Photo:Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges Jr.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen made the eight-hour journey from Oaklawn to Churchill Downs early Sunday morning to watch several of his barn’s top horses record published workouts, including Grade 2 Risen Star runner-up Track Phantom, who breezed five furlongs in 1:00.8 in preparation for Kentucky Derby 2024 in 13 days.
With jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle, Track Phantom worked outside his stablemate Carbone at 5:45 a.m. EDT. The duo cruised an opening quarter-mile in a modest 26.2 seconds but galloped out six furlongs in a solid 1:13.6, according to Churchill Downs Clocker John Nichols. Track Phantom’s final three furlongs was a sharp 34.6 seconds.
Track Phantom completing his five-furlong move in 1:00.80 outside Carbone. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/Y4lVJTxYPE
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 21, 2024
Owned by L and N Racing, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom and Breeze Easy, Track Phantom is scheduled to add blinkers for the first time in the Kentucky Derby, according to Asmussen.
About 20 minutes earlier, Gaffalione was aboard Courtlandt Farm’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopeful Our Pretty Woman, who breezed five furlongs in 1:00. The Asmussen trainee worked outside her stakes-winning 3-year-old stablemate Otto the Conqueror through an opening quarter-mile of 25.0 seconds and completed six furlongs in 1:12.6, according to Nichols.
Jennie Rees of the Kentucky Horsem*n's Benevolent and Protective Association spoke to Asmussen after the works.
Asmussen’s exercise rider Carmen Rosas was aboard both workmates.
Aside from the two workers from the Asmussen barn, it was a quiet morning as far as the training went for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders. The only other major training session was from Michael McMillan’s Gazelle Stakes (G3) winner Where’s My Ring, who breezed a quarter-mile down the lane in 24.0 seconds. Trainer Val Brinkerhoff reported Where’s My Ring is scheduled to have an official workout Saturday ahead of the Kentucky Oaks on May 3.
Kentucky Derby contenders who recorded workouts on Saturday all had scheduled walk days Sunday: Catching Freedom, who went five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Saturday Dornoch, four furlongs, 48.20; Endlessly, five furlongs, 1:00.80; Just a Touch, four furlongs, 48.20; Just Steel, one mile, 1:40; Mystik Dan, five furlongs, 59.40; and Society Man, four furlongs, 48.20.
Japan’s UAE Derby (G2) winner Forever Young also had a scheduled walk day.
Monday could be the first appearance at Churchill Downs for Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Sierra Leone, who arrived from Keeneland on Sunday.
Sierra Leone has arrived at @ChurchillDowns. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/RYlkqcn4K0
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 21, 2024
Also working Sunday were three colts trained by Bob Baffert, whose status for the Kentucky Derby is yet to be determined, and Deterministic, who will point to a New York start instead of the Derby, according to trainer Christophe Clement.
Coach Prime (Quality Road) worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was 36 days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed third in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Los Alamitos on Dec. 16 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Deterministic (Liam's Map), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Gotham), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 19 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in the Wood Memorial (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on April 6 for trainer Christophe Clement.
Imagination (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2024 San Felipe), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 90 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 6 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Muth (Good Magic), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Arkansas Derby, 2023 American Pharoah), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Santa Anita on Sunday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 40 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Arkansas Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on March 30 for trainer Bob Baffert.
