown said. “They have settled well and are eating up.”

Brown advised that, after consultation with trainer Mike de Kock, still in
South Africa and due to arrive stateside this weekend, Mubtaahij likely will
work a half-mile on Tuesday.

“He will likely go very easy in the first furlong and pick it up from there,”
Brown said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum’s colorbearer secured a Kentucky Derby
berth by romping in the March 28 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2).

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