Orb turns heads with quick work
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A wide-open Kentucky Derby might finally have a clear favorite after Orb dazzled onlookers Monday at Churchill Downs.
The Florida Derby winner looked the part of the public choice in his final tuneup before Saturday’s race. Working in tandem with stablemate Overwhelming, Orb effortlessly surged away from his companion in the stretch and galloped out strongly up the clubhouse turn. He completed the half mile drill in 47.80 seconds.
Orb scored big on style points even though the time wasn’t the fastest of the overcast morning,
Even his usually reserved Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey was impressed.
“I thought it was great,” he said. “I thought he finished up really well. He’s getting over this racetrack really well, which is important. I’m happy to be sitting here.”
After winning at Aqueduct in New York in November, Orb emerged as a top Derby horse by reeling off three consecutive victories at Gulfstream Park, culminating with the Florida Derby. The four-racing winning streak, coupled with a workout that showeda high comfort level over the Churchill Downs strip, will likely lure betting support.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the post-time favorite,” McGaughey said.
“He’s done so well here, and people have seen it.”Down to five
Todd Pletcher said that Lexington Stakes winner Winning Cause would skip the Derby, leaving him with a record-tying five starters.
The decision wasn’t a negative reflection on Winning Cause or his workout Monday. The colt already has won twice this month at Keeneland and a Derby run would mean three demanding races in a tight time frame.
“He seemed to come out of the Lexington in good shape and he worked well,” Pletcher said. “He seems to be a happy, healthy horse.”
Pletcher pointed to the Preakness, the Peter Pan at Belmont on May 11 or theMarine Stakes at Woodbine on May 26 as possible next races for Winning Cause.
“We felt the proper thing to do for the horse was to sit back, let things unfold in the Derby and see where to go after that,” Pletcher said.
He will send out undefeated Verrazano, Overanalyze, Revolutionary, Palace Malice and Charming Kitten in the Derby.
Field at 20
As of Monday night, 20 runners were committed to the Derby after Govenor Charlie, Code West and Winning Cause were withdrawn. Tiz a Minister, who ran last weekend at Betfair Hollywood Park, was not expected to make the trip from California.
After the defections, Golden Soul moved into 19th place on the points leader board. The Derby field is limited to 20 horses.
A drop-back closer who figures to be far behind the early leaders, he knows Churchill Downs. Golden Soul closed from 10th to miss by only a head in his debut here last November.
With the 20th spot suddenly open again, trainer Mike Maker said Fear the Kitten, fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes, would be entered with Alan Garcia slated to ride. Fear the Kitten has six points on the Kentucky Derby standings by virtue of his third-place finish in the LeComte and second-place finish in the Southwest Stakes.
Sports, Pages 22 on 04/30/2013