Pletcher’s Derby brigade out in force at Churchill, Keeneland

Materiality took a spin around Churchill Downs on Thursday (Rickelle Nelson/Horsephotos.com)

Trainer Todd Pletcher had his Kentucky Derby hopefuls going through their
morning paces on two fronts Thursday.

First up for Pletcher was Rebel S. (G2) second Madefromlucky (Lookin at
Lucky), who galloped a little more than 1 1/4 miles shortly after 6 a.m. (EDT) with Ezequiel
Perez up. At 8:30, Florida Derby (G1) victor Materiality (Afleet Alex) and Carlos Cano,
Fountain of Youth S. (G2) winner Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid) and Perez, and
Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Stanford (Malibu Moon) and Isabelle Bourez all went through a similar exercise.

After that, Pletcher was off to Keeneland where he arrived shortly before 10 a.m. to watch Blue Grass
S. (G1) conqueror Carpe Diem (Giant’s Causeway) head to the
track and gallop 1 1/2 miles clockwise around the main track with exercise rider Patti Krotenko aboard.

“He seemed to be moving really well; he was happy,”
Pletcher said. “All signs were very good.”

Third among point earners on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), Carpe Diem
is owned by WinStar Farm and Stonestreet Stables. Joining Pletcher Thursday
morning to watch the chestnut colt were WinStar owner Kenny Troutt and the
farm’s president, Elliott Walden.

Carpe Diem is scheduled to work Sunday (Keeneland Photos)

Pletcher is also keeping an eye on the forecast in regards to his two Kentucky Oaks
(G1) hopefuls — Grade 1 vixen Angela Renee (Bernardini) and dual Grade 2-placed
Eskenformoney (Eskendereya) — taking to the track Friday morning with race riders aboard.

“John (Velazquez) will be on Angela Renee and Javier (Castellano) on
Eskenformoney,” Pletcher said of the fillies who galloped a little more than 1
1/4 miles Thursday morning. “The time of the works will be determined.
I am watching the weather.”

Adele Bellinger was aboard both fillies Thursday
morning, taking Eskenmoney out in Pletcher’s first set around 6 a.m. and Angela Renee during the 8:30-8:45 training period reserved for Kentucky Derby
and Oaks contenders at Churchill.

Other than trying to forecast the winner of Kentucky Derby
141, probably the most tricky thing in Louisville this time of year is trying to
forecast the weather.

It is the latter item that has participants deeply involved
in former what’s going to happen the next 48 hours here with many Derby and some
Kentucky Oaks work on the radar.

Angela Renee will have race rider John Velazquez aboard for her expected Friday move (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

“We would most likely stay on for Saturday,” Weaver nodded. “I am bringing Manny Franco in for the work and it
would be kind of a pain to have to change. I like to stay on seven days. He
worked last Saturday and the Derby is next Saturday.

“The thing is, if you plan to work at 8:30 and there is lightning, it could
get dangerous. If it is not dangerous out there, we will go. I am not
uncomfortable with this track when it is wet.”

Tencendur galloped 1 3/8 miles after
the renovation break with exercise rider Blair Golen aboard on a clear and cool
Thursday morning.

“He galloped well this morning and everything looks good,”
said Weaver, who arrived in Louisville Wednesday after training hours.

In other Kentucky Derby news, multiple Grade 2-placed War Story (Northern Afleet) walked the shedrow a day after working five
furlongs in 1:02 at Churchill.

“He came out of the work fine and will go back to the track
tomorrow to jog,” trainer Tom Amoss said.

Mubtaahij is scheduled to ship to Churchill on Monday (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) romper
Mubtaahij (Dubawi) cantered one lap then jogged a second lap over Arlington’s Polytrack surface
on Thursday, and likely will do the same Friday before an
anticipated breeze Saturday, similar to the three-eighths he did Tuesday.

“All
good, he’s going great,” said Trevor Brown, assistant to trainer Mike de Kock

Christophe Soumillon has the Derby mount on Mubtaahij, who is scheduled to ship
after his morning work is finished at Arlington on Monday for Churchill. De Kock arrives
in Louisville on Sunday.

A few Oaks hopefuls are scheduled to take to the track on Friday, including
Grade 1 heroine Condo Commando (Tiz Wonderful), Grade 2-placed Forever Unbridled
(Unbridled’s Song), dual Grade 3-placed Oceanwave (Harlan’s Holiday) and Grade 3
victress Sarah Sis (Sharp Humor).

Multiple Grade 2 queen Birdatthewire (Summer Bird) and Gazelle S. (G2)
runner-up Puca (Big Brown) are both scheduled to work Saturday.