[Kasept]

Kentucky Derby clocker: Mor Spirit sizzles, then simmers
By Mike Welsch

Churchill Downs
Weather: Clear
Track: Fast Temp. 71

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Trainer Bob Baffert arrived in town on Monday and wasted little time getting down to work, sending out a handful of his stakes horses to breeze at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning, including key Kentucky Derby contender Mor Spirit, who zipped five furlongs over a quick track under clear and relatively balmy conditions during the special Derby/Oaks training session shortly after 8:30 a.m.

With regular rider Gary Stevens aboard, and equipped with blinkers, Mor Spirit, who runs with his head down, was very eager going to the pole outside workmate Jimbo Fallon, a 4-year-old maiden whose only start came one year ago. The duo blasted away from the 4 ½-furlong marker, clipping off eye-catching splits of 22.38 for the opening quarter, 33.93 for three-eighths, and 46.11 completing a half-mile at midstretch. Mor Spirit held a short advantage at that point, but never could put away his partner. He wearied noticeably during his closing furlong which took him through the finish line and into the clubhouse turn. The final eighth was in 13.68 seconds and completed a 59.79 drill. Mor Spirit held a head advantage at the point, the pair remaining pretty much on even terms galloping out in 1:13.21 before pulling up seven furlongs in 1:27.32.

Baffert simply commented, “He worked well today,” a short while later. “He’s never been a real willing worker. It seemed like Gary didn’t go too hard on him. This track is pretty quick, but it was good for him, he got into it. He likes the surface.”

Having never seen Mor Spirit work in person before this morning, it’s tough to be too harsh a critic, although it’s never a positive sign seeing a horse especially keyed up breaking off for a work, or wearying at the end while unable to run away from a lightly raced maiden as was the case here. Expect to see Mor Spirit back for one last breeze prior to the Derby early next week.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY WORKOUTS: Video analysis, news, and times

While Mor Spirit turned in the only recorded work of the morning, several of his likely rivals on Derby Day were given the opportunity to really stretch their legs, including south Florida invader Majesto, Arkansas Derby runner-up Suddenbreakingnews, the Japanese invader Lani, and Mo Tom, who continues to impress on a regular basis.

Majesto was among the first of the Derby horses on the track and he turned in a lively, open gallop during which he covered six furlongs from the five-eighths pole past the wire in 1:22.83. An impressive-looking animal, Majesto has continued to improve with experience and appears to relish the relatively glib going of the local surface as compared to his deeper, cuppier home course at Gulfstream Park West.

Suddenbreakingnews was also allowed to open up a bit this morning, and he too galloped at a lively pace for an extended period, looking strong with his ears pricked coming down the lane the final time.

Lani has made a huge turnaround over the last 48 hours, turning in a high-spirited gallop for the second consecutive morning after struggling over the course on Sunday. As was the case on Monday, he cruised at much better than a two-minute-mile pace for the majority of what was a two-mile gallop as a prelude to a scheduled work on Wednesday.

Mo Tom has made a favorable impression each of the last three mornings and certainly seems to be carrying a very good fitness level. He came down the stretch, from the quarter pole to the wire, in 27.15 while picking up the pace of his gallop the second time around once again today.

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out his two Derby hopefuls for the first time locally and both looked well. Tampa Bay Derby winner Destin got a little warm, but has a tendency to do so, and seemed to be gazing around a bit at the new surroundings despite galloping with blinkers on. Wood winner Outwork also had his head cocked out some coming down the lane, but was striding out extremely well moving through the wire and into the clubhouse bend.

There is heavy rain in the forecast over the local area this evening with more precipitation predicted over the next several days, all of which could disrupt workout schedules into the weekend.