Sweetnorthernsaint and Jazil, a pair of contenders for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) that have yet to arrive at Churchill Downs, turned in important workouts on Friday in Maryland and New York.Joseph Balsamo and Ted Theos' Sweetnorthernsaint, runaway winner of the Illinois Derby (gr. II), breezed five furlongs in 1:00 flat over a "fast" track at Maryland's Laurel Race Course. The work by the Michael Trombetta-trained son of Sweetsouthernsaint was the fastest of 25 at the distance.Jockey Mario Pino was aboard for the move, which was moved up a day because of Trombetta's concerns about rainy weather.
"He got a lot out of the work," Pino said. "He made an awesome move finishing up. I think we got everything out of him that Mike wanted."Trombetta has informed Churchill Downs officials that he plans to ship the 3-year-old gelding to the Louisville track by van on April 25. Sweetnorthernsaint is to work over the Churchill Downs strip on April 29.Shadwell Stable's Jazil, runner-up in the Wood Memorial (gr. I), worked four- furlongs on Friday at New York's Belmont Park. The son of Seeking the Gold, who is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, covered the distance in :50 3/5.