On a seasonably cool Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) contenders Midnight Bourbon and Soup and Sandwich continued their preparation for the first Saturday in May with published workouts beneath the Twin Spires.
Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred G3 winner Midnight Bourbon breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 while Live Oak Plantation’s G1-placed Soup and Sandwich worked a half-mile in :48.80.
Soup and Sandwich, the runner-up finisher in the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1), worked at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) with jockey Declan Carroll aboard through fractions of :12.60 and :24.60. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.60 and completed seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27.40. The striking gray son of Into Mischief worked on the outside of two-time winner Natural Power, who completed a half-mile in :49.20.
“This was the first time I’ve seen him work because he’s been in Florida,” said trainer Mark Casse’s assistant, David Carroll. “He has a big stride on him and really got over the track well. I told Declan to just let him do his thing and gallop out nicely. I think he’s starting to find his stride. The Derby will be the first time he’ll be led over from his own stall and I think it’ll benefit him getting experience over the track.”
Soup and Sandwich has not finished off the board in three lifetime starts. He dominated Florida-bred competition in his debut at Gulfstream by 7 ¼ lengths. He returned in a first-level allowance at Tampa Bay Downs where he bested two rivals by 2 ¾ lengths. The homebred finished 2 ¾ lengths behind Known Agenda in the Florida Derby after dueling on the lead for the majority of the 1 1/8-mile race.
Two hours after Soup and Sandwich recorded his published workout, Midnight Bourbon took to the track and breezed on the outside of stablemate Jackie’s Warrior through fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :36.80. The duo galloped out together through five furlongs in 1:13.20 and completed seven furlongs in 1:27.40.
Like fellow Derby contender Soup and Sandwich, Midnight Bourbon has never finished off the board. Through seven lifetime starts, he’s recorded two wins, two seconds and three third-place finishes. Most recently, the son of Tiznow finished second to Hot Rod Charlie in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2).
The field for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve continues to take shape even with the completion of the qualifying races. As of Sunday morning, the last horse in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby was Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up Sainthood with 40 points. He’s scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday along with stablemate Known Agenda.
UPCOMING ARRIVALS – Several contenders from trainer Todd Pletcher’s squad are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday including Derby contenders Known Agenda and Sainthood along with Oaks runner Malathaat, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.
Sainthood and Malathaat are both scheduled to van approximately 75 miles from Keeneland to Churchill Downs at 11 a.m. Sunday. Known Agenda is slated to arrive later in the afternoon from South Florida. Pletcher’s New York-based runners Bourbonic and Dynamic One are scheduled to van Sunday evening to Louisville and arrive at approximately 5 a.m. Monday.
Pletcher will be stabled in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs
DOWN THE STRETCH – Travel plans for UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Panadol continue to be finalized. Trainer Salem bin Ghadayer reported that a decision on the colt’s plans to run in the Derby would be finalized in the upcoming days. … Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Clairiere worked five furlongs in 1:02 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. The Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) runner-up worked inside of multiple graded stakes winner Finite. … Trainer Kenny McPeek stated Lexington Stakes (G3) winner King Fury would run in either the Derby or Preakness (G1). “We’ll see how he comes out of the (Lexington) and if he gets enough points to get in the Derby,” McPeek said. “I think the Derby distance of 1 ¼ miles will hit him perfectly.” … The first day of the exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders will start Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and run through Thursday, April 29. Derby and Oaks horses will have a 15-minute training window where they will be the only horses on the track.
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