{"id":6847,"date":"2023-05-04T14:39:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T19:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/?p=6847"},"modified":"2023-05-04T14:45:12","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T19:45:12","slug":"kentucky-derby-oaks-contenders-finalize-preparation-for-weekend-races","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/kentucky-derby-oaks-contenders-finalize-preparation-for-weekend-races\/","title":{"rendered":"KENTUCKY DERBY, OAKS CONTENDERS FINALIZE PREPARATION FOR WEEKEND RACES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photos Courtesy of Churchill Downs and Coady Photography<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

LOUISVILLE, KY (Thursday, May 4, 2023)<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Less than 48 hours remain until the first Saturday and trainers are eagerly watching as their Kentucky Derby contenders log their final training sessions before the Run for the Roses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was an eventful morning for trainer Brad Cox<\/b> with three of his four Derby contenders scheduled to gallop at 7:30 a.m. Two of three contenders were completing their final circuit around the racetrack when the third runner,Verifying,<\/b> passed the five-furlong marker and got loose from his rider. He was apprehended at the quarter pole by Outriders Greg Blasi<\/b> and Lee Lockwood<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cox reported Verifying was fine following the training mishap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moments later, Peter Miller<\/b>\u2019s filly And Tell Me Nolies<\/b> reared as she was walking off the track and ran off the gap back to her Barn 24.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Miller stated And Tell Me Nolies was OK.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There will be special training hours on Friday and Saturday<\/span><\/p>\n

with training from 5:30-7:30 a.m. with Friday\u2019s 7:45-8 slot reserved for Oaks and Derby horses and the same time Saturday for Derby horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

ANGEL OF EMPIRE\/HIT SHOW\/JACE\u2019S ROAD, VERIFYING<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Gary and Mary West<\/b>\u2019s Hit Show<\/b> went out to train at 5:15 a.m., while his other three Derby running stablemates, Albaugh Family Stables<\/b>\u2019 Angel of Empire<\/b>, West Point Thoroughbreds<\/b> and Albaugh Family Stables\u2019 Jace\u2019s Road<\/b>, and Coolmore<\/b>\u2019s Verifying<\/b> went to out to train at 7:30 a.m. during the special training time Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Three of the four had routine 1 \u00bd-mile gallops, but Verifying had a little more eventful training session. He dumped his exercise rider and had to be caught by outrider Greg Blasi <\/b>and Lee Lockwood.<\/b> About an hour later, Cox reported Verifying was \u201cfine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In addition to the four horses in the Kentucky Derby, Cox also has three fillies in the Kentucky Oaks as he seeks his third win in that race. When asked how he was holding up from the pressures of the week, the Louisville native said, \u201cI\u2019m great. It\u2019s cool, it\u2019s great. Since we got all of our works in and our gate schooling in, I\u2019m just ready for race day to get here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All four of the Cox Derby runners will school in the paddock during the first race Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CONFIDENCE GAME<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Don\u2019t Tell My Wife Stables<\/b>\u2019 Confidence Game<\/b> walked the shedrow of barn 24 as is the normal routine for the Keith Desormeaux<\/b> stable. He will return to the track Friday to gallop and is likely to also gallop Saturday morning, race day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A lot has been made out of the fact that Confidence Game has not run since the Rebel Stakes (GII) Feb. 25 at Oaklawn this week, but the only ones not concerned are his trainer and owner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe answer is simple, it took the ownership a month to sober up,\u201d Desormeaux said. \u201cThat\u2019s the funny answer. How do you want me to make a decision when the ownership was still partying a month later? It was awesome. The Rebel was fun for those guys. The serious answer is it was 40 degrees all weekend in Hot Springs that week, he ran in that kind of weather and then we shipped back to New Orleans on Sunday and it\u2019s 80 degrees. In New Orleans it was 80 degrees all week. So, he went from 40 to 80. And, it zapped him. I knew I was going to give him a couple of light weeks. And, right when I got him up to race readiness again, which was around Louisiana Derby time, around Arkansas Derby time, Blue Grass time, it was time to ship here. And, horses need to acclimate. He was going from New Orleans to Louisville, changing homes, changing routine. I just didn\u2019t think adding a race on top of that was beneficial to what I wanted to do Saturday, so we chose not to run and I feel very comfortable with that decision. The horse is just thriving right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTen weeks, there\u2019s been a lot of talk about this, but Keith and I talked about it and we felt it was in the best interest of the horse,\u201d Don\u2019t Tell My Wife Stables Managing Partner Kirk<\/b> Godby<\/b> said. \u201cWe wanted to have him fresh and ready to run in the Triple Crown. We felt this gives him the best chance to compete in this race and then go on from there. We\u2019re excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CONTINUAR<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd<\/b>.\u2019s Continuar<\/b> (JPN<\/b>) walked from the Quarantine Barn to the front of the grandstand and then went to the mile chute where he warmed up during the first harrow break of the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When the track reopened for training at 7:30, Continuar cantered a mile with trainer Yoshito Yahagi<\/b> looking on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ryusei Sakai<\/b> will be aboard Continuar for his first Derby mount and will break from post 20.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

DERMA SOTOGAKE \u2013 Hiroyuki Asanuma<\/span><\/b>\u2019s Derma<\/b> Sotogake<\/b> (JPN<\/b>) walked from the Quarantine Barn to the front of the grandstand and then went to the mile chute where he warmed up during the first harrow break of the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When the track reopened at 7:30, the UAE Derby (GII) winner galloped a mile and a quarter as trainer Hidetaka<\/b>Otonashi<\/b> and jockey Christophe Lemaire<\/b> looked on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Derma Sotogake will represent the second Derby mount for Lemaire, who was aboard Crown Pride<\/b> (JPN<\/b>) last year when that runner finished 13th.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lemaire rode the son of Mind Your Biscuits for the first time in the UAE Derby, a front-running 5 \u00bd-length victory, a performance that propelled\u00a0 Derma Sotogake to the co-fourth choice on the Derby 149 morning line at 10-1.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

DISARM \u2013 Winchell Thoroughbreds<\/span><\/b>\u2019 Disarm<\/b> galloped Thursday at 7:30 a.m. for Hall of Fame trainer Steve<\/b>Asmussen<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FORTE\/KINGSBARNS\/MAJOR DUDE\/TAPIT TRICE \u2013 <\/span><\/b>As per usual, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher<\/b>had his Derby trio trackside and ready to roll for the special 7:30 to 7:45 training period for Derby and Oaks runners. They all went about their business by galloping about a mile and three eighths around the big Churchill oval.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The threesome consisted of Derby favorite Forte<\/b> (with exercise rider Hector Ramos<\/b> up), the undefeated Kingsbarns<\/b> (Elder Flores<\/b>) and the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) star Tapit Trice<\/b> (Amelia Green<\/b>). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Green, a young English horsewoman who has worked for Pletcher for the past six years, was asked about the possibility of her charge \u2013 the gray Tapit Trice \u2013 winning Saturday\u2019s Derby and what that would mean to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m lucky to be working in a good barn with good horses,\u201d she said. \u201cAll our horses are working well, including mine. But I don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to find anyone here this week with a Derby horse that wouldn\u2019t tell you their horse is training well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf one of the horses from our barn were to win, I\u2019d be delighted. We\u2019re a team here and we root for each other and want the others to do well. But probably \u2013 deep in my heart \u2013 there\u2019s a place that would feel very warm if my horse was to win the Derby. That would be special.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pletcher said \u201cAll is good so far,\u201d when asked about his Derby hopefuls. He\u2019s scheduled them for a visit to the paddock with the horses for today\u2019s Race six and indicated his runners would be ready to train again Friday in the special 7:45 to 8 a.m. training session for Derby and Oaks runners.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

LORD MILES \u2013<\/span><\/b>\u00a0 Vegso Racing Stable<\/b>\u2019s Wood Memorial (GII) winner walked the shedrow Thursday morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

MAGE \u2013 <\/span><\/b>The Good Magic colt, runner-up to Forte<\/b> in the Florida Derby (GI), galloped Thursday with regular exercise rider J.J. Delgado<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cToday he was schooling at the gate, and he looked really, really good on the track,\u201d said trainer Gustavo Delgado<\/b>. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t any problem when the horse (Verifying<\/b>) got loose. Today he\u2019s probably going to the paddock, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe talent he\u2019s showing is very great,\u201d Delgado added after lightly raced Mage<\/b> galloped a strong mile-and-a-half. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Javier Castellano<\/b> will ride the colt, owned by OGMA<\/b> Investments<\/b> LLC<\/b>, Ramiro Restrepo<\/b>, Sterling Racing LLC<\/b> and CMNWLTH<\/b>, out of post eight. He\u2019s listed at 15-1 on the morning line.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PRACTICAL MOVE\/REINCARNATE \u2013 <\/span><\/b>Trainer Tim<\/b> Yakteen<\/b> sent his Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move<\/b> out for a good gallop at the start of the special 7:30 to 7:45 training session Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. The big colt by Practical Joke galloped under exercise rider Baltazar<\/b> Contreras<\/b> for a mile and three-eighths and schooled in the starting gate as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At 7:55 Contreras got a leg up on Reincarnate<\/b>, the Sham Stakes (GIII) winner, and he, too, headed to the racetrack for a good gallop, covering a mile and a quarter when all was said and done.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/b>The trainer was asked if all was good with his charges heading toward Derby 149.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, I\u2019m happy with where my horses are,\u201d he said. \u201cEverything is going well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Practical Move will break out of Post 10 Saturday with regular rider Ramon Vazquez<\/b> aboard. Reincarnate will come out of Post seven and have Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez<\/b> in the saddle. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RAISE CAIN \u2013 Andrew and Rania Warren\u2019s Raise Cain <\/span><\/b>galloped 1 \u00bd miles under Rene Morales<\/b> for trainer Ben<\/b> Colebrook<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis morning was as good as he ever trained,\u201d Colebrook said. \u201cHis ears were pricked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Raise Cain will represent the first Derby starter for the 45-year-old Colebrook, who went out on his own in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe first Derby I saw in person was Thunder Gulch<\/b> in 1995,\u201d Colebrook said. \u201cThe first Derby I really remember was Alysheba<\/b> (in 1987). He was my favorite horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ROCKET CAN \u2013 <\/span><\/b>The Into Mischief colt, owned by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, <\/b>was on the track Thursday morning for a gallop of about a mile-and-three-eighths with regular exercise rider Guelser Cardona<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe got held up a bit, but it turned out OK,\u201d said Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott,<\/b> referring to Verifying<\/b> dumping his exercise rider and taking off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rocket Can<\/b>, who drew the No. 18 post position and was listed at morning-line odds of 30-1, will have Junior Alvarado<\/b> aboard in the Derby. He\u2019ll wear blinkers, and has trained with them on.<\/span><\/p>\n

SKINNER \u2013 <\/span><\/b>Following a pattern he set on his first Churchill training morning this past Monday, trainer John Shirreffs<\/b> sent his colt Skinner<\/b> to the racetrack at 9 a.m. for his morning exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Curlin colt, a $510,000 2-year-old-in-training purchase by owners C R K Stable<\/b>, had exercise rider Donnie Balthazar<\/b> up and a stable pony alongside as they came through the six-furlong gap and backtracked to the finish line and up into the paddock. The rider then took the bay onto the racetrack from there for a strong mile and one-half gallop, moving smartly in the middle of the racetrack. Skinner was on the bit and wanting to run.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, happy with that strong move,\u201d said Shirreffs, who watched he drill from a viewing stand on the backside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Skinner was escorted by veteran pony lady Monnie Goetz.<\/b> She has taken Shirreffs previous Kentucky Derby winner, Giacomo<\/b>, to the post for the 2005 Kentucky Derby.\u00a0 She was asked if she had happy memories of that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, yes,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s always fun when you\u2019re working with a winner. I\u2019ve had a couple of others that I took to the post, too \u2013 Orb<\/b> in 2013 and California Chrome<\/b> in 2014.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Who, it was wondered, would she be taking postward for Derby 149?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know yet,\u201d she noted. \u201cI\u2019ve been working with about 13 of them leading up to the race. I\u2019ll wind up with one of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Made aware of the special training hours in place for Friday because of the Kentucky Oaks card, Shirreffs indicated that he would send his charge out during the special 7:45 to 8 a.m. training period set aside for Derby and Oaks runners. The track closes for training after that.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

SUN THUNDER \u2013 <\/span><\/b>Trainer Kenny McPeek <\/b>had his colt back on the track Thursday with regular exercise rider Martin<\/b> Vargas<\/b>, galloping slightly more than a mile. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On Oaks Day, McPeek plans to send Sun Thunder out in the first set when the track opens at 5:15 a.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Riding Sun Thunder in his breeze was his Derby jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr.<\/b> The colt, owned by R.T Racing Stable<\/b> and Cypress Creek Equine<\/b>, has been training with blinkers on, and will wear them in the Derby. Sun Thunder and Hernandez will leave the Derby starting gate from post position 13. He\u2019s listed at 50-1 on the morning line. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 McPeek has made headlines throughout the week sporting University of Kentucky and University of Louisville gear. However, Wednesday night McPeek and his family attended the Davenport Derby Dash, a benefit for the Scott Davenport Foundation at Bellarmine University.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When asked at the event his instructions to Hernandez in the Derby, McPeek stated, \u201cI\u2019m just watching along. I\u2019ll let Brian decide what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

TWO PHIL\u2019S \u2013 Patricia\u2019s Hope, Phillip Sagan, and Madaket Stable\u2019s Two Phil\u2019s <\/span><\/b>visited the track earlier than usual on Thursday, galloping his standard 1 and 1\/4 miles at 6 a.m. under exercise rider Gonzalo Gonzales<\/b>. The son of Hard Spun by the General Quarters mare Mia Torri was bred by the father and son team of Chicago natives Philip and Anthony Sagan<\/b>, who have retained 10 percent ownership. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One of the two eponymous Phils, Phil Sagan arrived in Louisville on Wednesday and joined son Anthony on the backside Thursday morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTwo Phil\u2019s is the first horse we ever bred, and nobody wanted him,\u201d Anthony Sagan said. \u201cHis mother is a Florida-bred and we actually bought her off Michael<\/b> \u201cBo\u201d Yates<\/b> (trainer of Oaks filly Dorth Vader<\/b>). She was the first horse we ever bought. The mom is the same type of horse\u2014relaxed, easy going, nothing bothered her, she didn’t lose her mind in the paddock\u2014so he got that from her.\u00a0 How many guys get involved in the game with one horse and then after she\u2019s done racing, breed that horse, and the first horse she has is now in the Derby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two Phil\u2019s has two brothers, a two-year-old by Omaha<\/b> Beach<\/b> and a baby by McKenzie<\/b>. The chestnut colt will school in the paddock ahead of Race three on Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

ALSO-ELIGIBLES<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Trainer Dale Romans<\/b> is making sure Cyclone Mischief<\/b> is fresh, fit and ready to step into the 20th starting gate on Saturday, if a horse is scratched from the Derby field.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe went out to school in the gate, and will stand in the paddock today,\u201d Romans said Friday following a gallop of about a mile-and-three-eighths with exercise rider Faustino<\/b> Herrarte<\/b>. \u201cHe galloped super today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hiroaki Arai<\/b>\u2019s Mandarin Hero<\/b> galloped two miles under Yuji Horita<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brereton C. Jones<\/b> and Naber Racing<\/b>\u2019s King Russell<\/b> galloped 1 \u00bd miles Thursday at 7:30 a.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

AFFIRMATIVE LADY \u2013 AMO Racing USA<\/span><\/b>\u2019s Affirmative<\/b> Lady<\/b> had an eventful mile and a half gallop under Kevin<\/b> Lundie<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe had an interrupted mile and a half,\u201d trainer Graham<\/b> Motion<\/b> said. \u201cShe had to pull up because of the loose horse. It\u2019s ironic, really, with the special training time and there is supposed to be no drama.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) in her most recent start, Affirmative Lady will exit post 13 underJohn<\/b> Velazquez<\/b> in Friday afternoon\u2019s Oaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to see Johnny save some ground going into the first turn,\u201d Motion said. \u201cHe has done it so many times, I will leave it up to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Motion said Affirmative Lady would not go to the track in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

AND TELL ME NOLIES \u2013 Peter Redekop\u2019s And Tell Me Nolies <\/span><\/b>went out to train at 7:30 a.m. with the other Kentucky Oaks and Derby contenders and was appearing to have a routine morning of galloping and standing in the starting gate until the very end of the session. As she was walking back to the barn, she reared and dumped her exercise rider before galloping at full speed off the track and back to the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trainer Peter Miller<\/b>, who had been watching training with his two sons Jacob<\/b> and Seth<\/b>, reported the filly appears to be fine and they are moving forward to the Oaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe just got real happy and reared up,\u201d Miller said. \u201cLuckily, she didn\u2019t go down or anything, so she\u2019s OK. She seems OK.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

BOTANICAL, THE ALYS LOOK, WET PAINT<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Trainer Brad Cox<\/b> sent Botanical<\/b> and The Alys Look<\/b> to the track together first set at 5:15 a.m. along with Derby runner Hit Show<\/b> for their Thursday training and they both galloped a 1 \u00bd miles. Kentucky Oaks morning line favorite Wet Paint<\/b> went out to train at 7:30 with three of her stablemates running in the Kentucky Derby, Angel of Empire<\/b>, Jace\u2019s Road<\/b> and Verifying<\/b>, and she also galloped 1 \u00bd miles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re really good,\u201d Cox said. \u201cThey just had regular gallops. They all schooled yesterday and were great. They\u2019ll just walk tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DEFINING PURPOSE \u2013 <\/span><\/b>The Ashland Stakes (GI) winner took to the track Thursday morning during the period reserved for Oaks and Derby horses, with regular exercise rider Shelby<\/b> Spalding<\/b> aboard, for the usual gallop of about a mile-and-three-eighths.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy filly was off the track before it happened, so she got in her full gallop,\u201d trainer Kenny McPeek<\/b> said of the incident with Verifying<\/b> dumping his exercise rider and running off. She\u2019ll walk the shedrow early Friday, before the Oaks later in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The filly, who races in the silks of Magdalena Racing<\/b>, Collette<\/b> Marie Vanmatre<\/b> and James Ball<\/b>, drew the No. 11 post position in the field of 14. Brian Hernandez Jr<\/b>. will ride 12-1 Defining Purpose<\/b> Friday. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

DORTH VADER<\/b> \u2013 John Ropes\u2019<\/b> Dorth Vader<\/b> had a routine 1 \u00bd-mile gallop at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n

FLYING CONNECTION \u2013 Brad King, Randy Andrews, G. Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Lee Lewis\u2019 Flying Connection <\/span><\/b>galloped a mile and a half under Oscar Rojero<\/b>.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/b>\u201cShe had to pull up (because of the loose horse), but a couple minutes later I saw her around the seven-eighths pole and see was going strong,\u201d trainer Todd Fincher<\/b> said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fincher said the wire-to-wire winner of the Sunland Park Oaks (Listed) in her most recent start would not go to the track Friday morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Florent Geroux<\/b>, who worked Flying Connection twice here, has the mount and will leave from post 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to see her break a length and front and have a clean trip,\u201d said Fincher, who is saddling his first Oaks starter. \u201cThen we will see how she stacks up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

GAMBLING GIRL\/JULIA SHINING <\/span><\/b>\u2013<\/span> Trainer Todd<\/b> Pletcher<\/b> had his two Kentucky Oaks possibles trackside for the special training session between 7:30 and 7:45 Thursday morning. Exercise rider Carlos Quevedo<\/b> was at the controls for Gambling Girl<\/b>, while Humberto Zamora<\/b> was in the saddle with Julia Shining<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gambling Girl is guaranteed a spot for the 149th edition of the \u201cRun for the Lillies,\u201d while Julia Shining will need a couple of scratches in the race prior to 9 a.m. Friday. Both took their Thursday exercise over a mile and three eighths on a sunny Louisville morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gambling Girl will have Irad Ortiz Jr<\/b>. in the tack and break from Post three. Julia Shining may wind up in the Black-Eyed Susan on Preakness weekend in Baltimore<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

MIMI KAKUSHI \u2013<\/span><\/b> Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum\u2019<\/b>s Mimi Kakushi<\/b> jogged a mile alongside a pony and then galloped a mile under Xavier Ziani<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trainer Salem bin Ghadayer<\/b> said Mimi Kakushi could go to the track in the morning or be hand-walked in the Quarantine Barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mimi Kakushi will represent bin Ghadayer\u2019s first starter in the United States and the trainer is optimistic about his filly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe has improved every race and I think she has a good chance,\u201d bin Ghadayer said of the UAE Oaks (GIII) winner. \u201cIt is a very open race, but we came here to win and not to turn around and go back home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS \u2013 <\/span><\/b>With trainer Brendan Walsh<\/b> on pony overseeing the preparations, Pretty Mischievous galloped her regular distance of one mile and a half during the 7:30 – 7:45 a.m. Derby\/Oaks training window. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s had a great week, really she\u2019s doing super,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cShe\u2019s got a lot of class. It\u2019s been a good couple of days so far, which feels good heading into a big weekend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Walsh has saddled three winners from four entries in the first three days of Churchill\u2019s Spring Meet, including winning two maiden races on Wednesday\u2019s card with Gloria\u2019s Princess<\/b> and Eddie M<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

PROMISEHER AMERICA \u2013 <\/span><\/b>Forgoing the Derby and Oaks training window, Hoffman Thoroughbreds<\/b>, Tom<\/b>McCrocklin, and Medallion Racing\u2019s Promiseher America <\/b>jogged one mile at around 6:00 a.m. Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe did perfect. She\u2019s a quiet filly. She\u2019s not nervous at all and seems like her normal self in the new environment. (Her exercise rider Fernando Tapara<\/b>) was really happy with the gallop yesterday,\u201d assistant trainerRodrigo Montecino<\/b> reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SOUTHLAWN<\/span><\/b> \u2013 Robert Masterson<\/b>\u2019s Southlawn<\/b> had a 1 \u00bd-mile gallop Thursday morning for trainer Norm Casse<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jockey Rey Gutierrez<\/b> was on hand watching his Oaks mount train while getting interviewed in the Kentucky Derby Morning Works Show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WONDER WHEEL \u2013 <\/span><\/b>A day after making an appearance during the Oaks and Derby training window, the Mark Casse<\/b>-trainee Wonder Wheel<\/b> returned to her routine exercise time of 6 a.m. on Thursday morning. Assistant trainer David Carroll<\/b> led D.J. Stable\u2019s<\/b> filly through an easy gallop. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf the real Wonder Wheel shows up, she\u2019ll be tough,\u201d Mark Casse<\/b> said. \u201cShe is 2 for 2 here at Churchill. My wife brought two dresses, her fancy dress for Derby day and her other dress which is nice but is for the Oaks, and I told her she might want to reverse that. I can\u2019t say anything better than that about how she is doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Photos Courtesy of Churchill Downs and Coady Photography LOUISVILLE, KY (Thursday, May 4, 2023) – Less than 48 hours remain until the first Saturday and trainers are eagerly watching as their Kentucky Derby contenders log their final training sessions before the Run for the Roses.     It was an eventful morning for trainer Brad Cox with three of his four Derby contenders scheduled to gallop at 7:30 a.m. Two of three contenders were completing their final circuit around the racetrack […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6850,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[97,52,2044],"tags":[266,253,2164],"class_list":["post-6847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-events-magazine","category-events-magazine","category-magazine","tag-churchill-downs","tag-kentucky-derby","tag-the-oaks"],"yoast_head":"\nKENTUCKY DERBY, OAKS CONTENDERS FINALIZE PREPARATION FOR WEEKEND RACES - 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