BIG BROWN – IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown, the emphatic 4 ¾- length winner of the 134th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), had an easy morning at Barn 22 following his victory in the “Run for the Roses.”
Smooth Air
Smooth Air
The last timed work for a horse entered in Kentucky Derby 134 was turned in Thursday by morning-line favorite Big Brown, who covered three furlongs in :35.40. The 35.40 was a bit faster than the :36 to :37 range Dutrow talked about Wednesday, but he said the time wasn’t a problem.
The Smooth Air team has been riding various waves of emotion this week, as can be expected when participating in the Kentucky Derby for the first time. Stutts, 70, and his wife Dianne attended the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders Derby Traine
Sunshine made the cold bearable on a beautiful morning at the Downs, and many of the Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders visited the track in preparation for the biggest day of their lives.
Speaking from Belmont Park where he was overseeing the New York division of his stable, trainer Todd Pletcher stated Monday morning that the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (GII) winner would bypass the Kentucky Derby and instead point for the Preakness Stakes two weeks later.
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With rain expected later in the afternoon, trainers had the opportunity to take advantage of ideal conditions at the Downs, and five Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders received their final workout in preparation for Saturday's 134th running.
COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow), ADRIANO (A.P. Indy) and EIGHT BELLES (Unbridled's Song) all came onto the track after the renovation break.
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Over Calder's fast track on Saturday, Hutcheson S. (G2) hero SMOOTH AIR (Smooth Jazz) worked seven furlongs in 1:25 4/5 with exercise rider Jodi Gelb aboard. The Bennie Stutts Jr. pupil galloped out one mile in 1:40 4/5. This move was his final local tune-up before leaving South Florida for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.