CHURCHILL DOWNS
Sunday, April 27
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 47
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Anybody looking for one last opportunity to knock the Derby favorite likely came away disappointed after Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism turned in his final major prep shortly after the renovation break Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Journalism was one of six Derby entrants to work during the special 7:15-7:30 training session under chilly skies over a very fast racetrack. He highlighted a star-studded group that also included Fountain of Youth winner and likely second choice Sovereignty, Wood winner Rodriguez, Blue Grass runner-up East Avenue, along with the Steve Asmussen-trained duo of Publisher and Tiztastic.
Journalism has made an outstanding impression on a regular basis during routine gallops since arriving locally early this week. That led to an extremely impressive-looking final drill that trainer Michael McCarthy had postponed for 24 hours due to the drying-out nature of the racetrack the previous morning.
With regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard, Journalism eased away from the five-eighths pole and completed his opening three-eighths in 37.42 seconds before continuing to pick up the pace with no urging down the lane. The imposing-looking youngster completed five panels in 1:01.24, then got even stronger the farther he traveled, galloping out three-quarters in 1:13.52, up seven-eighths in a strong 1:26.73. Ultimately, he dragged his rider back past the half-mile marker before finally pulling up near the end of the backstretch, giving every indication he is the one to beat with a clean trip on Derby Day.
Sovereignty, never a flashy workhorse, has stepped up his morning game coming out of the Florida Derby with a second straight big effort since arriving locally earlier this month. He dominated an overmatched workmate going five panels in 37.29, 1:01.91, striding out powerfully to the wire before easing up just a tad on the gallop-out, completing six furlongs into the clubhouse turn in 1:15.58. Big efforts in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby and a couple of improved drills over a track he’s won on in the past suggest he could be sitting on his best yet Saturday.
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Rodriguez was the first to work over the freshly harrowed strip after the renovation break and looked very sharp, breezing five furlongs from the half, per Daily Racing Form, in 47.10, 59.72. Like Journalism, his tank was also still full on the gallop out with six panels in 1:12.82 before continuing a long ways prior to eventually easing up midway down the backstretch. He looms as part of what projects to be a very honest pace scenario, having drawn down near the inside of the bulky lineup.
East Avenue continues to suggest he is maintaining top form exiting his near-miss to Burnham Square in the Blue Grass. Rated off a mate, he made short work of that one once settling into the stretch en route to a 35.27, 59.04 five-furlong clocking while never asked for his best. He was prodded along some to continue out six panels in 1:12 flat, and is another who is doing well and should be a forward factor from the outset.
Publisher continues to make a very favorable impression, working a pretty strong 24.25, 48.56 half-mile even though he was totally in maintenance mode today, as expected. Publisher was hard held to the wire before easing up purposefully into the turn while equipped with the blinkers that have seemed to move him forward leaps and bounds for Asmussen.
Tiztastic also turned in a maintenance half, although he was being geared down some in the latter stages of a 24.53, 50.40 run. Like his mate Publisher, he was taken wide and not allowed to extend himself farther on the gallop-out.
Coal Battle was certainly full of himself this morning during a routine gallop, his rider having his hands full trying to keep this guy on the ground. He will be allowed to stretch his legs a little more when scheduled to blow out three furlongs on Monday.
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