Kentucky Derby hopefuls were out in force at Palm Meadows on Monday, led by
Grade 2 Fountain of Youth contestants Union Rags, Algorithms and Discreet
Dancer, all working toward their clash at Gulfstream Park February 26.
Grade 1 Champagne star Union Rags was introduced to new rider Julien Leparoux,
who guided the Michael Matz pupil through five furlongs in 1:03 on the fast main
track.
“Very happy I’ve got to know Union Rags this morning,” Leparoux tweeted.
“Breeze went good.”
Union Rags had romped in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special prior to his Champagne
heroics. The Dixie Union colt endured his first loss in the November 5 Breeders’
Cup Juvenile, where he was beaten just a head by Hansen after a wide trip.
Regular rider Javier Castellano gave up the mount aboard Union Rags in order
to maintain his partnership with the Todd Pletcher-trained Algorithms in the
Fountain of Youth. Union Rags ranked as the favored individual interest in Pool
1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, bet down to 7-1 at Sunday’s closing time.
Undefeated Algorithms extended his record to three-for-three, while handing
Hansen his first loss, with a dominant victory in the Grade 3 Holy Bull January
29.
In his Monday work, Algorithms toured a half-mile in :49 1/5. The 1 1/16-mile
Fountain of Youth will serve as his first two-turn attempt for the son of
Bernardini.
Stablemate and fellow unbeaten Discreet Dancer zipped five furlongs in 1:00
4/5. A track record-setting debut winner sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream
on December 3, the Pletcher pupil easily captured an entry-level allowance going
a one-turn mile on January 7.
Discreet Dancer, who missed a work last week reportedly due to a fever, will
likewise be tackling a route for the first time in the Fountain of Youth.
Four other notable Pletcher sophomores posted works.
Gemologist, undefeated winner of the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club, negotiated
a half-mile in :49 3/5.
Freshened after that November victory at Churchill Downs, the Tiznow colt was
recording just his second work back. Gemologist could return in the Grade 2
Tampa Bay Derby on March 10 or the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn on March 17.
Grade 2 Remsen third El Padrino, a smashing optional claiming winner at
Gulfstream on January 29, reeled off four furlongs in :48 1/5. The well-bred son
of Pulpit is scheduled to ship to Fair Grounds for the Grade 2 Risen Star on
February 25.
Grade 2 Demoiselle diva Disposablepleasure, prepping for her
reappearance in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra on the same day at Fair Grounds,
traveled five panels in 1:02 3/5. The Giacomo filly is nominated to the Triple
Crown.
On the firm turf, Our Entourage covered five-eighths in 1:05. Fifth in both
the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity and the Remsen, the turf maiden winner is
expected to revert to the grass.