If Not Derby, Preakness Likely for Rock Hard Ten

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Edited from Churchill Downs reports
With former jockey Corey Black up, Rock Hard Ten worked seven furlongs in 1:27 3/5 after the renovation break at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Rock Hard Ten stands 29th on the graded earnings list of Derby hopefuls for a race in which the top 20 get in.

"We will just wait and see what happens," trainer Jason Orman said. "If we don't get in, we will probably go to the Preakness (Stakes, gr. I). I would have to alk to the owners and see what they want to do, but I would think we would stay here and train rather than ship right away."

Even if Rock Hard Ten won Saturday's Derby Trial (gr. III) on Churchill's opening day card, the son of Kris S. still may not have enough graded money to crack the top 20.

"If he ran there and made enough money, he probably would not run in the Derby," Orman said. "I don't think we will run in there; I think we will just wait, but at the last minute they could change their minds. We will probably give him a breeze next Monday and then see what happens. I just think three races in a month is too much for a young horse, especially when you are probably going to run the toughest race of your life in the next start."

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