Grade 1 hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) geared up for his next stop on the
Kentucky Derby (G1) trail by breezing five-eighths in 1:00 1/5 over Santa
Anita’s fast main track on Sunday. It was the Dan Hendricks trainee’s final
major workout for next Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1).
“I got him in a minute and change and out in :12 and change, just like I
wanted,” Hendricks said. “(Jockey) Alex (Solis) was just sitting on him nice
and relaxed. Alex never moved on him. Everything’s going to plan. He’s healthy,
he’s happy and we’re ready to roll. He’s a little machine.”
“He was sensational,” private clocker Toby Turrell exclaimed. “I could not have
written a script to have the work go any better, at any point.”
Hendricks did take a moment to comment on Barbaro’s (Dynaformer) half-length
Florida Derby (G1) win.
“It looks like the horse did what he had to do,” the conditioner said. “He
won another race yesterday, he’s undefeated and he won at a mile and an eighth
twice. He’s the likely (Kentucky) Derby (G1) favorite. I want to be second
choice.”
Borderland Derby hero INDY WILDCAT (A.P. Indy), also prepping for the Santa
Anita Derby, logged four panels in :48 1/5.
Santa Anita Derby hopeful SACRED LIGHT (Holy Bull), second to Brother Derek
in the Santa Catalina S. (G2) and third in the Sham to Bob and John, worked a
co-bullet three-quarters in 1:12 over fast dirt at Hollywood Park for trainer
David Hofmans. Aaron Gryder, who rode him last out in the Santa Catalina, was
aboard for the move.
“He worked in company with another horse and Aaron Gryder came over to work
him,” Hofmans said. “He went very nice. I worked him in company so he could show
a bit more interest. He’s all set. He’ll gallop into the race.”
Hofmans won’t be on hand to watch his charge, opting instead to travel to
Kentucky to saddle Balance (Thunder Gulch) in the Ashland S. (G1) during
Keeneland’s opening weekend.
POINT DETERMINED (Point Given), second to A. P. Warrior (A.P. Indy) in the
San Felipe S. (G2) last out and headed to the Santa Anita Derby, worked five
furlongs in :59 4/5 at Santa Anita. Jockey Victor Espinoza was aboard for the
move.
“He went very nice,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “Victor loved him.”
Baffert had two other sophomores on the track Sunday, each preparing for
their races next Saturday.
Sham S. (G3) winner BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold), third in the San
Felipe most recently, worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:11 1/5 under jockey
Garrett Gomez and is headed for
the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct.
Bob and John’s stablemate, San Vicente S. (G2) victor TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano), traveled
five panels in 1:00 2/5 in advance of the Bay Shore S. (G3), also at Aqueduct. Baffert said Too Much Bling and Bob and John will leave Wednesday for their New
York engagements.
Hutcheson S. (G2) winner KEYED ENTRY (Honour and Glory) worked five furlongs on the fast dirt
training track at Belmont Park in 1:01 4/5 to prepare for the Wood. The Todd
Pletcher charge suffered his first career defeat when second by a neck in the
Gotham S. (G3) most recently.
“That was exactly what we were looking for,” Pletcher said. “All he needed
was a maintenance work after running three weeks ago.”
The 8 1/2-furlong Gotham was Keyed Entry’s first try around two turns.
“He seemed to handle a mile and a sixteenth fine,” Pletcher added. “Judging
from the way he ran in the Gotham and looking at his pedigree, he should be fine
at a mile and an eighth (in the Wood).”
Also preparing for the Wood, the undefeated SHOWING UP (Strategic Mission)
worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 on the fast dirt at Gulfstream Park.
“This is going to be a big jump for him,” trainer Barclay Tagg said,
referring to the fact that Showing Up will be making his stakes debut and first
try around two turns in the Wood. “I usually don’t like to do this sort of
thing, but he’s got such a good psyche about him. He does things with such ease.
Mentally, it’s like he’s done it 100 times.
Showing Up runs for Lael Stables, who are also the owners of likely Derby
favorite Barbaro.