Shadwell Stable's undefeated multiple Grade II winner Mohaymen (Tapit) breezed a half-mile in :49.40 Friday morning at Palm Meadows in preparation for his next start in the GI Florida Derby Apr. 2 at Gulfstream Park.
With regular exercise rider Miguel Jaime aboard, the sophomore's work was the second-fastest of 36 horses at the distance over the main track.
It was the first work back for Mohaymen since his 2 1/4-length victory in the GII Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth S. Feb. 27, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin plans two more breezes leading up to the GI Florida Derby Apr. 2.
“He went in :49 and two, but the track was a little dull this morning, a little dry. It was probably equivalent to :48 and two, so it was a very good work,” McLaughlin said. “We're very happy with him. He's doing great and we're happy to have him back on the worktab.”
Prior to his Fountain of Youth win, the undefeated Mohaymen also captured the GII Nashua S. and GII Remsen S. as a juvenile and the GII Lambholm South Holy Bull S. Jan. 30 at Gulfstream.
“Obviously, he's two-for-two this year so everything is great.” McLaughlin said. “No changes. He's happy, and we just want to keep him that way.”
The 65th running of the Florida Derby is shaping up as a showdown between Mohaymen and J. Paul Reddam's undefeated champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo), winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Nyquist is scheduled to have his final work in California before arriving at Gulfstream Mar. 28.
“We need to worry about them all, but obviously Nyquist is a top horse, also undefeated, won the Breeders' Cup,” McLaughlin said. “The distance won't be an issue for him because he already ran long at Keeneland and was very wide. It's going to be a great race, probably between those two. We'll see who else is in the race, but it is what it is. We're ready. We're training on and doing well and always planned for this. We're staying with our plan.”
Also making his return to the Gulfstream worktab Friday was Jacks or Better Farm homebred Fellowship (Awesome of Course)–third behind Mohaymen in both the Fountain of Youth and Holy Bull–who breezed a half-mile in :47.53 over Gulfstream's main track.
“So far he's been right there running against the best and he'll be running against the best next time,” Fellowship's trainer Stanley Gold said. “It's certainly not an easy task, but he's finishing and as long as he's finishing, he's got a shot. The extra eighth of a mile is not going to hurt him. We'll see.”
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