CHURCHILL DOWNS
Wednesday, April 23
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 52
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Those with a penchant for siding against the Kentucky Derby favorite, no matter how formidable they might appear on paper, may find that idea a lot less appealing once having seen the enemy up close and personal after Journalism made his first local appearance during the special Derby/Oaks training window Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
The imposing presence of the Santa Anita Derby winner highlighted a session that took place under clear skies, over a fast track, and included a five-furlong breeze by Arkansas Derby winner Sandman.
Journalism, who arrived in Louisville on Tuesday afternoon, certainly announced his presence with authority during a routine but eye-catching 1 1/8-mile gallop that took him past the wire a couple of times before easing up once entering the backstretch the second time around. He appeared to handle the racetrack and unfamiliar surroundings professionally and without any issue whatsoever.
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Journalism is scheduled to have one local work. Trainer Michael McCarthy is keeping an eye on the weather before determining when that might take place. There is currently a better than 50 percent chance of rain in the forecast here Friday but less than half that the following day.
Those hoping and/or expecting to see Sandman replicate the sensational 46.09-second half-mile work turned in by his Oaks-bound stablemate La Cara on Tuesday morning were likely a bit disappointed with his final major Derby prep, which was strictly maintenance-like in design. Sandman posted a relatively pedestrian 13.65 opening furlong after leaving the five-eighths pole before gradually picking up the pace thereafter. He completed the distance in 1:02.44, his final quarter in 24.49 while traveling effortlessly throughout. Sandman continued with plenty of energy into the turn, galloping out six furlongs in 1:15.40.
It was the second similarly orchestrated drill here for Sandman since his 2 1/2-length decision over Publisher in the Arkansas Derby on March 29. Sandman, who is second on the Kentucky Derby points list behind only Burnham Square, breezed an easy half-mile in 49.43, punctuated by a strong gallop-out, over the local strip eight days earlier.
Speaking of Burnham Square, the little fire plug was full of energy this morning while hard held galloping 1 1/2 miles. He seems to have exited his maintenance-like four-furlong breeze here last week in good order.
Wednesday also marked the first local appearance of the Bob Baffert-trained duo of Derby-bound Rodriguez and Oaks contender Tenma. Rodriguez, like Journalism, looked in good order getting acclimated to his new surroundings.
The lone Oaks worker of the morning came early and under the lights as Quickick breezed five furlongs in 1:00.17, with stablemate Lady Orient as a target. Quickick covered her final quarter in 24.70 while well contained throughout. The Tom Amoss-trained filly galloped out six furlongs in a sharp 1:14.16 while holding a slight edge outside her mate at the end.
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