Doug O’Neill makes I’ll Have Another turn in his final work for the Kentucky Derby at Hollywood Park
Trainer Doug O’Neill said that he wants his Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby winner, I’ll Have Another, at the Churchill Downs track on the 29th of April, 2012, six days before the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby on 5 May, 2012.
J. Paul Reddam owned 3-year-old colt will be at the Churchill Downs for the first time in his career, however, his connections are very well aware of the fact that how difficult it is for some horses to adjust to the track at Louisville, and that is why
I’ll Have Another completed his massive preparations for the 2012 Kentucky Derby on 27 April, 2012.
Currently stationed at Betfair Hollywood Park, the Flower Alley colt turned in his final work there when he drilled six furlongs over the Hollywood’s cushion track, and was timed 1 minute and 13 4/5 seconds.
"He worked fantastic," trainer Doug O'Neill said afterward. "We're pumped up and heading to Kentucky tomorrow."
I’ll Have Another’s work recorded as the seventh fastest out of twenty two over the same distance on the morning.
Bred in Kentucky, he is out of Arch mare Arch’s Gal Edith, and he started off his move at the eighth pole, whole stable mate Liberal Arts broke well in front of him.
I’ll Have Another completed his move when he reached the half mile pole at the back stretch, and then he galloped out for a mile which the clockers credited his with 1 minute and 41 seconds, as the colt looked ready to go throughout his work.
"He couldn't have worked any better," O'Neill said. "We just want to keep going forward."
Doug O’Neill has only saddled a horse once in his entire career in the Kentucky Derby, and that too was back in 2007. I’ll Have Another will be the conditioner’s second try at the Run for the Roses.
Back in 2007, Doug O’Neill had two long shots Great Hunter and Liquidity, who finished 13th and 14th respectively, but he returns to the biggest arena with one of the leading contenders, which must be a great feeling to have.
"There's no better feeling in the world," O'Neill said. "It really is the greatest two minutes in sports."
Tags: