Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 3:44 pm |
Come back: Top news
Updated: April 24, 2024 at 6:14 p.m
Forever young at Churchill Coady Photography
As Derby week approaches, the morning work tab at Twin Spiers was well attended on Wednesday, but one Derby entry went further than the others.
Susumu Fujita is undefeated Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) took six furlongs in a time of 1:19.60 on a fast course. With jockey Ryusei Sakai on board, the colt posted fractions of :14.80, :28.80, :42.60, :55.20, 1:19.60 and seven furlongs in the ratio of 1 :33,60. He was joined for the last half mile by cuff candy (Candy cart ride {Arg}), an unraced 3-year-old filly for trainer Dale Romans.
“Thanks to Dale Romans (for providing the coxswain) we were able to do exactly what we wanted to do this remote (from the Derby),” Ryusei said through an interpreter.
As usual, Forever Young warmed up in the half-hour race during the first harrowing break of the morning before starting his work slowly and finishing with a final quarter-mile of :24, 40. Intern Yoshito Yahagi also visited the starting gate after the working session.
“The gate was no problem,” said the jockey, who missed riding in last year's Derby. Continue (Jpn) (Drefong) was scratched a few days before the race. “He came to the front gate at all the places he ran.”
Forever Young, winner of the GIII Saudi Derby and GII UAE Derby, is expected to have another in work next week. However, Ryusei will not be on the ship as he will return to Japan for a bike ride this weekend.
Next … Pletcher, Brown, Cox
As for the Derby preparation schedule heading into the weekend, trainer Todd Pletcher plans to get to work severity (City of light) on Friday morning with John Velazquez in action.
While coach Chad Brown is expected to take the field on Saturday morning Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) And Domestic products (Practical joke). Brad Cox will do the same with his trio of Derby hopefuls, Encino (City of light), Seize freedom (Structure) And Just one touch (justification).
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This story was posted in Top news and tagged 150th GI Kentucky Derby, Brad Cox, Seize freedom, Chad Brown, Derby practice, Domestic products, Encino, severity, Forever Young (Jpn), Race, Japanese-bred Colt, Just one touch, Sierra Leone, Todd Pletcher, Yahagi Yoshito.
