Charles Fipke’s Tale of Ekati took advantage of a perfect Central Kentucky spring morning at Keeneland Wednesday to breeze five furlongs in 1:001/5, the only work by a potential Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) starter on the day in Lexington. (VIDEO) Trainer Barclay Tagg said he was pleased with the move, and planned to ship the Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner to Churchill Downs Saturday. His final breeze before the Derby is slated for Tuesday. Tale of Ekati also won the Futurity Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park last year.
In other news concerning Derby hopefuls, trainer Michael Matz said Visionaire came out of his Tuesday work in fine shape and walked the shedrow Wednesday morning. The Team Valor and Vision Racing standard-bearer will also be moving to Louisville this weekend, where Matz said he is scheduled to work Monday, weather permitting. Visionaire took the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) in March.
Cindy Jones, assistant to her husband, Larry, said that fillies Proud Spell and Eight Belles both galloped 11/2 miles Wednesday morning. Brereton Jones’ Proud Spell and Fox Hill Farms’ Eight Belles both are probable to be cross-entered in the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). They are scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs Friday and, weather permitting, will breeze Sunday.
Starlight Stables, Lucarelli, and Saylor’s Monba, victor of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), and Stonerside’s Cowboy Cal, runner-up to his stablemate in the Blue Grass, both gallped 11/4 miles Wednesday, according to Todd Pletcher assistant Tristan Barry, and are slated for breezes at Keeneland Saturday before shipping to Louisville Monday. Barry said that no determination has yet been made on whether Lexington Stakes (gr. III) winner Behindatthebar will be entered in the Derby.