Brother Derek Satisfies

The track was muddy and the jockey was a bit late arriving at Churchill Downs after taking a red-eye flight from Los Angeles, but Brother Derek trainer Dan Hendricks said he was satisfied Monday after the probable favorite’s final work in preparation for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

A son of Benchmark seeking to become the first California-bred to win the Derby since Decidedly in 1962, Brother Derek turned in a four-furlong work in 49.20 seconds and galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.

“I told [jockey Alex Solis] I wanted to go in 49 [seconds], and he went 49.1,” Hendricks said of his own clocking.

“[Brother Derek] has never trained or raced on a wet surface, and I was a bit worried when I saw the track early this morning. But the tracks here dry fast, and after looking at it after the [renovation] break, I decided to go ahead.

“All things considered, it wasn’t too bad, and I was glad to get the work in and just let him go to strong, long gallops from here. He’s plenty fit and this was basically just something for him to stretch his legs, seeing as how it has been a week since his Santa Anita work.”

After the cautious workout, Hendricks said his horse is handling the increasing commotion well. “I haven’t told Brother Derek he’s one of the favorites, so he’s pretty cool,” he joked.

In the only other works at Churchill on Monday in preparation for the Derby, Private Vow covered five furlongs in 1:00 and Storm Treasure in 1:00.40.

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Mister Triester will not run in the Derby after a third-place finish in the Derby Trial at Churchill on Saturday, opening a spot in the 20-horse Derby field for Flashy Bull, who had been No. 21 on the graded-stakes earnings list.

Another son of Holy Bull, Sacred Light, is still hoping to qualify for the field but was No. 23 and is second on the waiting list behind Sunriver, trained by Todd Pletcher.

“I’d love to get him in,” Sacred Light trainer David Hofmans said. “I think with his running style, he has a chance. He’s one of the few real closers, and we’re hoping to get a chance to participate.”

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Three California-based horses are scheduled to be among the last to arrive for the Derby when they ship from the West Coast today.

Wood Memorial winner Bob and John and Santa Anita Derby runner-up Point Determined, both trained by Bob Baffert, had their final works at Santa Anita on Sunday, and will arrive today, as will A.P. Warrior, the third-place finisher in the Santa Anita Derby. A.P. Warrior is trained by John Shirreffs, who saddled 50-1 longshot winner Giacomo last year in his first Derby.

Baffert’s third Derby entry, Sinister Minister, already is at Churchill after remaining in Kentucky after his Blue Grass Stakes victory April 15.