Summer Bird worked six furlongs in 1:15 4/5 the morning of April 24 at Churchill Downs in preparation for a run at the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Trained by Tim Ice, Summer Bird is a homebred for Drs. K.K. and V. Devi Jayaraman. After breaking his maiden at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn March 19 in his second career start, Summer Bird came from 10th to finish third behind Papa Clem and Old Fashioned in the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at Oaklawn.
The move was one of only three at the distance on the day, with the other two being recorded in 1:13 1/5.
Summer Bird is a son of 2004 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Birdstone out of the Summer Squall mare Hong Kong Squall. Second in the 1990 Derby, Summer Squall won that year’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
The fastest five-furlong drill of the morning under the Twin Spires was put in by 3-year-old filly Nan, who zipped the distance in 1:00 1/5 while preparing for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
