Daddy Nose Best Works; Arkansas Derby Stars Set to Arrive

Apr 17, 2012 Travers Manley

Bob and Cathy Zollars’ Daddy Nose Best continued his preparation for a start in the 138^th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) with a five-furlong breeze Monday morning in 1:00.20 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Working on the outside of stablemate Hierro, the Asmussen-trained duo recorded fractions of :12.40, :24, :35.80 and :47.60 and galloped six furlongs in 1:13.80 and seven furlongs in 1:29.20. It was the fastest work of 20 at the distance.

“I thought it was a great work,” Asmussen said. “He went over the track really well and I’m glad we were able to get the work in before the rain hit.”

Monday’s work was the second beneath the Twin Spires for Daddy Nose Best since he arrived at Churchill Downs on March 28, just a few days after his score in the $800,000 Sunland Derby (GIII). The bay son of Scat Daddy breezed on his own in 1:02.40 at the Louisville track on April 9.

Asmussen noted that “if the weather lets us,” Daddy Nose Best will have two more workouts prior to Kentucky Derby 138 and they will take place at Churchill Downs on April 23 and April 30.

Bred in Kentucky by the Patricia Ann Elia Trust, Daddy Nose Best has a record of 4-2-1 from 10 lifetime starts and earnings of $633,623.

PROSPECTIVE 50/50 TO RUN IN DERBY AFTER DISAPPOINTING BLUE GRASS – John Oxley’s Prospective, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (GII) on March 10, might not point to the Kentucky Derby following a sixth-place finish in last Saturday’s $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland.

“He came out of the race in good order, but we are still discussing whether to run in the Derby,” trainer Mark Casse said. “Right now I would say we are 50/50 on whether or not to run.”

Casse is unsure when a final decision will be made for the dark bay son of Malibu Moon regarding the May 5 Run for the Roses.

“The most important thing is how he trains,” Casse said. “But even if he trains well, we won’t definitely go (to the Derby). I’ve been talking it over with Mr. Oxley and we could make the decision not to run as early as tomorrow (Tuesday). However, the decision that he would run wouldn’t come until after his next work, which will be about a week out from the race.”

Prospective’s final work will take place at Churchill Downs, where he has been stabled since March 18. The Kentucky-bred colt was the first potential Kentucky Derby starter to arrive at the Louisville track.

TOP THREE FROM ARKANSAS DERBY TO ARRIVE AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – Bodemeister, Secret Circle and Sabercat, the top three finishers from last Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (GI) at Oaklawn Park, are due to arrive at Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon via van from Lexington following a morning flight from Arkansas.

Zayat Stables LLC’s Bodemeister won the Arkansas Derby in impressive fashion by a widening 9 ½ lengths. Favored at 2.40-1, Bodemeister led every step of the nine-furlong race and secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate with the $600,000 winner’s share of the purse. He will be stabled in Barn 33 for trainer Bob Baffert.  

Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman’s Secret Circle also will be stabled in Barn 33 for Baffert. A bay son of Eddington, Secret Circle won the Southwest (GIII) and Rebel (GII) over the winter at Oaklawn prior to finishing second to his stablemate in the Arkansas Derby. Secret Circle was victorious in his lone start at Churchill Downs, the inaugural running of the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

The third-place finisher in the Arkansas Derby, Sabercat, is also due to arrive for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC son of Bluegrass Cat, recorded the biggest victory of his career in the $1 million Delta Jackpot (GIII) last November. He will be stabled with Asmussen’s other Kentucky Derby hopeful Daddy Nose Best in Barn 38. 

Expected to arrive at Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Tuesday afternoon is the Larry Jones-trained trio of Kentucky Derby hopeful Mark Valeski, Kentucky Oaks hopeful Believe You Can and reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, who is being pointed to the $300,000 La Troienne Presented by Steelcase (GII) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard on May 4. The three horses will be stabled in Barn 35.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 138^th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2012, and its Spring Meet is scheduled for April 28-July 1. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record eight times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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