B. Wayne Hughes and Biscuit Stable's Atswhatimtalknbout breezed five furlongs in :59 2/5 in his final preparation for next Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
With California-based jockey David Flores in town for the work, the son of A. P. Indy was timed in fractions of :12 3/5, :25, :36 3/5, and :48 3/5.
Trainer Ron Ellis said he equipped the colt with a pair of "cut-back" blinkers, which he will wear in the Derby.
"He couldn't have gone any better," Ellis said of the colt's work in the company of a stablemate. "It was the first time he has passed a horse without paying attention to him. We will run him in the scaled back blinkers in the Derby. He likes the track. Now we'll just have to hang on for six days."
"He felt very strong," Flores said. "I was very happy with the way he worked." In reference to the colt's fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, Flores said, "His mind is much better than it was at Santa Anita."
"I just think he was a little off - a little under the weather that day," the trainer stated of the Santa Anita Derby. "And, though he's going to wear the blinkers Saturday, I don't think they're the key for him. I don't think the lack of blinkers got him beat in the Santa Anita Derby, and I don't think him wearing them will make him win the Kentucky Derby. I think we've just got to get him back to feeling as good as he was when he ran that really good race (beaten a nose) in the San Felipe. If we do that - and he's giving us signs that he is feeling good - then I think we'll be all right. Still, I don't think the blinkers are going to hurt him, so he'll
go with them this time."
In another Derby-related development, trainer D. Wayne Lukas named Cornelio Velazquez to ride Coolmore Lexington Stakes winner Scrimshaw in the Derby. Velazquez, who is represented by veteran agent Richard DePass, will be making his first Derby appearance.
"I am not concerned about it being his first Derby," Lukas said. "I think he is a good strong rider who finishes well."
