Pair of Derby Contenders Work at Churchill

GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls War Story (Northern Afleet) and Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) both breezed five furlongs over a fast track at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning. 

Working on his own when the track opened, Loooch Racing Stables, Glenn Ellis and Christopher Dunn’s War Story stopped the clock in 1:02 with fractions of :12.80, :24.60, :36.40 and :49 under Dylan Davis. The Tom Amoss trainee, who clocked the seventh fastest move of 20 at that distance, galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.60. 
“That was a typical work for him,” Amoss said. “He definitely knows the difference between practice and a race. To say that he is a lazy work horse is accurate.” 

It was the third local work for the chestnut gelding, who was runner-up in both the GIII LeComte S. Jan. 17 and GII Risen Star S. Feb. 21, and was third in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 28. Louisiana Derby pilot Joe Talamo retains the mount for the Run for the Roses May 2. 

“This work was similar to his others except that his extension of stride was nicer this morning,” Amoss said. “This will probably be his last work. This is the plan we used before the Risen Star [working 10 days before the race] and that worked well.” 

Amoss added, “He has improved daily and I see an enthusiastic horse. War Story deserves to be in the Derby. He has got to improve dramatically to win this race.” 

Zayat Stables’ Mr. Z hit the track after the morning renovation break and breezed five furlongs in 1:01 in company with fellow sophomore Majestico (Majesticperfection). Ridden by Edvin Vargas, the chestnut started a length back from his workmate and finished on even terms in splits of :12.80, :25, :37 and :48.60 with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:15.60. 

“I thought it was fine,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. “You don’t get paid at 8:30 in the morning.” 

An impressive maiden winner over this strip last summer, Mr. Z has earned many black-type placings in the top races for his class both this year and last year. Ninth in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 28, the chestnut returned on just two weeks rest to finish third behind champion and fellow Zayat colorbearer American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 11. Jockey Ramon Vazquez, who was aboard in the Arkansas Derby, will pilot the colt on the first Saturday in May. 

“He is probably the most seasoned horse in the race and didn’t need to do too much,” Lukas said. “Plus, he has an affinity for this race track.”