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| Staff Writer |
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The decision on whether to run Built in the May 3 Gr.1 Kentucky Derby remains uncertain, but the colt continues to impress in his preparations at Churchill Downs.
The Hard Spun progeny delivered a standout performance yesterday morning, clocking a bullet five furlongs in :59 2/5 with jockey Ben Curtis aboard – the only horse from nine working that distance to break the minute barrier.
"We were looking to do a good bit of work today, let him use himself and get a bit out of it," Curtis said. "He hit the pole relaxed and comfortable, we picked it up all the way around. He came around to the seven-eighths fantastic. I let him gear down from there. He'd done enough at that stage. He moved great, he felt great. I think everyone was very happy after the breeze."
Trainer Wayne Catalano confirmed his satisfaction with the workout, particularly noting: "I liked the way he finished up, came home in 23 (seconds for the final quarter-mile)."
With entries for America's most prestigious race due tomorrow morning, Catalano and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' president Aron Wellman are planning to make their final decision today after assessing how the colt recovers.
"We'll see how he worked, how he comes out of it, and I'll talk to Aron and go from there," Catalano said. "As far as the horse goes, right now looks good, worked good, scoped good, I'm happy with everything."
Catalano, who hasn't saddled a Derby runner since Crypto Star finished fifth in 1997, has witnessed Built's progression through Louisiana's Derby trail this winter. The colt won the Gun Runner Stakes and finished a close second in the Gr.3 Lecomte Stakes over 1 1/16 miles.
However, his performances stretched further when making early moves in both the 1 1/8-mile Gr.2 Risen Star Stakes and 1 3/16-mile Gr.2 Louisiana Derby , finishing third and fifth respectively.
Some observers question whether Built possesses the stamina for the Derby's 1 1/4-mile challenge, but Catalano remains uncertain whether distance or riding tactics have been the issue.
"If the jock waits until the quarter pole instead of the three-eighths and the half, I'm gonna get a better finish," Catalano said. "I couldn't get a good read on him, I can't get the trip that I wanted. The mile and a quarter looks like—I don't know if he can get that. The jury is going to be out for most of them anyway. It always is, right?"
The colt has experienced multiple jockey changes, with Jareth Loveberry riding in his first two Louisiana preps before switching to Luis Saez and then Jose Ortiz. No decision on his Kentucky Derby rider has been confirmed, though Curtis impressed in the morning workout.
"(Curtis) was a good pilot this morning," Catalano said. "He did what I wanted him to do."
Curtis, who experienced his first Derby ride last year aboard Honor Marie, finishing eighth after a troubled start, is hoping for another chance in the American classic.
Should Built bypass the Derby, the beneficiary would be Neoequos. The Neolithic colt, who finished third in both the Gr.2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and Gr.1 Florida Derby , currently sits 21st on the leaderboard for the 20-runner maximum field.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Neoequos fired a bullet half-mile work at Gulfstream Park yesterday, clocking :48.43, the fastest of 16 workouts at the distance.
Meanwhile, Owen Almighty, once considered doubtful for the Derby after a disappointing sixth in the Gr.1 Blue Grass Stakes , has been confirmed back in contention.
The Speightstown colt, trained by Brian Lynch, completed his five-furlong workout in 1:01 3/5 yesterday at Churchill Downs, the third fastest of nine at the distance. Working alongside stablemate Nosleeptilbrooklyn, the Gr.3 Tampa Bay Derby winner practised rating tactics.
"We were just trying to get him nice and settled rating off horses going into the race with the way it is going to be pace scenario-wise," said Lynch's assistant trainer and son, Nic. "We were pretty pleased with how he started off very nice and relaxed. They quickened up as they finished up the work, and he made the move we were hoping for, and he galloped out very good. We were pleased with what we saw today."
This will be Brian Lynch's second Derby starter after Classic Causeway finished 11th in 2022. For his 24-year-old son Nic, who wasn't working in his father's yard at that time, it's an exciting experience.
"I'm very grateful that I do get this opportunity to work with my dad, It's a world-famous event," he said. "To be part of it—we're a family operation—it's very special."