Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Mixed feelings for Pletcher
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The anticipation of April showers on Saturday and the desire to wear May flowers resulted in a flurry of workouts at Churchill Downs on Friday in preparation for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, with eight prospects drilling here, and two others elsewhere, totaling half the 20-horse field that will run for the roses.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, who worked four of his horses here, had the most starkly contrasting morning, with Always Dreaming dazzling in his final work but Battalion Runner working below par, which resulted in Pletcher saying he and owner Vinnie Viola would “have to make a decision” about running in the Derby.
Pletcher also worked Patch and Tapwrit, Mark Casse worked both Classic Empire and State of Honor, Chad Brown sent out Practical Joke, and Antonio Sano worked Gunnevera, all at Churchill Downs.
Over at Keeneland, Irap worked for trainer Doug O’Neill, and at Santa Anita, Battle of Midway worked for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
Always Dreaming had jockey John Velazquez aboard for his drill, which Daily Racing Form timed in 59.47 seconds for five furlongs. He was caught easing up a mile in 1:40.25.
“I thought it was an exceptional work,” said Pletcher, who acknowledged that Always Dreaming had been a bit too aggressive in his gallops the prior two days.
“Fortunately, for the work, we got a nice, relaxed atmosphere, and he handled the track great,” Pletcher said. “Johnny had his hands down, and he lengthened out. He did everything I was hoping he would do.”
Tapwrit and Patch went in company and were timed in 1:00.19 for five furlongs, with Tapwrit, under Derby rider Jose Ortiz, going the easier of the two coming to the wire.
“Tapwrit was a little more enthusiastic,” Pletcher said. “Patch is a little more lazy. They worked slower than Always Dreaming, but I liked the gallop-out.”
Pletcher was less enthused about Battalion Runner, who worked a half-mile in 48.59 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.19 under exercise rider Nick Bush.
“I didn’t think he breezed quite as well as the others,” Pletcher said. “He struggled. The track was cupping out on him. Now, the surface they race on might not be the same a week from tomorrow, but that wasn’t the powerful work we were hoping for.”
Viola owns Battalion Runner and is part of a partnership that owns Always Dreaming. Pletcher didn’t sound as though he would make any snap decisions regarding Battalion Runner, and with entry day on Wednesday, he has time to see how Battalion Runner comes out of the work and trains. But he was clearly disappointed.
Battalion Runner is in the top 20 on points, as are two others with clouds over their heads. Malagacy, whom Pletcher trains, continues to be doubtful for the race.
“I’d say it’s 99.99999999 percent he won’t run,” Pletcher said Friday.
He said a decision was to be made no later than Saturday, a week out from the Derby. He said one option is to wait for the Preakness.
Girvin, who has been dealing with a quarter crack, was said by trainer Joe Sharp to have spent another day swimming on Friday, and he was scheduled to work Saturday. His status is being closely watched by both Pletcher and trainer Steve Asmussen, who have not doled out all their riding assignments and obviously would be in play to pounce on Mike Smith should he come open.
As of Friday, assuming Malagacy officially comes out, Lookin At Lee is in. Sonneteer and Royal Mo are next on the points list and would get in with further defections.
Classic Empire was the only Derby worker to breeze prior to the midmorning renovation break. He went a half-mile in 49.21 under exercise rider Martin Rivera, who has been aboard Classic Empire since he relocated to Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala, Fla., after twice balking in works at Palm Meadows.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” Casse said. “It’s fitting he gave him his last work.”
State of Honor was timed in 48.50 for his half-mile work later in the morning.
Practical Joke, adding blinkers that he is expected to use in the Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:01.58. Gunnevera went a half-mile in 49.96.
“This work today, only maintenance after a very strong work last week [in Florida],” trainer Sano said. “I just want to make sure the horse is sound and alert for the race. He seems to be handling this racetrack very well.”
At Keeneland, Irap went one mile in 1:44.20, with the final six furlongs timed by O’Neill in 1:14.40. His Derby rider, Mario Gutierrez, had mounts at Santa Anita and did not come in for the work. Julien Leparoux, who rides Classic Empire in the Derby, subbed.
At Santa Anita, Battle of Midway worked six furlongs in 1:13.40 under his Derby jockey, Flavien Prat.