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by NTRA | 04.30.2021 | 12:21pm
The eyes of the sporting world will be on Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., this weekend for the Grade 1 147th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. The Kentucky Derby, “America s greatest race” is back in its traditional position on the first Saturday in May, with fans in attendance, after being held last Sept. 5 without spectators due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Grade 1 Preakness Stakes on May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., and the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 5 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., complete this year s Triple Crown schedule.
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Mandaloun schooling at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day.
Galloping and jogging over a track listed as good dominated the morning activity on the day before the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher put the finishing touches on his Derby colts Friday morning, getting the quartet out early for final gallops prior to their Saturday date with destiny in the form of a mile and a quarter.
Three of his charges were among the first horses on the track, ambling over from Barn 42 and going through the six-furlong gap at 5:15 for mile and a quarter gallops. Known Agenda had his regular exercise rider, Hector Ramos, in the tack; Dynamic One was partnered by Carlos Perez Quevedo, and Sainthood had old buddy Amelia Green aboard.
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Brooklyn Strong at Churchill Downs
Mark Schwartz s Brooklyn Strong made his first appearance on the track at Churchill Downs Thursday morning, galloping a mile and a half over sloppy conditions caused by heavy overnight rains.
Steady rain was forecast all morning, but other than a few sprinkles during training hours everyone got their morning activity done before the precipitation began at 9:15.
BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher had weather concerns Thursday morning with a sizable rain storm projected to reappear at Churchill Downs in the 7 a.m. hour. So rather than wait for the 7:30-7:45 Derby/Oaks special training period as he had been doing in previous days with his Derby foursome, he got them going early.
Brooklyn Strong Gallops At Churchill Downs For First Time; Derby Hopefuls Beat The Rain But Not The Slop kentuckyderby.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kentuckyderby.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. With the rail still open and Kentucky Derby post positions dwindling, Brad Cox grew anxious about the most notable of his two horses drawing the least desired spot.
The home-grown trainer soon breathed easier. Essential Quality got something more palatable, though the hardest part awaits with the target firmly on his back.
Essential Quality is the 2-1 morning line favorite and will start from the No. 14 post for Saturday’s 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
“It got a little nerve-wracking with both horses still to go and the rail still being out there,” Cox said Tuesday. “I think it’ll be a good spot. He’s got good tactical speed that he’ll be able to get into a good position from there.”