Midwest Thoroughbred

Kentucky Derby Barn Notes for May 3 

A lot is happening on the backstretch and in the morning at Churchill Downs with Thursday prior to the race being a key day during Derby prep week.

Alpha is a favorite of many off his performance in the Wood, where he ran into a lot of early trouble before finishing second. The Bernardini colt, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, went to the track for what was called a routine exercise.

Bodemeister, the ML favorite at 4-1, galloped 1-1/2 miles Thursday morning for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Drawing post 6, Bodemeister was electric while winning the Arkansas Derby 9-1/2 lengths.

Creative Cause created a bit of a stir with a second day of walking following a Monday workout. Trainer Mike Harrington said that this practice was part of the colt’s routine.

Daddy Long Legs, in from Ireland, will be out of quarantine today, walked the shedrow Thursday. Winner of 3 races in 5 starts, Daddy Long Legs will be ridden by Colm O’Donoghue for trainer Aiden O’Brien.

Daddy Nose Best is described by some here as the “wiseguy” horse. Trainer Steve Asmussen along with stablemate Sabercat, visited separately the starting gate and paddock.

Dullihan galloped a somewhat easy 1-1/2 mile on Thursday for Dale Romans before visiting the paddock in the afternoon.

Gemologist, the winner of the Wood, galloped 1-3/8 miles with El Padrino galloping the same distance. Gemologist is 5 for 5 lifetime and draws the tricky 15 post.

Hansen schooled in the gate and galloped 1-1/4 with I’ll Have Another, who drew post 19, not galloping on Thursday.

Take Charge Indy will be ridden by fan favorite Calvin Borel. He didn’t gallop on Thursday. Union Rags galloped 1-1/4 miles and comes out of the 4 post. He’s second favorite at 9-2 on the ML.

Went the Day Well, the Graham Motion trainee, galloped under one mile after standing in the starting gate.