Arkansas Derby (G2) winner AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) made two trips to
the sloppy track at Churchill Downs on a chilly morning Saturday. The bay colt made his first
venture to the track at 6:15 a.m. (EDT) to jog twice around and returned later
in the morning at 8:45 a.m. to gallop a mile. Both trips were made under
regular exercise rider Salomon Diego. Trainer Tim Richey is scheduled to arrive
in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday from his main base at Delaware Park. Jockey Jeremy Rose,
who has ridden Afleet Alex in all but one of his starts, will have the call for the Derby.
Todd Pletcher sent his two hopefuls, Blue Grass S. (G1) hero BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus) and
Lane’s End S. (G2) victor FLOWER
ALLEY (Distorted Humor), out for 1 1/2-mile gallops Saturday morning.
“They went super over the sloppy going this morning,” Pletcher said. “It
looks like they settled in well.”
The two Derby contenders shipped into Churchill Friday afternoon from
Keeneland as part of an 11-horse contingent. Bandini and Flower Alley will most
likely work next Saturday or Sunday, according to Pletcher. John Velazquez
will have the call aboard Bandini on May 7 while Flower Alley will be ridden by
Jorge Chavez.
Nick Zito decided to keep his challengers under the shedrow, but said that on
Thursday he plans to breeze Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner SUN KING (Charismatic),
who finished fourth last out in the Blue Grass. Two of Zito’s other Derby contenders, HIGH
FLY (Atticus) and NOBLE CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway), spent the morning walking
the shedrow after working on Friday.
The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Grade 1 winner CONSOLIDATOR (Storm Cat) galloped early Saturday
morning with exercise rider Stacy Maker up. Lukas has not yet named a rider for
the chestnut colt.
Rebel S. (G3) hero GREATER GOOD (Intidab) also made an
appearance on the main track, galloping a mile with exercise rider Betsy Couch
after the renovation break. Trainer Bob Holthus said that the colt would
“probably work Friday.” Greater Good finished fifth in the Arkansas Derby in his
last outing. Regular rider John McKee is scheduled to be aboard for the
Kentucky Derby.
Illinois Derby (G2) winner GREELEY’S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley), who has not yet been nominated for the race,
walked the shedrow Saturday after his 1:16 4/5 six-furlong workout on Friday.
Trainer Glen Stute is planning to fly in Wednesday to oversee a breeze for
Thursday. Jockey Kent Desormeaux will have piloting duties if the chestnut colt
draws in to the Derby.
Trainer Bobby Frankel was content to walk Blue Grass runner-up HIGH LIMIT
(Maria’s Mon), who captured the Louisiana Derby (G2) prior to that race, in the barn Saturday morning, but said that he would send the colt
out for one last work on Saturday or Sunday. Frankel said a stronger “open
gallop” was also scheduled sometime during the week.
Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up GENERAL JOHN B (Sweetsouthernsaint) will fly into Louisville from California
next Saturday for conditioner Roger Stein. The dark bay will have one more
breeze at Santa Anita on Monday before shipping to Kentucky.
CLOSING ARGUMENT (Successful Appeal) will travel west from Lexington,
Kentucky, on April 29 for the Derby. While still at Keeneland, Closing Argument
will work four furlongs on Monday for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. His final
breeze before the Derby will be a five-furlong trip at Churchill next Sunday.
Cornelio Velasquez is expected to be aboard for the Derby.