Charles Fipke’s Tale of Ekati worked a half-mile in :49.20 April 17 at Keeneland. Trainer Barclay Tagg described the move as “a little maintenance work after his race.”
The Tale of the Cat colt upset champion War Pass in the April 5 Wood Memorial (gr. I) in his last start, and currently ranks third on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) graded stakes earnings list with $738,000. Tagg confirmed that Eibar Coa will have the mount May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Tagg also reported that Big Truck continues to be pointed toward a Derby start despite a disappointing 11th-place finish in the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I). The Hook and Ladder colt, winner of the March 15 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), sits in 20th position on the graded stakes earnings list. He would be ridden by Javier Castellano in the Derby.
Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Pyro, 10th in the Blue Grass, is “doing good,” according to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. Blasi said plans currently call for the colt to work at Keeneland April 21 and ship to Churchill Downs the following day.
Blasi also reported that Kodiak Kowboy, fourth in the April 6 Lafayette at Keeneland, will make his next start in the $100,000 Derby Trial at Churchill April 26.