4/30: DERBY/OAKS WORKOUT NOTEBOOK: R Heat, Shack star..

[Kasept]

Quick review of the morning Derby/Oaks worker session...

Without argument, best drill of the morning belonged to R HEAT LIGHTENING (:11.4, :23.0, :34.4, :48.1, out 1:01.4). Worked alone, inhaled a Buff Bradley pair that she encountered at the quarter pole, and came through lane as she pleased. Couldn't have looked better and if someone beats her next Friday, as West Coast stopwatch quipster Gary Young said, "they won't eat up."

SHACKLEFORD (:11.3, :23.0, :34.2, :58.3, out 1:12.2) flew through his work and looked excellent, with the lone knock possibly being Tammy Fox holding him a bit from getting out late down the lane. Rich Migliore was on the backside at the gap where Shackleford pulled up, and thought the chestnut was breathing pretty heavily with a slight rasp coming off, which could simply have been from the serious effort. Watch Mig on HRTV later for his expanded thoughts.

ANIMAL KINGDOM took a spin and looked surprisingly comfortable on the main track starting a couple lengths behind barnmate Meistersinger and ending a half dozen in front of him later. Went :12.2, :24.4, :37.1, :49.1, 1:13.0 and out 7f in 1:26.2. Expect a happy reaction from Graham Motion.

MUCHO MACHO MAN went in 1:01.2 under Rajiv Maragh, and not only required urging, but received a few cracks in the late stages. In his defense, he appeared a little distracted by the infield activity which included marathon runners and the usual pre-Derby bustle... TWICE THE APPEAL went early under Borel and according to Mike Welsch, 'went OK'...

The rest of the Derby players galloped, with UNCLE MO again having a great morning jog that saw him eager to do more. STAY THIRSTY continues to look fine. The pair are expected to work tomorrow, unless the weather turns particularly nasty... BRILLIANT SPEED made his first appearance on track, and was somewhat keyed up and eager. You want your Derby horse to go around relaxed, but it's not unusual to see one a little edgy their first time at any oval, let alone at Churchill this time of year. Physically, he made a grand impression... MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE went about his business and continues to look swell...

Back to the fillies, and KATHMANBLU had a very nice (1:01.4) effort with a superb gallop-out, while McPeek shedmate NIJI'S GRAND GIRL didn't fair as well in her spin, outworked by Sassy's Dream who should be kept track of coming out of this... SUMMER SOIREE worked a half in :48.1 and looked ordinary, while her former Jones barn pal JOYFUL VICTORY continued to storm round the strip lugging Larry as she has daily. LILACS AND LACE worked but I missed her... While the Derby continues to be inscrutable, the Oaks has a clear cut pecking order for me:

Most Likely: R Heat Lightening
Next Best: Joyful Victory
Best Value: St. John's River
Exotics Use: Kathmanblu
Super Add: Daisy Devine

More later!