Burnham Square Leads Kentucky Derby Workers on Damp Day

After observing a damp Churchill Downs main track drying out the morning of April 26 after rain the preceding day, several trainers called audibles in training plans of their Kentucky Derby (G1) starters. However, five Derby runners did make their way on the worktab Saturday, including Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Burnham Square. With jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle, the Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred recorded a five-furlong work on a good track at 7:25 a.m. ET. Following his previous breeze April 19 in which he was strong on the backstretch ahead of the work, trainer Ian Wilkes paired him with outrider Greg Blasi to keep the gelding more relaxed. Breaking away on his own at the 5 1/2-furlong pole, Burnham Square was clocked in :59 1/5, third fastest of 33 at the distance Saturday. "He was nice and settled next to the pony," Hernandez said. "Ian wanted to see him pick it up as he went along, and he did." The son of Liam's Map posted splits of :12 2/5, :24 2/5, and :36. He galloped out 1:12 for six furlongs and 1:26 1/5 for seven furlongs. "He got to the eighth pole, I had him on my watch in (:48 2/5)," Hernandez said. "I kind of leaned forward on him and didn't really ask him—just let him lengthen his stride, and he came home the last eighth in (:11 1/5)." That displayed quickness at minimal asking led to a slightly faster work than Wilkes had planned, but the trainer was pleased with how well he moved within himself. "I was looking for a minute, but who's getting picky?" Wilkes joked. "He galloped out strong and full of energy, didn't take a deep breath coming off the track. He's ready." Burnham Square's focus will turn to schooling in the final days before the May 3 Derby, both at the gate and in the paddock. During a winter in Florida in which he won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and finished fourth in the Fountain of Youth, he appeared to be a bit anxious in the pre-race festivities before loading in the gate. Wilkes said those problems appeared to rectify themselves when he ran in the Blue Grass at Keeneland. "He was very calm, very confident about what he was doing," Wilkes said. "You hope that horse shows up to the Derby." Machado Thinks Dirt will be No Issue for Final Gambit When the track had dried out a bit more and been upgraded to fast at 9 a.m. ET, trainer Brad Cox sent his pair of Derby runners, Final Gambit and Tappan Street, to the track for their final works. Jockey Luan Machado was aboard as Final Gambit rallied off five furlongs in 1:01, 17th of 33 at the distance. The Not This Time colt has never raced on dirt before, having debuted on the turf before three starts on Turfway Park's all-weather surface, but Machado was impressed with the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner's movement Saturday. "He's showing that he's comfortable (on dirt). He's working well, even a little bit better than he was working at Turfway," Machado said. "I'm very positive about the surface. I do feel like he can take it. I do believe he will prefer the dirt over anything else. He will be the kind of horse that will run on anything." When initially breaking off from the pony at the five-furlong pole, Final Gambit appeared a bit headstrong as he drew alongside his workmate, but ultimately settled in. Machado said that was a normal sign from Final Gambit's "goofy" personality. "He's a feeling-good horse," Machado said. "He always plays and likes to show off, so it's just a healthy guy doing what he likes, and he likes to play a little bit." He also likes to run. On the gallop out, Machado asked the colt for a bit more, and he immediately began putting distance on his stablemate. "He feels great, I was very happy with the way he worked," Machado said. "He seems very happy too, even after working, just playing around and being goofy." Unfortunately Tappan Street emerged from his five-furlong work in :59 3/5 with a condylar fracture and was declared out of the race. READ: Tappan Street Out of KY Derby With Condylar Fracture Render Judgment, American Promise record Final Breezes With Tappan Street's defection, that opens the door for Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing, and Rocket Ship Racing's Render Judgment. Before he officially drew into the field, the Kenny McPeek-trained Blame colt recorded the second fastest five furlongs of the day, :59, while the track was still rated good. He was ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, who will ride the colt in the Derby. The track was rated sloppy when American Promise emerged from the D. Wayne Lukas barn at 5:20 a.m., but that did not slow him. The Virginia Derby winner posted five furlongs in :59 2/5, fourth fastest of the day, while working solo under jockey Nik Juarez. Workout for Journalism Postponed Due to Wet Track Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism, who galloped Saturday rather than breeze, is now scheduled to work April 27 on an anticipated fast surface. Dry weather is forecast Saturday and Sunday. Speaking of the decision to postpone the colt's key workout by a day, Aron Wellman, president and founder of co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, said, "Just erring on the side of caution; we got a lot of wet weather yesterday. The track had not completely dried out; they harrowed it just before the break." Wellman noted that trainer Michael McCarthy walked the track on the evening of April 25 and on Saturday morning, and also sent some horses to the track for training before opting to postpone the breeze by a day. California-based jockey Umberto Rispoli, who will ride Journalism in the Derby, traveled to Louisville to be on-site and available had Journalism breezed. Exercise rider Marc Witkowski instead galloped the Curlin colt. "He took the 'redeye' last night from California out here to work this morning, but he's going to head back to ride the (Saturday) card at Santa Anita, and if he can get back to be here tomorrow morning, great. If not, he'll be in good hands" with a substitute rider," Wellman said. A winner of four straight route races after a debut third-place in a sprint, Journalism races for Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Bob LaPenta. Interests from Coolmore are also lessees. Upon his retirement, he will enter stud at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud.