GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial hero Wicked Strong (Hard Spun) breezed a half-mile in :49.62 in his first work since that victory yesterday over the Belmont training track. He was clocked in splits of :12.19 and :35.76 and galloped out five panels in 1:02.84 in this prep for the GI Kentucky Derby May 3.
Conditioner Jimmy Jerkens was pleased with the work of what will be his first Derby starter.
“He did most of his work on the turns, which is what I wanted,” said Jerkens. “I thought it would keep him from working too fast. He eased up a little bit in the stretch and then picked it before the wire. It was just what I was looking for.”
After breaking his maiden, Wicked Strong was third in the GII Remsen S. last November, but failed to factor in his sophomore debut in the GII Holy Bull S. Jan. 25. He was fourth in a Gulfstream allowance Feb. 22 before putting in a powerful late run to capture the Wood Apr. 5.
“He's a little bit on the light side, but I don't see him any lighter after running that hard and that tough a race,” said Jerkens. “I didn't think he lost a pound and I'm really happy about that.”
The bay will have one more work at Belmont Thursday or Friday of next week before shipping to Louisville.
“He's never been on a plane, and he's been up and down to Florida twice [on a van],” said Jerkens. “I'm not sure if he'll go the day after he works, or two days after. We'll have to see.”
Wicked Strong will breeze once at Churchill Downs a few days days prior to the Derby.
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