Chasing The Derby: Liaison gets green light for Derby, Garcia to ride// Opinions mixed on Bodemeister work// Creative Cause goes 5

Most morning workouts are viewed closely by a clocker, trainer, and occasional owner. You can add a reporter or two when it comes to stakes caliber horses. However, the viewer and critic pool grows exponentially when a possible Kentucky Derby favorite breezes less than two weeks from the country’s biggest horserace- especially with the help of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Reaction from Bodemeister’s 5 furlong workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday ranged from “nice” “solid”, “good, not great” and “terrible”. Trainer Bob Baffert probably put things in perspective the best when he reminded everyone the colt is only 10 days past the biggest effort of his life in the Arkansas Derby and they weren’t looking to push him. Bodemeister will put in a final work ahead of the Derby either Sunday or Monday// Creative Cause, another top flight Derby contender, worked at Hollywood Park Tuesday without blinkers and will not race with them in the Derby. According to regular jockey Joel Rosario, Creative Cause relaxes more without the equipment. Creative Cause is tentatively scheduled to work at Churchill Downs next Tuesday. For today’s workout times, video, and reports see the links below// Baffert was also on-hand to watch Liaison train on the Churchill surface. He claimed the colt moved much better on the Louisville track than Santa Anita, where he finished out of the money in his last three races. With that vote of confidence, Liaison was confirmed for the Kentucky Derby, where he could be one of the highest prices on the board. Martin Garcia gets the call to ride the son of Indian Charlie// All five workers from Monday; Daddy Nose Best, Sabercat, Mark Valeski, Isn’t He Clever, and Optimizer were in good order the next day// Julien Leparoux seems anxious to get in the starting gate with Union Rags in the Derby. He’s put the much criticized ride in the Florida Derby behind him and has no concerns his mount will get the 10 furlong distance based on his strong gallop out from the race// The article list is growing every day as we get closer to the Derby. See below for features on Daddy Nose Best, Union Rags, Derby trends, Derby pace, overseas odds, and more…

Works

Bodemeister- CD- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 3/23 (12.80, 25, 36.80, 48.80. Out 1:13, 127.60)

Creative Cause- HOL- 5F- 1.00:20- H- 5/35

Workout Videos

Bodemeister video (Churchill Downs)

Bodemeister clips and interview with Bob Baffert (Courier Journal)

Workout Reports

Bodemeister puts in solid drill [plus info on Creative Cause & video] (DRF)

More on Bodemeister: Bloodhorse / TTimes / AP / Brisnet / DRF

More on Creative Cause: TTimes / Bloodhorse /

Kentucky Derby News and Opinion

Kentucky Derby barn notes 4/24 (Churchill Downs)