Despite breezing a half-mile in :47 3/5, the fastest time of the day over a muddy track at Churchill Downs on April 26, Interactif likely will not be entered in the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Trainer Todd Pletcher, who was having a busy morning with the announcements that Devil May Care would be entered in the Derby rather than the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and that Rule would not run in the classic, said it was a good workout for the son of Broken Vow . Working in tandem with Collect the Fee, Interactif started a length and back finished a length in front while galloping out five furlongs in 1:01 4/5. The :47 3/5 for the four furlong breeze was the fastest of the day among 45 horses working that distance.
Pletcher said he and owners Alain and Gerard Wertheimer would decide Tuesday, April 27, whether to enter the Derby. He said, however, that they were leaning against a Kentucky Derby start because the colt appears to be a better turf horse than a horse that prefers dirt. Two of Interactif’s three career wins have been on turf, in the With Anticipation Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Saratoga and Bourbon Stakes (gr. IIIT) over yielding turf at Keeneland last year. He also ran third, only three-quarters of a length behind winner Pounced, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT) and was second this year in the Hallandale Beach at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Gulfstream Park.
In his two most recent efforts, Interactif was second to Sidney's Candy in the San Felipe (gr. II) at Santa Anita and fourth as the 3-1 favorite in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, both on synthetic surfaces.
With the developments of April 26, it is likely Pletcher will have four Kentucky Derby starters – Devil May Care, Mission Impazible, Super Saver, and Discreetly Mine.