A rain-drenched Pimlico oval caused trainer Todd Pletcher to make an adjustment to May 6 GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister)'s morning work schedule Friday. The colt is expected to make his next start in the GI Preakness S. May 20. Accompanied by rider Nick Bush, the energized colt completed two miles on the main track in the company of a pony.
“He was full of himself, feeling great,” said Pletcher. “I'm really happy where he is energy level-wise. We'll just sit around and worry about the weather forecast and go from there.”
The original plan had been to gallop once around, however, the weather–and the colt's energy level–prompted last minute adjustments that plan.
“I told Nick before we went out, 'Let's see how he's doing,'” Pletcher explained. “He was pretty energetic, so we felt like going two miles would be better. He's razor-sharp and that's what we're hoping for.”
With more rain in the forecast Friday into Saturday, Pletcher indicated he may allow the dual Grade I winner gallop Saturday morning.
“I'll play it by ear,” he said. “The main thing is that I don't want him to get too fresh. If the track is the same [Saturday] as it was [Friday], I'd probably opt to gallop. We're flexible. We'll inspect the track in the morning and do what we think is best for him.”
The seven-time Eclipse Award winning trainer added, “This whole two weeks in between the Derby and the Preakness is all about just refueling and keeping him healthy and happy. Right now he looks like he's very, very happy.”
Also forced to make an 11th-hour schedule change because of the soggy Pimlico going, Royal Mo (Uncle Mo)–accompanied by Taylor Leatherman–galloped a little over a mile Friday morning. Originally slated to breeze Saturday morning, the winner of the GIII Robert Lewis S. is likely to wait another day or two before putting in a final serious work for the Preakness.
“I was planning on working him on Saturday, but I think I'll put it off another day or two,” confirmed trainer John Shirreffs. “Being an Uncle Mo, he gets over wet surfaces OK. He got over it really well and galloped a little over a mile [Friday] and handled it.”
After failing to draw into the Kentucky Derby, Royal Mo arrived in Baltimore Tuesday aboard a flight with Always Dreaming.
“We got here early so he could get a chance to get used to his surroundings and the racetrack,” said Shirreffs.
Gary Stevens is slated to ride Royal Mo in his next start.
“I'm going to leave that up to Gary; He's a Hall of Famer,” Shirreffs said. “He's really excited about riding Royal Mo. He was probably the most disappointed that he didn't get into the Kentucky Derby. Royal Mo is a horse that likes to match strides, so I'd imagine he'll let him roll a little bit and get him in a good position and go from there.”
John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), a troubled fourth in the Kentucky Derby, galloped at Churchill Downs Friday morning after jogging one day prior. Last year's 2-year-old champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero is scheduled to van to Baltimore Sunday.
“He felt great,” said exercise rider Martin Rivera. “As soon as I turned him around [after jogging to the front side], he was dragging me, on the muscle [Friday]. He came back really good after the [Kentucky Derby]. I loved the way he went this morning. He's come back more aggressive, actually.”
Norman Casse, trainer Mark Casse's son and assistant, is pleased with what he has observed in the quirky colt since the Derby.
“He's a really tough horse,” said Norm Casse. “He really loves what he's doing right now. I'm really happy just the fact that he's finally in a routine, he's finally under a regular pattern where he's running and isn't missing any training or that kind of thing. I think probably the most important thing coming out of that race is how well he's doing, that I think he's going to run a really good race in Baltimore.
Looking at the race ahead, Norm Casse added, “We definitely feel like we want another shot at Always Dreaming. I mean, a legit shot. We want to go over to the Preakness. We want Always Dreaming to run his race and that he has a good trip. We want Classic Empire to run his race and he has a good trip. And we settle it on the racetrack and see who is the best 3-year-old in the country.”
Also slated to ship to Pimlico this weekend, GII Fountain of Youth S. winner Gunnevera (Dialed In), accompanied by Victor O'Farrell, returned to Churchill's main track Friday morning. Sent out at approximately 8:30 a.m., the chestnut is expected to make his next start in the second jewel in the Triple Crown.
“He went perfect,” confirmed trainer Antonio Sano. “We're very happy with how he looks after the race. He didn't really lose any weight, in fact, he looks similar to when he won the [GIII] Delta Jackpot [at Delta Downs Nov. 19].
Gunnevera finished third behind Always Dreaming in the Apr. 1 GI Flroida Derby prior to his Kentucky Derby effort.
“Going into the race I thought Always Dreaming was the horse to beat,” said Sano. “We'll go to the Preakness to try and win the race, not to try and beat [Always Dreaming].”
Gunnevera is scheduled to van to Pimlico Saturday.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
