War Front, Mr. Z turn in Derby works

Mr. Z will bring plenty of seasoning and experience into the Kentucky Derby (Adam Mooshian/Adam Coglianese Photography) Two Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, War Story (War Front) and Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) turned in five-furlong breezes over a fast track Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. Working first on his own as the track opened at 5:45 a.m. (EDT) was War Story. With Dylan Davis aboard for trainer Tom Amoss, War Story produced fractions of :12 4/5, :24 4/5, :36 2/5, :49 and out six furlongs in 1:15 3/5. The five-eighths move was the seventh fastest of 20 at the distance for the morning. “That was a typical work for him,” Amoss said. “He definitely knows the difference between practice and a race. To say that he is a lazy work horse is accurate.”

It was the third local work for War Story since finishing third in the
Louisiana Derby (G2). He was ridden that day by Joe Talamo, who has the Derby
call.

“This work was similar to his others except that his extension of stride was
nicer this morning,” Amoss said. “This will probably be his last work. This is
the plan we used before the Risen Star (working 10 days before the race) and
that worked well.”

A winner of his first two starts and graded stakes-placed in his next three,
War Story won his only start at Churchill Downs with that coming last fall.

“He has improved daily and I see an enthusiastic horse,” Amoss said. “War
Story deserves to be in the Derby. Off his past performances, it would be
accurate to say that he is a contender would be a reach. He has got to improve
dramatically to win this race.”

After the morning renovation break, Mr. Z worked five furlongs in 1:01 in
company with Majestico (Majesticperfection). Starting a length in back of his
workmate and finishing on even terms, Mr. Z produced fractions of :12 4/5, :25,
:37, :48 3/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15 3/5.

Exercise rider Edvin Vargas was aboard Mr. Z for the work that was the fourth
fastest of the morning.

“I thought it was fine,” trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “You don’t get paid at
8:30 in the morning.”

Ramon Vazquez, who rode Mr. Z to a third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby
(G1), will have the Kentucky Derby mount.

Mr. Z broke his maiden at first asking at Churchill Downs and has added seven
graded-stakes placings in a career that spans 12 races.

“He is probably the most seasoned horse in the race and didn’t need to do too
much,” Lukas said. “Plus, he has an affinity for this race track.”

For the full Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1) tracknotes for April 22,
click
here.

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