The main action on April 28 for the May 7 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) occurred more than 2,000 miles west Churchill Downsas Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Taiba put on his only work before Run for the Roses.
Drayden Van Dyke was on the son of Gunman who worked on the team with the 4-year-old US Admiral through six feathers in 1:12 4/5 at Santa Anita . Park.
Work of the day from @santaanitapark—Taiba (Outside), 1:12.80, and US Admiral, 1:13.00, working 6 Furlongs on April 28, 2022, for coaches @timyakteen. Taiba is expected to have the next match in the match @KentuckyDerby. pic.twitter.com/75TsOBadPs
– XBTV (@WatchXBTV) April 28, 2022
“It’s very simple,” said coach Tim Yakteen, who took over executive duties for Hall of Fame coach Bob Baffert, while Baffert was suspended for positives after the first-place finisher’s race. the late 2021 Kentucky Derby Medina Spirit, who was subsequently disqualified.
Yakteen added: “He worked 3/4 from column 5/8. “It was a typical Taiba work and we accomplished what we wanted. I caught him in 1:12 3/5 and finished in 1:26. We’re fine.”
A $1.7 million purchase at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s selection of 2-year-olds training in South Florida, Taiba raced under Zedan Racing Stables, the former owner. by Medina Spirit. Mike Smith got a call during the Kentucky Derby.
Taiba, undefeated in two career starts, will attempt to become the first horse since Leonatus in 1883 to win the Kentucky Derby in just his third start. After passing his first time with a 7 and a half minute sprint in the first week of March, the chestnut pony got his share and made his two-legged debut in the Santa Anita Derby on Sunday. April 9 1/8. He handled the Derby scoring task with great professionalism, catching up to the pace early before knocking out his steady teammate Messier in the 2 1/4 long tally.
Both Taiba and Messier secured a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby with 100 and 40 points, respectively.
Yakteen intends to be the runner-up in the Derby Santa Anita Messier April 29, with both ponies scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Indianapolis May 1 and then move south to Churchill. Messier is another former Baffert student who has been moved into Yakteen’s care so he can qualify for and run in the Derby.
The Messier is bred in Ontario, owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable and Siena Farm, last kicked off April 23 on Santa Anita oval. The Empire Maker colt, a two-time classification winner, drilled 5 times at: 59 4/5 in his first work since the Santa Anita Derby.
“My general feeling is that both horses are doing very well (after the Santa Anita Derby), Yakteen said. “Both were very professional and made my job easy.”
