Intrepido Will Ship For KY Derby After Fast Work

Grade 1 winner Intrepido, who was fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 4, returned to the work tab April 19 at Santa Anita Park. The Maximus Mischief colt drilled 4 furlongs in :47 2/5, which was quicker than trainer Jeff Mullins had anticipated and the second-fastest of 97 works at the distance. "I didn't (expect that)," Mullins said. "But we often get what we don't expect." Intrepido is now a candidate to run in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1). Following Sunday's work, Mullins said Intrepido would ship to Churchill Downs with the hopes of competing in the 1 1/4-mile classic. "That's the plan," Mullins said. As of Sunday morning, Intrepido had not yet officially secured a berth in the Derby, which is limited to 20 starters. According to the official Kentucky Derby leaderboard provided by Churchill Downs on Sunday, Intrepido ranked No. 22. The list of horses waiting for a spot saw two changes Sunday as Nearly and Bravaro, ranked No. 23 and 24, respectively, were declared out of consideration. Centennial Farm's Dr. Stephen Carr told Daily Racing Form's David Grening that Nearly will be given time off at a farm. Grening also reported that Bravaro will be pointed to the Mike Lee Stakes at Saratoga Race Course June 3. Asked if Intrepido would run in a different race at Churchill Downs if he didn't make the Derby, Mullins replied, "No." Stablemate Queen Maxima is also headed to Churchill Downs, Mullins added. Last year, Queen Maxima won the Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard the day prior to the Derby. Intrepido is owned by Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. A $385,000 auction purchase last year, Intrepido as a 2-year-old won the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita and was fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) after a slow start. Prior to the Santa Anita Derby, Intrepido finished second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita in his 3-year-old debut. Expected Kentucky Derby starter Pavlovian, trained by Doug O'Neill, worked 6 furlongs in 1:16 at Santa Anita Sunday morning.