Gemologist, Take Charge Indy and El Padrino galloped at Churchill Downs ahead of the Derby
Three major contenders of the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby arrived from South Florida to take part in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on 5 May, 2012, and the trio included two serious contenders from the barn of veteran trainer Todd Pletcher, Gemologist and El Padrino, while Patrick Byrne flew in Take Charge Indy to get used to the Churchill Downs dirt track before the race.
The undefeated, Gemologist, has a serious chance of winning the Derby, as he drew post number 15, alongside the front wheeler Hansen.
The WinStar Farm owned son of Tiznow, out of Mr. Prospector mare Crystal Shard, Gemologist is coming off a victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at about 1 1/8 miles over the Aqueduct’s dirt track, defeating the likes of Alpha, and Teeth of the Dog, who finished second and third, respectively.
Bred in Kentucky, Gemologist showed that he is itching to go for a run in the Derby when he came out on the track for the first time since arriving at Churchill Downs under the watchful eyes of trainer Todd Pletcher.
He made quite the striking presence after galloping out 1 1/14 miles, but El Padrino wasn’t in the mood as he gave out a vibe that he didn’t want to be out there doing what he was doing.
“Both Derby horses got over the ground really well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Gemologist looked like he was loving it out there. Padrino is not the most enthusiastic galloper of all time, but I thought he showed good energy.”
The Kentucky bred 3-year-old A. P. Indy colt, Take Charge Indy took the Churchill Downs track for the first time as well, and galloped out 1 5/8 miles under jockey Calvin Borel for trainer Patrick Byrne.
“Calvin hadn’t been on him since the Florida Derby,” Byrne said. “He said he’d love to get on him, he just got bonded with the horse again.”
It wasn’t the end of the gallops for Take Charge Indy, as Byrne said that both will go on the track and do the same leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
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