: Churchill Downs News Update: Kentucky Derby 147 Runners Return to Training

By Darren Rogers —-

KENTUCKY DERBY 147 RUNNERS RETURN TO TRAINING

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, May 16, 2021) – Several locally based contenders from the recent $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) returned to the Churchill Downs work tab Saturday and Sunday.

Trainer Brad Cox was not represented in this year’s Preakness Stakes (GI) but his Derby duo of Godolphin’s Essential Quality and Juddmonte’s Mandaloun both recorded easy half-mile moves early Saturday morning. Essential Quality worked in :50.80 while Mandaloun breezed in :48.20.

Cox and Godolphin reported following the Derby that Essential Quality would be considered for the third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (GI). A next race option for Mandaloun is still to be announced.

Another Derby runner that recorded a Saturday work was D J Stable’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GII) winner Helium, who cruised an easy half-mile in :48.80. Trainer Mark Casse’s local assistant David Carroll reported the colt could target the $150,000 Matt Winn (GIII) on May 29 at Churchill Downs.

One of the few horses to close significant ground into the pace of the Kentucky Derby was Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Terry Stephens’ O Besos. The Orb colt worked a half-mile in :49.20 Saturday with jockey Marcelino Pedroza in the saddle. Trainer Greg Foley reported several options are being considered for the 3-year-old but a decision has not been made final.

On Sunday, M Racing Group’s $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) winner Like the King returned to the turf to work five furlongs in 1:02.40 under jockey Tyler Gaffalione with trainer Wesley Ward watching from the grandstand. Ward reported the son of Palace Malice could be considered for the $150,000 Audubon, run at 1 1/8 miles over the turf.

LADY OF LUXURY BREAKS TRACK RECORD SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – Joey Keith Davis and Jackie Rojas’ Lady of Luxury broke the 5 ½-furlong Matt Winn Turf Course track record Saturday at Churchill Downs when she recorded a dominating 3 ¾-length score in a conditioned allowance event in 1:02.13.

Trained by Chris Hartman and ridden by Mitchell Murrill, Lady of Luxury rewarded her backers with a $19 mutuel payoff.

The previous 5 ½-furlong turf record was established in 2019 by allowance winner Om, who stopped the clock in 1:02.24.

STAKES PROBABLES – Saturday is Downs After Dark presented by Budweiser and the 11-race nighttime program will feature the $150,000 Winning Colors (Grade III) and the $110,000 Keertana Overnight Stakes.

The following horses are likely to enter the Winning Colors, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up, according to Churchill Downs assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork: Frank’s Rockette (trainer Bill Mott); Mundaye Call (Brad Cox); Palace Avenger (Wesley Ward) and Sconsin (Greg Foley).

Both races will be drawn Wednesday.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Sunday’s racing action at Churchill Downs began at 12:45 p.m. for the nine-race program. The 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot had a carryover of $55,043. … Stonestreet Stables’ Campanelle (IRE) continued her Sunday turf work pattern at Churchill Downs in preparation for a start at the 2021 Royal Ascot Meeting. Trained by Wesley Ward, the daughter of Kodiac (GB) worked five furlongs in 1:00 with Julio Garcia aboard. She’s on target to enter the Commonwealth Cup on June 18, according to Ward. … Champion sprinter Whitmore was one of the first horses to work Sunday morning where he cruised a half-mile in :48.40 inside stablemate Ike. … Korea Racing Authority’s multiple Grade I winner Knicks Go continued his preparation for Lone Star Park’s $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile (GIII) with a six furlong move in 1:12.80 Sunday at 7:30 a.m. … Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) fourth-place finisher Clairiere returned to the work tab Sunday with an easy half-mile in :51. Her stablemate, Oaks eighth-place runner Pauline’s Pearl, worked a half-mile in :51.60. … After dark days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, racing at Churchill Downs will resume Thursday for Twilight Thursday with a first post of 5 p.m.