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| Shackleford after his workout. CTD 4-30-11 |
Summary:
Today’s hectic Kentucky Derby workout tab at Churchill Downs included a little bit of everything, including a huge throng of marathoners running through the infield during the 8:30am session, somewhat simulating the atmosphere that is expected in a week. You had a sizzling bullet (Shackleford), an immature work (Mucho Macho Man), an encouraging first time dirt move (Animal Kingdom), and a generally unimpressive effort (Twice The Appeal). In-depth analysis below in the links, but I will make a few backside observations of my own. Shackleford was an absolute standout and had quite a presence on the track. His front action seemed a little high but he was inhaling the track with each stride. You could hear the whip on Mucho Macho Man from two furlongs away, as he needed encouragement to start his work. Mike Welsch at the Daily Racing Form claims Twice The Appeal galloped out well after his subpar work, yet along the backside I caught several missteps that appeared as though he was not taking hold of the track. Animal Kingdom was quickly tracking his workmate and moving well, but did not leave quite the same favorable impression as others reported// Over at the Churchill Trackside training center Twinspired put in a work that was described as mere “maintenance” move// Todd Plecher held a small press conference outside of barn 34. He indicated that Uncle Mo’s appetite continues to improve, and the old Mo seems to be back. He was anxious to see his work Sunday to validate the feeling. Pletcher also revealed he was seriously considering Calvin Borel for the mount on Stay Thirsty, but decided to stick with the familiar Ramon Dominguez// Machen, who was once a buzz horse along the Triple Crown trail proved that shorter distance is more in his wheelhouse by winning the Derby Trial Stakes Saturday// more…
Articles:
· Barn Notes April 30 (Churchill Downs)
· 4/30 Morning Training video (Churchill Downs)
· Animal Kingdom, Shackleford shine in morning workouts [plus analysis on Mucho Macho Man too] (DRF)
· Animal Kingdom has good first work on dirt (Bloodhorse)
· Shackleford impresses in Kentucky Derby work (Bloodhorse)
· Solid work for Mucho Macho Man (Bloodhorse)
· Twice The Appeal works under Borel (Bloodhorse)
· Twinspired in maintenance work (Bloodhorse)
· Derby horses getting dirty before Kentucky Derby (NBC Sports)
· Dialed In, Soldat make it to Churchill [with video] (TTimes)
· Graham Motion: The horseman as homebody (New York Times)
· Why they can win/why they can’t win (Courier Journal)
· Smaller field would yield better Derby (Lexington Herald Leader)
· Derby bridle for a winning pick (Tulsa World)
· Here’s a Kentucky Derby story that has twice the appeal (Courier Journal)
· Machen nails Dominus in Derby Trial (Bloodhorse)
Works:
· Shackleford: CD- 5F- 58:80- B- 1/36
· Mucho Macho Man: CD- 5F- 1.00:40 B- 4/36
· Twice the Appeal: CD- 6F- 1.15:60- B- 7/9
· Animal Kingdom: CD- 6F- 1.13:00- B- 2/9
· Twinspired: CDt- 5F- 1.01:20 B- 5/13
