Tuesday's Trackside Derby Report

LOUISVILLE, Ky – Sunny skies, a buzzing backstretch and a packed house filled with enthusiastic racing fans and throngs of media. It really doesn't get much better than spending a morning at Churchill Downs during GI Kentucky Derby week.

There was once again no shortage of action to take in during Tuesday's 15-minute training period reserved for the Derby/Oaks runners, led by appearances from some new faces.

Godolphin's G2 UAE Derby winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus})–understandably a bit fresh after clearing a 42-hour window in quarantine–briefly attempted to rear up on the clubhouse turn while jogging along the outer rail, but was much more composed once allowed to canter the circuit for a mile. The Dubai invader certainly had a nice spring to his step while guided by Godolphin exercise rider Daragh O'Donohoe.

The Spendthrift Farm team was out in force–including owner B. Wayne Hughes, Ned Toffey and Mark Toothaker–to watch the farm's future stallion and GI Santa Anita Derby winner Gormley (Malibu Moon) stretch his legs for the first time beneath the Twin Spires since arriving from Southern California. Spendthrift, of course, also stands the handsome blaze-faced bay's sire, Malibu Moon. Gormley, sporting a shadow roll, was clearly looking to do more during his gallop as exercise rider Cisco Alvarado had a very snug hold throughout.

'TDN Rising Star' and GII Wood Memorial hero Irish War Cry (Curlin) made his presence immediately felt while entering the track by the chute wearing blue wraps and a flashy browband with the blue-and-red Graham Motion stable colors. He, too, was plenty eager while galloping approximately a mile during his first trip to the track since arriving from Maryland Monday.

The lightly raced 'TDN Rising Star' Patch (Union Rags), meanwhile, just keeps going about his business like a seasoned pro, despite losing his left eye as an unraced 2-year-old. “As a 2-year-old, he developed an ulcer and we did everything to try to save his eye, but even with the best of care, the eye had to be removed,” Calumet General Manager Eddie Kane told TDN. Kane added that the Calumet homebred and GII Louisiana Derby runner-up was actually named before he lost his eye-it's a play off of his sire's name.

With training hours winding down, a large group of photographers and media types gathered back at Barn 41 as 'TDN Rising Star' Battle of Midway (Smart Strike), under the watchful eye of Jerry Hollendorfer assistant Christina Jelm, Irap (Tiznow) and Irish War Cry were all out for baths.

Barn Notes…

Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), out early once again to gallop at 5:50 a.m., was much more settled during his training session Tuesday, his second straight day equipped with draw reins. “I thought he went great this morning,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I very much liked what I saw.”

Trainer Chad Brown revealed that Practical Joke (Into Mischief), second in the Blue Grass, will not be adding blinkers in the Derby.