5 major Kentucky Derby workouts// Bejarano gets last remaining mount

Uncle Mo before his workout 5-1-11 CTD

Summary:

Of the five key Kentucky Derby workouts Sunday, the obvious headline was Uncle Mo, who worked in company with stablemate Stay Thirsty.  Reports were a mixed bag.  The connections were very pleased and Mike Welsch from the Daily Racing Form commented both horses seem to be doing “extremely well” based on how they completed their efforts without much urging, especially Stay Thirsty.  Other analysts and onlookers were not too impressed and noted Mo failed to pass his rival at any point.  For what it’s worth, I was able to see both exit the track and they seemed hardly winded// Pants On Fire, with Rosie Napravnik up, worked a half-mile in a quick 47:80.  Welsch says the move was a big improvement from his prior move, although the gallop out was not as good as the Pletcher duo// Comma To The Top worked in California in what was described by rider Patrick Valenzuela as “perfect”// Toby’s Corner put in his final work before the Derby in Maryland and trainer Graham Motion couldn’t be happier with how he’s coming into the Derby with both of his charges, the other being Animal Kingdom// Rafael Bejarano was fortunate enough to get a late Derby mount on Watch Me Go, who was moving quite well in the mud Sunday// Bubble horses Anthony’s Cross and Mr. Commons have been officially ruled out of entering the Derby, which leaves Lexington Stakes winner Derby Kitten as next in line// Monday’s scheduled works include Watch Me Go, Nehro, Midnight Interlude, and possibly Santiva// I’ve built a Kentucky Derby contender page with links to pps, video, breeding info, and comments.  I’ll be updating the information as the week moves along// Happy Derby week! You can tell it has arrived by the number of article links below...

Kentucky Derby Contenders page here

Works:

·       Comma to the Top: HOL- 5F- 1.00:40- H- 16/46

·       Toby's Corner: FH- 6F- 1.15:00- B- 2/5

·       Stay Thirsty: CD- 5F- 1.01:80- B- 9/20 (Sloppy)

·       Pants On Fire: CD- 4F- 47:80- B- 7/37 (Sloppy)

·       Uncle Mo: CD- 5F- 1.01:60- B- 8/20 (Sloppy)

Articles:

·       Kentucky Derby barn notes 5/1 (Churchill Downs)

·       Video: Workout video 5/1 (Churchill Downs)

·       Mike Welsch’s 5/1 Workout Report [with video] (DRF)

·       Company Time: Mo, Stay Thirsty drill together (Bloodhorse)

·       Pletcher: Uncle Mo ‘doing as well as ever’ [Video] (TTimes)

·       Video: Kentucky Derby news minute 5/1 (Bloodhorse)

·       Pants On Fire handles sloppy track well (Bloodhorse)

·       Toby’s Corner breezes just the way Motion wanted (DRF)

·       Toby’s Corner works, Anthony’s Cross out (Bloodhorse)

·       Add Comma To The Top to list of serious Kentucky Derby contenders (DRF)

·       Comma To The Top in final breeze at Hollywood (Bloodhorse)

·       Bejarano gets Kentucky Derby mount on Watch Me Go (DRF)

·       No Kentucky Derby for Anthony’s Cross (DRF)

·       Shireffs says no Derby, maybe Preakness for Mr. Commons (DRF)

·       Napravnik gets reacquainted with Pants On Fire (DRF)

·       KY Derby interview: Rosie Napravnik (Bloodhorse)

·       Uncle Mo’s owner willing to put money where his mouth is (DRF)

·       Repole heavily invested in Derby (Bloodhorse)

·       Haskin’s Derby report: Repole pair sole Breeders’ Cup survivors (Bloodhorse)

·       Sire Mineshaft can make his mark in Derby (Brisnet)

·       Trainer Graham Motion brings double threat to Derby (Lexington Herald Leader)

·       Kentucky Derby handicapping tips and traps (Courier Journal)

·       Never count out long shot champ (The Augusta Chronicle)

·       Mucho Macho Man racing’s ambassador to Georgia (TTimes)

·       Mucho Macho Man trainer champions the need for organ donation (Courier Journal)

·       Trainer Ritvo in Derby 3 years after transplant (AP)

·       Zoldan, horse ready for Derby (Youngstown Vindicator)

·       Nothing certain with Kentucky Derby hopefuls (Saratogian)

·       Temperature rises for Kentucky Derby (The Star-Ledger)

·       Derby rookie dreams (Albany Times Union Blog)

·       Derby predictions (Albany Times Union Blog)

·       Four horses try to break Grandfather’s jinx at Derby (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

·       2011 Kentucky Derby contenders- early betting odds (Pregame.com)

·       The Kentucky Derby: The most exciting two minutes in sports (Bleacher Report)

·       Does Calvin Borel make Twice the Appeal Derby favorite? (Bleaher Report)

·       A schedule for the week ahead (And Down The Stretch They Come)

·       5 facts about the Kentucky Derby (Richmond Times Dispatch)