Florida Derby runner up Wildcat Red completed his final major workout prior to the Kentucky Derby on Sunday morning. He worked alone on a fast track going five furlongs in 1:04 2/5 with jockey Luis Saez aboard.
Wildcat Red is based at Florida’s Gulfstream Park so this was his first look at the Churchill Downs track. His trainer Jose Garoffalo said he’s got to get used to the new surface:
“The track seemed a little bit heavy. He has never been on a track like this.”
Garoffalo said that he was happy with the workout despite pedestrian times:
“Luis told my assistant that he was happy with the work and the horse did what I expected. He used to be very anxious but now he can relax as he goes longer. He is more mature and steadier. I am not worried about the time.”
Before arriving at Churchill Downs Wildcat Red had some jockey changes–nothing new for a horse that has worked under a variety of riders during his career. Originally Rafael Bejarano was going to ride Wildcat Red in the Kentucky Derby but last week trainer Garoffalo announced that a change had been made to Luis Saez. Saez became available after Cairo Prince was taken off the Derby trail due to injury. Saez was aboard Cairo Prince for his signature win in the Holy Bull Stakes and rode Wildcat Red to victory in the Fountain of Youth. Saez is one of four jockeys that Wildcat Red has had during his three year old -–Joel Rosario, Javier Castellano, and John Velazquez were the others. Garoffalo had these comments about the move:
“I spoke to the owners shortly after learning that Cairo Prince was out of the Derby and they decided they wanted Saez back on their horse for the Kentucky Derby. Luis was always one of our first options since he already knows the horse so well. In fact he’ll be on a plane to Florida tonight to work the horse for us in the morning, and will likely be there again next week for his final work at Churchill Downs.”
The Kentucky Derby is set for next Saturday, May 4. 2014 Kentucky Derby betting will begin in earnest later this week with post positions and morning line odds going up Wednesday.