There was a lot of activity Friday morning, April 30, at Churchill Downs, as horses are being prepared for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Most of the workers on Friday were 3-year-old fillies for the Oaks May 6, but one of the Derby favourites, ZANDON, came out for Chad Brown and he had an impressive move.

Zandon (Upstart – Memories Prevail by Creative Cause) powered through 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 under a strong hold, galloping out 6 furlongs in 1:12.80. Owned by Jeff Drown of Minnesota, Zandon won the Blue Grass Stakes with a strong rally and is going to take a lot of betting support in the May 7 Derby, the 148th edition of the famous race.

See video below:

As for the Oaks fillies, the tough filly NEST (Curlin) had a smart prep in company for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Unbeaten fillies Kathleen O and Echo Zulu had easy gallops while HIDDEN CONNECTION (Connect) was hard held through most of her workout at four furlongs in 50.20 but she was allowed to gallop out strongly. Two more Pletcher trainees had workouts. GODDESS OF FIRE and SHAHAMA looked solid in their prep in company although Shahama needs a scratch to draw in.

# Horse Points Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings Career Earnings

*14 can run

1 Kathleen O. 150 $335,730 $379,730
2 Echo Zulu  130 $1,665,000 $1,720,000
3 Nest 120 $573,550 $623,050
4 Yuugiri 114 $508,050 $543,610
5 Desert Dawn 108 $328,000 $378,400
6 Nostalgic 101 $153,500 $235,400
7 Venti Valentine 94 $237,500 $416,250
8 Secret Oath 80 $436,707 $590,167
9 Goddess of Fire 62 $154,375 $209,375
10 Turnerloose  60 $516,700 $547,300
11 Hidden Connection  57 $369,525 $399,525
12 Cocktail Moments  52 $145,100 $214,560
13 Candy Raid  51 $154,320 $191,400
14 Cleopatras Charge 50 $182,250 $195,406
15AE  Shahama 50 $180,000 $223,484

 

Tags: 148th Kentucky Derby, 148th Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs, Messier, Sam-Son Farms, Tim Yakteen,

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