Derby contenders gallop ahead of workouts

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Thursday marked another day of jogs and gallops for this year's Kentucky Derby contenders. Most of the horses will have workouts Saturday or Sunday.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez had Gotham Stakes winner Vyjack gallop 1 1/2 miles at Churchill Downs.

"Everything is good so far," Rodriguez said. "The owner (David Wilkenfeld) is coming in Friday and Vyjack will work one of the next two days depending on the weather."

Oxbow and Will Take Charge, both trained by D. Wayne Lukas, galloped 1 1/2 miles with exercise rider Rudy Quevedo working both 3-year-olds.

"I like how my horses are doing. Whether they are good enough remains to be seen," Lukas said. "Over the years, you get a feel about them and I am very comfortable with them now."

Also galloping 1 1/2 miles Thursday morning was Louisiana Derby runner-up Mylute, trained by Tom Amoss.

Amoss will have the colt work first thing Saturday with jockey Rosie Napravnik in the saddle.

"Number one, I don't care for the weather forecast (Sunday) and I'd rather work further out than closer out," Amoss said. "Secondly, with night racing (at Churchill Downs) on Saturday, the jockeys aren't going to get done until after 11 o'clock. I don't want to work the following morning and feel like everyone is not totally focused on the task at hand."

Trainer Todd Pletcher's four definite Derby starters, Verrazano, Overanalyze, Revolutionary and Palace Malice, all galloped during the 15-minute period following the morning renovation break when the track is reserved for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders.

Revolutionary, owned by WinStar Farm, was watched by the organization's president/CEO Elliott Walden.

"I feel real good about him," Walden said. "I think a big key is getting in the race and having a shot and I think he's got as good of a shot as any of them. Calvin (Borel) is excited about riding him and really liked the way he went when he worked him last Sunday. So, we're excited about that."

Pletcher had Charming Kitten and Winning Cause gallop before the renovation break.