Daily
Report From Churchill Downs: 4/22
by Turf Angels Staff
After reading the "Barn Notes" from the Derby Notes Team at kentuckyderby.com, Turf Angels' Amelia Baldree decided she had to be at the track for Imperialism's six-furlong breeze at 5:15 A.M on Thursday morning. She arrived under the cover of darkness just as the first horses were walking onto the track but then realized she probably would have trouble spotting the dark gray colt. Luckily, the FOX News Camera crew was stationed in the same trainer's box and she overheard a cell phone conversation which announced when Imperialism, under trainer and exercise rider Kristin Mulhall, was coming around the turn. Amelia caught just a glimpse of the colt, but it was apparently more than the camera crew, who missed the horse completely. As she was waiting in the box to see her Derby horse walk back, some assistants to Mulhall were there and asked how he went. Her reply? "He went really easy." Imperialism's time for six furlongs was a leisurely 1:17.40.
Not to be chased away by the threat of rain, Emily Hufford arrived at the track at 6:45, just in time to see Wimbledon take to the track for his gallop. The tall gray colt is very athletic looking and strides over the ground with his head up and ears always alert. On his way back to the Bob Baffert barn, Wimbledon passed one of his Derby competitors, The Cliff's Edge, who was making his way to the track. Churchill Downs was still shrouded in darkness, but that didn't stop the crush of reporters who tracked the Nick Zito trainee's every move.
It was right after the break that the track began to heat up, and the rain began to pour down. Pro Prado and Preachinatthebar took to the track from the middle of the backstretch, while Quinton's Gold Rush, Halfbridled, Action This Day, Rock Hard Ten, and Borrego walked on in a single file line from the chute. A.P. Adventure also made her way to the track, followed soon by Victory USA.
 Borrego Kicks Up His Heels 4/22 |
 Borrego After His Gallop 4/22 |
The track was alive with Derby and Oaks contenders. A.P. Adventure and Borrego whipped past the press tent just seconds before Halfbridled and Action This Day, who was being ridden by Pat Day, thundered by, working in company. The two juvenile champions raced through six furlongs in 1:12.40, the fastest work of the day, with Halfbridled, who was on the outside, being beaten by a neck by Action This Day along the rail. According to clocker John Nichols, the two horses went 12.1, 24.1, 35.4, 47.1, 59.2. Action This Day galloped out in 1:25.4 and Halfbridled galloped out in 1:26.0.
 A.P. Adventure 4/22 |
 Pro Prado Works in the Rain 4/22 |
Pro Prado also worked in the rain, nailing six furlongs in 1:13.40. He was ridden by jockey John McKee, who will have the mount on Pro Prado should the colt run in the Derby. Baffert's Preachinatthebar, fitted in blinkers for his work, ran the same distance in 1:14.80.
 Preachinatthebar 4/22 |
 Preachinatthebar 4/22 |
Quintons Gold Rush, the strikingly colored roan son of Wild Rush, was the first horse on the track after the break. He was ponied, as is usual, and simply jogged. The surprising thing about Quintons Gold Rush is the lack of members of the media who follow him. While all of the attention was being given to Borrego and the Mandella team after their baths, "Quinton" stood alone quietly one barn over.
 Quintons Gold Rush 4/22 |
 Quintons Gold Rush 4/22 |
Rock Hard Ten, the mammoth black son of Kris S, galloped today in preparation for a decision to be made this morning about his participation in Saturday's Derby Trial Stakes. The colt looked excellent galloping, striding out powerfully, and didn't seem to mind the crush of press around Borrego and the Mandella horses as he was bathed a few feet away.
 Rock Hard Ten 4/22 |
 Rock Hard Ten 4/22 |
Victory USA was given several minutes to stand and admire the Churchill Downs track as the rain eased a little bit before starting her gallop. The chestnut filly is very light and on the small side.
Also seen on the track was Todd Pletcher's two year old colt Siphon City, a son of Siphon who broke his maiden at Keeneland and is expected for the Three Chimneys Juvenile on the Derby undercard.
The number of contenders steadily grows. Friends Lake arrived Wednesday, Smarty Jones is expected this afternoon, and Read the Footnotes is due in tomorrow.
 Victory USA 4/22 |
 Siphon City 4/22 |
