Solid work for Liaison at Churchill Downs

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Trainer Bob Baffert sent out three-year-old colt Liaison for a six-furlong workout Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the 138th Kentucky Derby on May 5.

With Shaun Bridgmohan in the saddle, Liaison covered the three-quarters of a mile in 1:12 4/5. The work came one day after the colt galloped 1 1/2-miles at Churchill.

"I liked his gallop yesterday," Baffert said. "He's a very lazy worker and today I sent him out with no company and Shaun did an excellent job with him."

Liaison, who will be ridden by Martin Garcia in the Run for the Roses, had a difficult time this year at Santa Anita Park. He lost his rider in the stretch during the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, finished fourth in the San Felipe and sixth in the Santa Anita Derby.

"He did not like Santa Anita at all. It was too hard for him," Baffert said. "This track is a lot softer. He still has a lot to prove, but he is training well and looks well."

Baffert's other Derby horse, Bodemeister, walked the shedrow Wednesday following a workout Tuesday morning.

"He came out of the work well and will go back to the track in the morning," Baffert said. "I liked the way he sat off that other horse in the work, very controlled."

Bodemeister won the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park over stablemate Secret Circle on April 14. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith was aboard the colt for the win and will return to ride him in the Kentucky Derby. Smith guided Giacomo to victory in the 2005 Run for the Roses.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Dullahan galloped 1 1/2-miles Wednesday at Churchill with regular exercise rider Faustino Aguilar. The colt is trained by Dale Romans who won last year's Preakness with Shackleford.

Also taking a 1 1/2-mile gallop was Tampa Bay Derby champ Prospective. The colt is trained by Mark Casse and will be ridden in the Derby by Luis Contreras.

Over at the Trackside Training Center, 2011 juvenile champion Hansen galloped 1 1/2-miles. Trained by Mike Maker, Hansen will have Ramon Dominguez riding in the Run for the Roses.