Mullins Keeps Rolling Along

Trainer Jeff Mullins saddled King Robyn for a three-length victory in Wednesday’s meet-opening stake at Hollywood Park, but he could be excused if his thoughts wandered to another 3-year-old gelding who is about 1,800 miles away.

A week from Saturday, Mullins will be at Churchill Downs to saddle Buddy Gil, the Santa Anita Derby winner, in the 129th Kentucky Derby. King Robyn, paying $3.60 as the favorite in the $82,200 Harry Henson, was making his second start -- and scoring his second victory -- since running second, two lengths behind Buddy Gil, in a grass sprint at Santa Anita on Feb. 23.

Under the observation of a Kentucky veterinarian, Buddy Gil worked six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Churchill Downs Monday to get off the state vets’ list in California and be green-lighted for the Kentucky Derby. Buddy Gil bled lightly from both nostrils even though he was racing with an anti-bleeders’ medication in the Santa Anita Derby.

“On a scale of one to five, with five being the greatest, he didn’t even bleed a one [Monday],” Mullins said. “He did what I expected him to do ... he gave us a good, solid work.”

Gary Stevens, who will ride Buddy Gil in the Kentucky Derby, will be at Churchill Downs this Monday for the horse’s final workout before the Derby.

“I might do a little [paddock] schooling next week, but he really doesn’t need it,” Mullins said. “I think he’s bullet-proof as far as handling the crowd [145,033 last year]. Nothing bothers him.”

In his first Derby, Mullins finished 15th last year with Lusty Latin, a 22-1 longshot. “Last year, we were looking for a miracle,” Mullins said. “This year, we have a good shot.”

Trainer Bob Baffert, trying to win his second consecutive Derby and fourth in seven years, did an unusual thing, working both of his hopefuls in company Wednesday at Churchill Downs. They were almost even at the wire, Kafwain finishing seven furlongs in 1:26 and Indian Express reaching the line in 1:26 1/5. This was the first workout for Kafwain since his third-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Indian Express, in only his fourth race, lost to Buddy Gil by a head at Santa Anita.

Baffert is leaning toward running Senor Swinger, fifth in the Wood Memorial, in the Crown Royal Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 2.

With entries for the Derby due Wednesday, a field of 15 is shaping up. The probables include favored Empire Maker, plus Peace Rules, Baffert’s pair, Buddy Gil, Atswhatimtalknbout, Scrimshaw, Brancusi, Funny Cide, Offlee Wild, Outta Here, Sir Cherokee, Supah Blitz, Ten Most Wanted and Ten Cents A Shine. Two other horses, Lone Star Sky and Eye Of The Tiger, are possible entries.