The only Kentucky Derby hopeful to work yesterday morning at Churchill Downs was one of the favorites, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby winner Vicar, who had his first drill since finishing third in the Blue Grass Stakes April 10.
With jockey Shane Sellers up, the son of Wild Again went a sharp five furlongs in 1:01.1, galloping out another eighth of a mile in 1:15.
”He did it easy,” trainer Carl Nafzger said. ”He got a good blow. That’s all that counts is if he did it right. You don’t want them to go 1:04 around here.”
”I just know I’m sitting on the right horse or one of the right horses,” Sellers said. ”We have as good a chance as anybody.” *The wheels of justice are grinding slowly in the Valhol investigation. The gelding finished first in the Arkansas Derby, but his jockey, Billy Patin, is accused of using an illegal electric ”buzzer.”
Until the matter is resolved, the $300,000 winner’s share of the purse has been put in escrow. Without those earnings, Valhol could be denied a spot in the Derby starting gate.
”My attorney is sitting on go,” owner James Jackson said. ”We’re prepared to do whatever is necessary (to get into the Derby).”
Although Valhol’s trainer, Dallas Keen, received a letter from the Arkansas Racing Commission that the purse is being withheld pending the investigation, Jackson said he has not been notified. ”I was always told that purses went downhill from the owner to the trainer and jockey,” Jackson said. ”Maybe they think the trainer pays everyone.” *Worldly Manner and Aljabr, the two colts owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Stable who’ve been training in Dubai, arrived at Churchill yesterday after leaving quarantine in Lexington.
Jerry Bailey is set to ride Worldly Manner, but the jockey for Aljabr is still up in the air. Kent Desormeaux was on tap to get the mount but reconsidered when trainer Bob Baffert indicated his filly Excellent Meeting, who’s been ridden by Desormeaux through her career, might run for the roses.