Pletcher Hoping El Padrino Makes Derby Field

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

Photo: Coglianese Photos

El Padrino

Trainer Todd Pletcher says he's preparing El Padrino as if the Pulpit   colt will start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I) March 31, El Padrino will need a little assistance to make the field. He currently ranks 23rd on the graded earnings list with $250,000.

Let's Go Stable's Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner turned in his first published workout since the Florida Derby at Palm Meadows Training Center April 15. He breezed four furlongs in :49.10 while working in company with 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Stay Thirsty  , who was credited with the same time,

Pletcher told Daily Racing Form, "Right now we’re going to prepare this horse as if he’s going to get into the Derby. As far as that goes, it’s out of our control.” 

El Padrino was passed by just one horse, Bodemeister  , on the earnings list after the Toyota Blue Grass and Arkansas Derby (both gr. I) were run April 14.

“I thought we had about as good a day as we could hope for on Saturday, not getting passed by too many horses on the earnings list,” Pletcher told DRF. “Right now we’re still hopeful he’ll get in.”

Pletcher said El Padrino got "a good breeze" into him and had a strong gallop-out.

El Padrino's jockey, Javier Castellano, also rides Pletcher's undefeated Gemologist  . Pletcher has named Castellano to ride Gemologist in the Derby, leaving the mount on El Padrino open for now.

• Email
• Print
• Tweet