Big Truck Motors Over Churchill Track

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In what trainer Barclay Tagg described as a “perfect” work, Big Truck zipped five furlongs in :59 2/5 at Churchill Downs on Monday, April 28, in preparation for the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The move by the son of Hook and Ladderwas the fastest of the day among 22 horses working the distance.

“It was just what I wanted,” said a relaxed Tagg, who won the 2003 Derby with Funny Cide. “He went the half-mile in :48 and went to the wire in :59 2/5. Big Truck is a gorgeous mover. Anybody who has ever gotten on him said it’s like floating on a cloud.”

Tagg, who is also pointing Tale of Ekati toward the 1 ¼-mile Derby, said his two contenders are different in how they move but they have similarities in they “both have good, strong finishes. They keep digging. I like that quality in a racehorse. Both are pretty nice horses.”

With three wins in eight starts, Big Truck won the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) before finishing 11th of 12 in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), contested over the artificial Polytrack surface at Keeneland. Although he did not want to criticize the track, Tagg said it was obvious Big Truck did not like it and he is throwing out the race as an indicator of Big Truck’s readiness for the Derby.

“Big Truck seemed to work well over that track, but in the afternoon it just got to him,” Tagg said.

When post positions are drawn Wednesday, Tagg said he would prefer a position between four and eight. “I am not like everybody else who wants the outside. I hope I don’t get it. I don’t want the rail either.”

Tagg said he just wanted his horses to stay sound and healthy the remainder of the week.

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