Jerkens Saddles ‘Strong’Contender

After his GI Kentucky Derby dreams were crushed in 2009 when likely favorite Quality Road was scratched with a quarter crack the week of the race, conditioner Jimmy Jerkens will saddle his first ever Derby runner May 3 in Wicked Strong(Hard Spun). 
    “It’s a great feeling, no doubt about it,” Jerkens remarked. “Out of all the foals born every year it gets narrowed down to this. If you have one going to the post you got to feel lucky.” 
Kicking off his sophomore season at Gulfstream, the Centennial Farms colorbearer failed to fire in the GII Holy Bull S. Jan. 25, where he finished ninth. 
    “There was a lot of pre-race antics before the Holy Bull,” Jerkens said. “He acted terrible in the gate and ended up getting a tail injury. Underneath his tail he ended up getting a big long gash that took a while to heal. Once the gate opened he wasn’t in a good mood and ended up losing a lot of ground, got hung out, threw in the towel early and ended up just galloping down the backside.” 
    The bay improved to fourth next time in a fully loaded allowance there Feb. 22 that was won be eventual 
GI Florida Derby winner Constitution (Tapit). 
   “It looked like he was doing very well heading into the second race,” Jerkens commented. “He was only fourth, but it was a lot better race than it looked on paper. He only got beat six lengths with a very, very wide trip. We lost ground on every turn and the horse that won came back and won the Florida Derby.” 
Jerkens also felt that part of Wicked Strong’s problems in Hallandale were due to the amount of kick back he incurred in both races. 
    “The thing about the track that he didn’t like was the kick back,” the trainer said. “One thing I noticed both races is when he came back his eyes were irritated to the point where they were closed shut for a couple of days. We really had a hard time clearing them up in order to get them open again. That was not the case in any of his New York races, so I think that was the biggest thing.” 
    With a lot of speed horses signed on, it looks like the Derby should set up perfectly for a closer like Wicked Strong, who came charging late to capture the GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial when last seen at Aqueduct Apr. 5. 
    “On paper [the pace] looks great, but so many things have to go right regardless,” Jerkens remarked. “It looks good for us of course, but at the same time we have to be able to be in a good spot where he is comfortable and saving a little ground. Where he was in the Wood was perfect. I had great confidence in where he was laying down the backside.” 
    The bay’s tendency to act up in the gate is Jerken’s biggest concern heading into the first Saturday in May. 
    “I think if he is able to act good in the gate [it will help], which is a big question mark with him,” Jerkens said. “It all depends on what post he draws. If he is in the gate a little too long it might rattle him a little bit. I am just hoping things work out the right way for us and he gets a nice trip.” 
   Wicked Strong will put in a final work at Belmont Friday before shipping to Churchill Saturday. 
    “The next work we are going to farther, but not a whole lot faster,” Jerkens said. “He is a horse that is a little on the light side, so I don’t want to do anything too fast that will get him on edge or cause him to loose a few pounds. That is the last thing I want at this stage of the game. We will probably go six or seven furlongs at a moderate pace.” 
    Jerkens feels confident in his charge’s chances 12 days from now. 
   “He certainly needs to run the race of his life to win it or hit the board, but I think he is primed and headed that way” Jerkens commented. “We are going down there with a lot of confidence. You have to make sure your horse is doing as good as he possibly can and hope the rest takes care of itself.”