Mylute Tunes Up for Derby With Six-Furlong Work; Arkansas Derby Winner Overanalyze Arrives at Churchill Downs

Apr 14, 2013 Travers Manley

Mylute, runner-up to Revolutionary in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (Grade II), continued his preparations for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) with a six-furlong breeze in 1:12.20 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working under Shaun Bridgmohan in company with two other Tom Amoss trainees, Mylute (ranked No. 16 on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com” Leaderboard) recorded fractions of :12.60, :24.80, :36.60, :48.40 and 1:00.20, and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25 and a mile in 1:39. He started about eight lengths behind the duo of workmates and finished eight lengths in front at the wire.

“I wanted him to pass those horses down the lane and then finish once he got by them,” Amoss said. “He did those things, so the work went well.”

Amoss said Mylute would have two more works prior to the Kentucky Derby on May 4, but they would be much easier than Sunday’s move.

“If anybody was interested in Mylute as a Derby prospect, today’s work was the one they needed to see,” Amoss said. “It was a serious work and he looked very good. Mylute is going to do nothing to impress anyone in his next two works. He’s going to work by himself and they are going to be slow and easy half-mile works. Today’s work was an indication of where we are with him and we were pleased.'

In other Kentucky Derby news, Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Overanalyze (No. 5) arrived in good order at Churchill Downs on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. (all times Eastern) after flying to Lexington and then vanning to Louisville. He is stabled in Barn 34 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

“We were hoping for an improved performance in his second start off the layoff,” Pletcher said. “We were hoping for a big effort, but he actually exceeded our expectations.”

Later on Sunday, Overanalyze will be joined in the Pletcher barn by Wood Memorial (GI) winner Verrazano (No. 2), who is on a Tex Sutton flight from New York that is scheduled to land in Louisville at 3:50 p.m.

Joining Verrazano on the flight from New York are Normandy Invasion (No. 14) and Kentucky Oaks (GI) contenders Close Hatches (ranked No. 6 on the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” Leaderboard) and Princess of Sylmar (No. 9), 1-2 finishers in the Gazelle (GII).

Princess of Sylmar will join the Pletcher string in Barn 34, Normandy Invasion will be in Barn 42 for trainer Chad Brown and Close Hatches will go to Barn 19 for trainer Bill Mott. 

Also expected to arrive at Churchill Downs from Oaklawn Park on Sunday evening are Will Take Charge (No. 9), Oxbow (No. 17) and Falling Sky (No. 19). Will Take Charge won the Rebel (GII) over stablemate Oxbow, who finished fifth in the Arkansas Derby. Both will be stabled in Barn 44 for four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Falling Sky, who finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby, will be stabled in Barn 36 for trainer John Terranova.  

In Kentucky Oaks news, Pletcher worked a trio of Oaks contenders following the morning renovation break at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Dreaming of Julia (No. 4), 21 ¾-length winner of the Gulfstream Oaks (GII), breezed a half-mile in :49 and recorded fractions of :12.80, :24.40, :36.60 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20. The four-furlong time ranked 15th of 43 at the distance.

“I thought she looked great and thought she handled the surface really well,” Pletcher said. “It was a typical breeze for her. She looked like she was in a gallop, but she went in :49. We were very happy with it. Her appetite and energy level have been great since that big performance at Gulfstream.”

Unlimited Budget (No. 3), undefeated winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII), and Silsita (No. 12), narrow winner of the Bourbonette Oaks (GIII), worked together and breezed four furlongs in :48.60 and recorded early fractions of :13.20 and :25.60. Unlimited Budget galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80 and Silsita galloped out in 1:02. The four-furlong time ranked 10th of 43 at the distance.

“I think both worked very well, especially Unlimited Budget,” Pletcher said. “She seems like she really likes the surface here and was full of run throughout the run.”

Dreaming of Julia worked under Humberto Zamora, Unlimited Budget was guided by Patti Krotenko and Silsita worked under Nick Bush.

Following the running of the Toyota Blue Grass (GI), runner-up Palace Malice (No. 13) and third Charming Kitten (No. 21) returned to Pletcher’s barn at Churchill Downs on Saturday night.

“We were happy, but it’s frustrating at the same time,” Pletcher said. “We would have loved to win, but we were very pleased with their efforts. Both came out of the race well. We’ll prepare as though (Charming Kitten) is going to get in (to the Derby).”

On Sunday, the connections for Uncaptured, Merit Man and Departing confirmed that their horses are no longer under consideration for the Derby. Also, Den’s Legacy, sixth in the Arkansas Derby, did not fly to Kentucky as originally planned. Trainer Bob Baffert sent him back to his California base.

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