Went The Day Well prepares well two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby
Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion are trying to do an Animal Kingdom this year as well going into the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on 5 May, 2012.
Animal Kingdom, who won the 2011 edition of the Kentucky Derby tread the similar path last year that is being used for Went The Day Well, and so far it is going exactly the same way.
Animal Kingdom won the Grade 3 Vinery Spiral Stakes and went on to win the Derby, and with a move akin to that of Animal Kingdom, Went The Day Well even won his crucial prep race, this year’s Grade 3 Vinery Spiral Stakes which makes things all the more assuring for his connections.
The New York bred son of Proud Citizen, Went The Day Well kicked off proceedings with a fourth place finish in his debut race at about 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park on 4 February, 2012.
Cut back in distance, Went The Day Well thrive over the 1 1/16 mile maiden test over the same venue, track. He defeated Tiz Yankee in second and Rodgerson in third, with the winning time of 1 minute and 44.78 seconds on 3 March, 2012.
The big test came when Went The Day Well competed in the Grade 3 Vinery Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park at about 1 1/8 miles and won it convincingly.
Since then, Went The Day Well out of mare Tiz Maies Day by Tiznow, has been preparing for the biggest race of his short career, and recently breezed six furlongs in wet, rainy conditions at Keeneland and covered the distance in 1 minute and 14 2/5 seconds in company with Crimson China.
“He did it easily; it was a nice work,” Motion said. “I like the fact he is a little laid-back about his work. He is still a little green.”
“I feel really good about running this horse in the race,” Motion said. “He is a really improving horse and I think he belongs in the race.”
If he goes on to win the Kentucky Derby, than it will have to be said that Graham Motion pulled a rabbit out of the hat, twice, in two years.
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