IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s undefeated Big Brown was installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite Wednesday afternoon over 19 rivals for Saturday’s 134th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) at Churchill Downs.
Nick Zito
Nick Zito
ADRIANO – Courtlandt Farms’ Adriano visited the paddock and starting gate before galloping a mile and a half under Xavier Aizpuru after the renovation break.
“He never has had any problems at the gate and this is just a precaution,” said Alice Clapham, assistant to trainer Graham Motion. “As long as the opportunity is there, we may as well take advantage of it.”
ADRIANO – Courtlandt Farm’s Adriano, winner of the Lane’s End Stakes (Grade II) at Turfway Park, continued his preparation for the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) with a five-furlong work on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Robert LaPenta’s War Pass, the champion 2-year-old of 2007 and winner of the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) at Monmouth Park, has suffered a leg injury that has knocked the colt out of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI).
Four Roses Thoroughbreds’ Anak Nakal, winner of the $250,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Grade II) at Churchill Downs, continued his preparation for a run in the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) with a four-furlong work over the Louisville track on Friday.
BIG BROWN (Boundary), the undefeated winner of the Florida Derby (G1), worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 on a fast track at Palm Meadows on Friday. The Richard Dutrow-trained colt is a leading contender for the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3 at Churchill Downs.