Semoran Beats Rain and Clock

Beating the rain that started falling late in the morning and continued all afternoon, several Kentucky Derby horses worked out Sunday at Churchill Downs, and the best time of the day was 1:26 2/5 for Semoran, who went seven furlongs for trainer Bob Baffert.

“He was awesome,” Baffert said. “That’s the best he’s worked since before he won the Remington Park Derby.”

Another notable workout was Victory Speech’s five-furlong 1:00 2/5, which included a closing quarter-mile in a snappy 23 seconds. Other Wayne Lukas-trained horses to work were Editor’s Note, :59 4/5, and Honour And Glory, 1:00 3/5, both for five furlongs. Halo Sunshine worked seven furlongs in a slow 1:31 3/5.

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With the field for Saturday holding at the capacity of 20 horses, the rain is supposed to continue today and Tuesday, which could play hob with training plans.

Temperatures will be mild, with a clearing in the forecast for Wednesday.

The three off-tracks for the Derby in the last 25 years have all come since 1989.