Fusaichi behaves in final Derby workout Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Fusaichi Pegasus didn't throw his rider or fall down Sunday like he did on Thursday at Churchill Downs. Instead, the Kentucky Derby favorite worked a "very satisfactory" six furlongs in 1:14 3-5 for trainer Neil Drysdale in his final workout before Saturday's Run for the Roses. He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27. "It was exactly what we asked for, it was his standard work," Drysdale said. "He behaved well this morning. He played around a little with a few bucks. This horse looks good going over the ground and I'm happy to see him doing so well." On Thursday, the fractious Fusaichi Pegasus reared up and tossed exercise rider Nuno Santos, and then lost his balance and fell. Exercise rider Andy Durnin was aboard the $4 million colt for Sunday's early morning work, and Fusaichi Pegasus ran in the company of Bodyguard, with Marcelino Olguin up. Drysdale, who also trains War Chant, said Fusaichi Pegasus' work will be primarily limited to galloping in the days leading up to the Derby. Fusaichi Pegasus, coming off his fourth straight win in the Wood Memorial, is owned by Japanese entrepreneur Fusao Sekiguchi. War Chant, second to The Deputy in the Santa Anita Derby, galloped on Sunday and will have his final Derby workout on Monday. "War Chant is strengthening all the time," Drysdale said, adding the horse has regained the weight he lost in the Santa Anita Derby. Four-horse coupling Due to common ownership, the Derby will have a four-horse coupling of High Yield and Commendable (both trained by D. Wayne Lukas) and Trippi and Impeachment (both trained by Todd Pletcher). Bob and Beverly Lewis own Commendable and are part owners of High Yield and Trippi; Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable owns Impeachment and co-owns Trippi. Wayne's workouts Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sent out his three Derby hopefuls for early-morning workouts Sunday. Commendable hit the track at 5:45 a.m. and worked six furlongs in 1:12 3-5 under exercise rider Stacey Maker. Blue Grass Stakes winner High Yield was next and went the same distance in 1:13 3-5 under Maker. Exchange Rate then went five furlongs from the gate in 1:00 under Calvin Borel in company. Borel will ride Exchange Rate in the Derby. Lukas will have at least one Derby starter for the 20th straight year. Of Exchange Rate, a disappointing ninth in the Wood Memorial, Lukas said: "I thought I had to do a little more with him because I don't think he got anything out of the Louisiana Derby and Wood Memorial. If he is doing as well as I think he is doing, he will go in." On the other two: "We are at the high point with High Yield and Commendable. I've looked around and I feel comfortable." Down the stretch Alex Solis will ride Aptitude for the first time in the Derby, replacing the colt's regular rider, Brice Blanc. |
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