Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Colonel John Prepares For The 2008 Kentucky Derby
Posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008
WinStar Farm’s multiple-stakes winner registered a nifty five-furlong drill at Churchill Downs in his final major conditioner prior to his date in Saturday’s 134th Kentucky Derby.
The tall colt had exercise rider Karine Lhuillier attachWinStar Farm’s multiple-stakes winner, Colonel John, registered a nifty five-furlong drill at Churchill Downs in his final major conditioner prior to his date in Saturday’s 134th Kentucky Derby.
The tall colt had exercise rider Karine Lhuillier attached for his move shortly after the renovation break and they proved quite a team on a clear and crisp morning. Breaking off at the five-eights pole, the son of Tiznow went right about his business and – without any serious urging from his rider – registered a time of :57.80, which was clearly the best of a total of 62 works at the distance.
By anyone’s accounting it was impressive, especially so in light of the fact the California-based youngster had raced and trained almost exclusively on synthetic surfaces in the Golden State since beginning his career at Del Mar last summer.
“I’m happy with the way he did it,” said his conditioner, Eoin Harty. “He did it within himself and that’s what I liked. That track was fast today; maybe faster than it should be. But everyone else was working fast, so that’s part of my thinking. And she (Lhuillier) wasn’t pushing on him.”
Horse trainer Eoin Harty was asked if the work dispelled any thoughts about his colt’s possible inability to handle a dirt surface.
“Dirt is not an issue,” the trainer said. “I thought he handled it well today. He trained on dirt as a two-year-old and he handled it well then. I’ve been confident in him in that regard all along.”
Clockers registered split times on the homebred’s drill, catching him along the way in :12, :23.20, :34.60 and :46. He was tabbed at 1:11.20 on the six-furlong gallop out.
The next-best five-furlong work of the morning was turned in by the crackerjack filly Eight Belles, who covered the distance in :58.20. The tall, gray miss could well be on the track again with Colonel John, as she’s being pointed for a start against all the boys in the Kentucky Derby.
Harty had originally scheduled Colonel John’s work for Monday morning, but the forecast of heavy rains in the area for Sunday night caused him to move it up a day.
“On first take, he appears to have come out of this well,” the trainer said. “He’s blowing some, but that’s to be expected. We’ve got some time to work with him the rest of the week, if need be. But all in all, I’m pleased.”
Colonel John will be handled in the 1 1/4-mile 2008 Kentucky Derby by California-based Corey Nakatani, who has been aboard in four of the colt’s six starts.
www.kentuckyderby.comed for his move shortly after the renovation break and they proved quite a team on a clear and crisp morning. Breaking off at the five-eights pole, the son of Tiznow went right about his business and – without any serious urging from his rider – registered a time of :57.80, which was clearly the best of a total of 62 works at the distance.
By anyone’s accounting it was impressive, especially so in light of the fact the California-based youngster had raced and trained almost exclusively on synthetic surfaces in the Golden State since beginning his career at Del Mar last summer.
“I’m happy with the way he did it,” said his conditioner, Eoin Harty. “He did it within himself and that’s what I liked. That track was fast today; maybe faster than it should be. But everyone else was working fast, so that’s part of my thinking. And she (Lhuillier) wasn’t pushing on him.”
Harty was asked if the work dispelled any thoughts about his colt’s possible inability to handle a dirt surface.
“Dirt is not an issue,” the trainer said. “I thought he handled it well today. He trained on dirt as a two-year-old and he handled it well then. I’ve been confident in him in that regard all along.”
Clockers registered split times on the homebred’s drill, catching him along the way in :12, :23.20, :34.60 and :46. He was tabbed at 1:11.20 on the six-furlong gallop out.
The next-best five-furlong work of the morning was turned in by the crackerjack filly Eight Belles, who covered the distance in :58.20. The tall, gray miss could well be on the track again with Colonel John, as she’s being pointed for a start against all the boys in the Kentucky Derby.
Harty had originally scheduled Colonel John’s work for Monday morning, but the forecast of heavy rains in the area for Sunday night caused him to move it up a day.
“On first take, he appears to have come out of this well,” the trainer said. “He’s blowing some, but that’s to be expected. We’ve got some time to work with him the rest of the week, if need be. But all in all, I’m pleased.”
Colonel John will be handled in the 10-furlong Derby by California-based Corey Nakatani, who has been aboard in four of the colt’s six starts.
www.kentuckyderby.com
"Colonel John Prepares For The 2008 Kentucky Derby" was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 3:45 am and is filed under Horse Racing Industry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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