GI Blue Grass S. winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) led a total of nine GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls on the work tab a week out from the Run for the Roses. Breezing in company with stablemate and fellow Derby hopeful Domestic Product (Practical Joke), the pair went five furlongs in 1:00.20 (15/58) through splits of :13, :24.80, :36.40 before galloping out in 1:13.20 and 1:26.20.
“It [the work] was executed perfectly,” said Chad Brown, the trainer for both workers. “I wanted them to a good five-eighths out in three-quarters but well within themselves. [Sierra Leone] is super fit and it was just an outstanding work. I'm just trying to get him in there happy and sound. He's a very rare horse. He's just everything you want as a trainer.”
Watch as Domestic Product and Sierra Leone work five furlongs in 1:00.1. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/ERIrHvX8ub
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 27, 2024
Joining that pair on the Derby work sheet was two more groupings of stablemates–Catching Freedom (Constitution) and Encino (Nyquist)–who also went five furlongs together in :59.20 (2/58) and Dornoch (Good Magic) with Society Man (Good Magic) clocked in four furlongs at :46.60 (2/130). They were joined by Just a Touch (Justify) (five furlongs in 1:00.80 {26/58]), West Saratoga (Exaggerator) (three furlongs in :37.20 {8/27}) and Mystik Dan (Goldencents) (five furlongs in 1:01.20 {35/58}).
“The track is playing super fast right now,” said trainer Danny Gargan. “We thought we'd [Dornoch and Society Man] go in 47 and change, I got them 46 and 4. They went out nice though and … that's kind of the work for everybody, they're all going around the same time. We wanted to go a little bit slower but they looked good doing it, they were in hand, no one was asking them. We're just hoping they come back good, everything looks good and they're cooling out good.”
Society Man and Dornoch finishing a half-mile in :46.3. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/YANzAYwfDv
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 27, 2024
Trainer Michael McCarthy also confirmed GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Endlessly (Oscar Performance) for the Derby off his work Friday morning.
“It's been done,” said McCarthy. “We'll be running in the Derby.”
GI Kentucky Oaks workers were led by Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) (four furlongs in :49.60 {90/130}) and Lemon Muffin (Collected) (five furlongs in a bullet :58.20 {1/58}).
There are several workers lined up for Sunday as contenders look to get their final breezes ahead of next weekend. Scheduled to work Sunday are Stronghold (Ghostzapper), Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) and Just F Y I (Justify).
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