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.”
Visionaire
Visionaire
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.
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.
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
The grandstand and backside were packed with people on a picture perfect morning at Churchill.
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.
Todd Pletcher equaled a Kentucky Derby (G1) record with five starters in 2007, but he was on the verge of being left out of this year's event only two weeks ago as none of his horses had enough graded earnings to make the race. Then, MONBA (Maria's Mon) and COWBOY CAL (Giant's Causeway) finished one-two in the April 12 Blue Grass S.