Chasing The Derby: The Factor returns to track for first time since surgery, uncertain for Kentucky Derby// Nehro, Comma work

Summary:

The backside whispers of The Factor recently undergoing minor surgery for flipping his soft palate turned out to be true as Bob Baffert confirmed to the Daily Racing Form on Monday. The Factor was out on the Churchill Downs track for his first gallop since the myectomy and appeared to be moving well. As for entering him in the Derby, Baffert was non-committal and opened the door for just about every possible next race scenario: Derby, Preakness, Met Mile, sprint, and "insert race name here"// While Nehro’s official workout was clocked at a slow 1:02.80, Mike Welsch claims the colt looked comfortable on the muddy Churchill track. He did have his head cocked towards the infield and had to navigate through some traffic nearing the finish. In the workout report video he also touches on several key works and observations from the last few days. Interesting notes are that Stay Thirsty and Pants on Fire did not gallop out very well and Archarcharch didn’t seem to like the muddy surface. Most impressive of all to him was Soldat last Thursday at Palm Meadows// No word on Comma To The Top’s workout at Hollywood. The final time was not quick, but no other details available at the moment.

J P’s Gusto is still possible for the Kentucky Derby and a decision should be announced by Wednesday// Mike Watchmaker handicaps this year’s Derby preps, which offers a unique angle. Although the lowest odds are not for the Arkansas Derby, he does note it as his first preference, which I would agree// There is still an outside chance Master Of Hounds will race this Saturday in the Two Thousand Guineas as opposed to the Derby// Uncle Mo and Midnight Interlude are scheduled to work at Churchill Tuesday (weather permitting)// An updated graded earnings list is linked below and Astrology is back on, although as we reported yesterday he is still doubtful for the Derby//

Several nice background articles today: Brilliant Speed’s upbringing at Live Oak Stud, Rosie Napravnik’s confidence and success in Louisiana, and breeder Carole Rio’s tales of Mucho Macho Man// more…

Graded Earnings

· Official Graded Earnings April 24 (Churchill Downs)

Articles:

· April 25^th training report (Brisnet)

· Nehro splashes an easy five furlongs [with video] (DRF)

· Nehro breezes in slop, The Factor and J P’s Gusto still on fence (TTimes)

· The Factor recovering from throat surgery (DRF)

· Midnight Interlude looks like Baffert’s best bet for Derby (Courier Journal)

· Master Of Hounds kept eligible for Guineas (Brisnet)

· Mucho Macho Man was born to run (Steve Haskin Bloodhorse Blog)

· Days of wine and Rosie [Napravnik] (Gambit)

· Rain puts damper on training (DRF)