Fierceness, Other Contenders Get Final Derby Preps In The Books

[Wandering Eyes]

The likely favorite for next Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) completed his final preparation with a half-mile work Friday in :48.80 (43/68) according to Churchill Downs release Friday afternoon. Working under jockey John Velzazquez and in company with fellow 'Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road), the Repole Stables-owned runner worked through fractions of :12.80, :24.80, :36.80 and :48.80 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60, six furlongs in 1:12.60 and seven-eights in 1:26.

“I'm very, very happy with the work,” indicated trainer Todd Pletcher.

 

FIERCENESS worked a half-mile in company with AGATE ROAD for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. #KyDerby150

:48.80@JoeyDaKRacing & @RosieNapravnik take you through his work. pic.twitter.com/c5d2Oix8bj

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 26, 2024

Also potentially working towards the Derby, Endlessly (Oscar Performance) breezed his half-mile in :47.80 (19/68) for Amerman Racing with Umberto Rispoli aboard.

“All options are now open,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “I liked his move this morning, very pleased with it. Now we'll see what's next. I'm going to have a conversation with Mr. Amerman now and see what we're going to do.”

Several Derby contenders had routine gallops Friday morning ahead of scheduled works Saturday. The list of gallopers included: Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser), Catching Freedom (Constitution), Encino (Nyquist), Just a Touch (Justify), Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Domestic Product (Practical Joke), Dornoch (Good Magic), Society Man (Good Magic), Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}), Mystik Dan (Goldencents), Resilience (Into Mischief), Track Phantom (Quality Road) and Stronghold (Ghostzapper).

Ahead of next Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, trainer Brad Cox sent out both Gin Gin (Hightail) and 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) for their final works. The pair breezed together, finishing in :59.60 (5/25) and :59.20 (2/25) respectively.

“I thought the move was very strong,” said Cox. “Tarifa started just behind Gin Gin and they both finished up well together and galloped out strong. A good, solid move. We're looking forward to getting them ready for next Friday.”

 

Tarifa (5F :59.20) and Gin Gin (5F :59.60) competing their final works before the #KyOaks. pic.twitter.com/mHk2kERJ0N

— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 26, 2024

Also working was Into Champagne (Into Mischief) who completed five furlongs in 1:00 (11/25) for Ian Wilkes, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (five furlongs in :59.40 {3/25}), Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy) (four furlongs in :46.60 {5/68}) and Manama Gold (Star Guitar), who was withdrawn from Oaks consideration by trainer Todd Pletcher following her work.

“She worked OK this morning (half mile in :48.60), but she got real tired at the end of it,” Pletcher said. “She looks like she has the makings of a good filly, but we're going to need some more time to work with her before she's ready to go. We won't be putting her in the Oaks.”

Gallopers on the morning included: Just FYI (Justify), Lemon Muffin (Collected), Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) and Ways and Means (Practical Joke).

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