Longtime trainer Christophe Clement won’t have his first Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, after all.
Baffert colts work, likely to run in Preakness
As expected, Clement confirmed on Sunday that Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Deterministic will not run in the Derby on May 4. The lightly raced colt finished eighth in the Wood Memorial (G2) on April 6, but still had enough points to earn a spot in the Derby field limited to 20 starters.
Next up on the leaderboard is Grand Mo the First, who finished third in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 30.
A few others in the top 20 in the final Derby leaderboard could open the gate for others: Endlessly, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), and Encino, winner of the Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 13, are not sure things. The next two horses on the leaderboard are Common Defense and Epic Ride.
Deterministic will remain in New York, with a likely next start in the Peter Pan (G3) at Aqueduct on May 11. The colt worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.63 at Belmont’s dirt training track on Sunday.
“I spoke to the owners and we decided to keep him in New York and we will keep all the New York options open,” Clement said.
Clement, in his 33rd year as a trainer, is among 17 finalists for the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame class will be announced on Tuesday (April 23).
Grand Mo the First is Derby bound
Grand Mo the First, third in each of his last four stakes races, is expected to work on Tuesday at Gulfstream Park before being shipped to Churchill Downs.
Trainer Victor Barboza said the son of Uncle Mo will not have a timed workout at Churchill. Emisael Jaramillo will ride Grand Mo the First.
Grand Mo the First, won in his debut, won again in an allowance optional claimer, and ran third in the Zuma Beach Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita, the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream, the Tampa Bay Derby, and the Florida Derby.
Track Phantom works at Churchill
Track Phantom
Trainer Steve Asmussen made the eight-hour trip from Oaklawn Park to Churchill Downs to watch a bunch of his horses work on Sunday, including Risen Star (G2) runner-up Track Phantom.
Track Phantom breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 with jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard. The colt worked in company with stablemate Carbone.
Blinkers were on TRACK PHANTOM (outside) this morning who worked in company with CARBONE (inside) for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen.
🏇 5 furlongs
⏱️ 1:00.80 pic.twitter.com/1q2mRkVlWv— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 21, 2024
Asmussen reported that Track Phantom, with a 7-3-2-1 record, will wear blinkers for the first time in the Derby.
Gaffalione also worked Asmussen’s Oaks contender Our Pretty Woman (5 furlongs, 1:00).
Top Baffert 3-year-olds work at Santa Anita
Six-time Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert will miss his third straight Run for the Roses as his suspension by Churchill Downs, Inc., continues, but his 3-year-olds are working toward their next start – likely the Preakness (G1) on May 18.
Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Muth worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20, while Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Imagination worked 4 furlongs in 48.00.
Baffert was suspended by CDI after his 2021 first-place finisher Medina Spirit tested positive for a race-day overage of a medication. None of the horses he trains were allowed to earn Derby qualifying points.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
