Comma to the Top, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), breezed five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 over the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park May 1 in his final drill for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
“Excellent, excellent,” said trainer Peter Miller after watching Comma to the Top work in company under Patrick Valenzuela, who has the call in the May 7 Derby at Churchill Downs.
The 3-year-old Bwana Charlie gelding, winner of the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) in December, will fly east on the morning of May 3.
Comma to the Top, winless in three starts this year, owns a 6-2-0 career mark in 13 races with earnings of $778,600 for owners Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, and Kevin Tsujihara.
Valenzuela, who won the Derby on Sunday Silence in 1989, is one of seven jockeys on the Southern California circuit who have calls in the probable 20-horse lineup.
The others are Victor Espinoza on Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude, Joel Rosario on Brilliant Speed, Corey Nakatani on Nehro, Mike Smith on Twinspired, Garrett Gomez on Master of Hounds, and Rafael Bejarano on Watch Me Go.
