The Churchill Downs track is getting busier and busier by the day, but all eyes were trained on one specific horse the morning of April 23 as Fierceness, the likely favorite for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1), took his first spin around the Louisville, Ky., oval.
It was an easy day for the 2-year-old champion as he immediately hooked a right coming out of the gap by the 5 1/2-furlong pole and galloped one mile under regular exercise rider Danny Wright.
"He's super laid back, very efficient," said trainer Todd Pletcher, "took everything in stride this morning."
Coming off an emphatic 13 1/2-length victory in the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Fierceness has shown the jump that all trainers hope to see from age 2 to 3. However, Pletcher believes there might still be more for the City of Light colt to show.
"I've seen him grow through the course of the winter and spring," Pletcher said. "I think he's still filling into his frame, which is scary to think that there might be some improvement there still."
Accompanying Fierceness to the track at 7:30 a.m. were his Kentucky Oaks (G1) contending stablemates Leslie's Rose and Candied. The fillies made their first appearance on the track April 22 after arriving from Keeneland the day before.
"Everyone shipped in well, seem to be settling in nicely," Pletcher said. "First couple days over the track, everything's gone smoothly."
A finalist for an Eclipse Award last year, Candied had a delayed start to her year and made only one start in preparation for the Oaks, a fourth in the April 5 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. She sits 17th on the Oaks leaderboard and would need three defections to participate.
"We'd love to see her draw in," Pletcher said. "She's been a little bit unlucky drawing the one hole in her last couple of races and was closing well in the (Breeders' Cup) Juvenile Fillies. I'd love to get a chance."
Her opportunity to advance up the ranks might be aided by her stablemate Manama Gold, who was transferred to the care of Pletcher after winning the UAE Oaks (G3) at Meydan Feb. 23.
Manama Gold was not nominated to the Oaks, but Pletcher said earlier in the week she could be supplemented if she qualified. However, after travel and quarantine complications, it appears unlikely that she will run even if she makes the field.
"Right now I'd say she's behind schedule," Pletcher said. "We'll give her a breeze over the track and see, but at the moment I'm leaning more toward pointing for the Acorn on Belmont day."
Pletcher plans to breeze his fillies April 24 and Fierceness April 25.
"We've done most of our major work at home," Pletcher said. "I would expect some solid breezes, but we're not looking to overdo it."
Catalytic and Brown Trio Also Make First Churchill Downs Appearance
Fierceness was not the only Florida shipper to see the Twin Spires for the first time Tuesday morning. Tami Bobo, Julie Davis, and George Isaac's Catalytic, runner-up to Fierceness in the Florida Derby, jogged a mile around the track and is expected to work April 28.
Klaravich Stables' Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Domestic Product also took his first steps on the Churchill dirt. Both he and fellow Chad Brown trainee Sierra Leone galloped a mile and a half.
"The first day on the track was excellent," Brown said of Domestic Product. "He was moving well."
Brown had the same praise for Klaravich's Oaks contenders Regulatory Risk and Ways and Means, who both visited the track for the first time.
Derby Notes From the Downs
- Daily Racing Form reported that the legendary Frankie Dettori has the mount on Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) runner-up Society Man. This will be Dettori's first Derby mount since riding China Visit to a sixth-place finish in 2000. Dettori, 53, has typically ridden in Europe in early May, but he is riding full-time in the United States this year as he winds down his career.
- Jockey Ryusei Sakai arrived from Japan and galloped UAE Derby (G2) winner Forever Young a mile and a half ahead of his six-furlong breeze scheduled for tomorrow.
- Brad Cox's Derby trio of Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom, Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Just a Touch, and Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Encino all galloped a mile and a half at 7:30 a.m. before schooling in the new paddock at 10 a.m.
- Ben Curtis made the 10-hour trek from Delaware to Kentucky after being officially named Honor Marie's Derby jockey Monday. He was on hand to watch his gallop Tuesday and will gallop the horse tomorrow. The pair will breeze Thursday.
- D. Wayne Lukas sent Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Just Steel and Honeybee Stakes (G3) winner Lemon Muffin to the track at 5:30 a.m. for the first time since their April 20 workouts.
- Wood Memorial winner Resilience and stablemate Just F Y I, another Oaks contender, jogged a mile one day after recording five-furlong workouts.
- Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold was set to arrive Tuesday afternoon.
- Fantasy Stakes (G2) third-place finisher Tapit Jenallie was likely on track the longest today. After standing in the chute for 15 minutes, she visited the paddock and the starting gate before galloping a mile and a half.
