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| Staff Writer |
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Sandman put in his final major piece of work for Kentucky Derby 151 on a clear Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs, working five furlongs in 1:02.40 under Froylan Garcia for trainer Mark Casse.
Making their initial appearances on track after arriving Tuesday afternoon from California were expected Derby favourite Journalism, who galloped 1 1/8 miles for trainer Michael McCarthy, and Rodriguez, who galloped nearly 1 1/2 miles for trainer Bob Baffert.
"On a scale of 1 to 10 this gets a 10," Casse said after watching Gr.1 Arkansas Derby winner Sandman complete his final major preparations. "That was his last work before the Derby."
Casse watched the work from the grandstand and upon returning to the barn liked what he saw from the grey son of Tapit.
"I think he grows every time I look at him," Casse said. "He is more than 16 hands, more than 16-3."
With Froylan Garcia aboard and working on his own, Sandman produced fractions of :13.60, :26.20, :38, 1:02.40 and out six furlongs in 1:15.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
Admire Daytona – Junko Kondo's UAE Derby winner had a scheduled walk day following his half-mile breeze in :53.20 Tuesday morning.
Luxor Café – Koichi Nishikawa's runner is undergoing a 42-hour USDA quarantine in Chicago following his arrival from Japan on Monday. He is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Wednesday evening.
"It looked like he got over the track nicely," McCarthy said after watching Journalism gallop a mile and an eighth with Marc Witkowski aboard during the 7:15-7:30 training window.
McCarthy said any gate or paddock schooling was to be determined and, as far as a final work before the Derby, "I'm handicapping the weather."
Rain is in the forecast for Friday with a lesser chance of precipitation Saturday.
American Promise – BC Stables' runner galloped a mile and a half under Tayja Smith during the 7:15-7:30 training window. Winner of the Virginia Derby in his most recent start, the D. Wayne Lukas trainee is expected to work Friday or Saturday.
Built – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' horse galloped at 7:15 a.m. with trainer Wayne Catalano watching from the backstretch.
Burnham Square – Whitham Thoroughbreds' Gr.1 Blue Grass Stakes winner galloped a mile and a half at 7:15 under exercise rider Mark Cutler. Trainer Ian Wilkes said Burnham Square may have a gate schooling session one day this week and likely will have his second post-Blue Grass work on Saturday.
Chunk of Gold – Terry Stephens' Louisiana Derby runner-up galloped at Turfway Park under trainer Ethan West. The son of Preservationist is scheduled to work Friday.
Citizen Bull / Rodriguez – Half of Bob Baffert's Kentucky Derby contingent arrived Tuesday afternoon at Churchill Downs – Gr.2 Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez. The colt trained at 7:15 a.m. with exercise rider Humberto Gomez aboard. Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull is slated to arrive Thursday.
Coal Battle – Norman Stables' runner had a walk day Wednesday morning following his five-furlong work in 1:00.80 Tuesday morning. Following training hours, trainer Lonnie Briley sent Coal Battle to the paddock for a second schooling session. Coal Battle will represent the second Churchill Downs starter for Briley.
East Avenue – Godolphin's horse, runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes, galloped about 1 1/2 miles at 5:15 a.m. with exercise rider Stephen Dolan in the irons.
Final Gambit / Tappan Street – Gr.3 Juddmonte's Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Final Gambit and WinStar Farm, CHC Inc. and Cold Press Racing's Gr.1 Florida Derby winner Tappan Street galloped Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Both horses are scheduled to work Saturday.
Owen Almighty – Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's runner had a routine gallop under Antonio Orellana for trainer Brian Lynch. Owen Almighty is scheduled to work Friday.
Publisher / Tiztastic – Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's duo trained Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Asmussen was aboard his pony alongside Gr.1 Arkansas Derby runner-up Publisher while assistant trainer Scott Blasi was aboard a pony leading Gr.2 Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic to the paddock prior to galloping. Both horses have been on a Saturday work schedule.
Sovereignty – Godolphin's runner, runner-up in the Gr.1 Florida Derby in his most recent start, galloped during the 7:15-7:30 training window under Guesler Cardona. "No complaints this morning," trainer Bill Mott said. "He went through the paddock and then galloped out past the half-mile pole."