What began as a routine Derby/Oaks training session at 7:30 a.m. livened up considerably when Bolt d'Oro came barrelling through the finish line and around the clubhouse turn, unintentionally blowing out 3/8's in :38 and change from the wire around to the five furlong pole on my watch. This sudden burst of energy was in sharp contrast to what the Santa Anita Derby runner-up has shown here the past few mornings when he's looked very stiff and awkward during the early stages of his gallops before gradually loosening up some the further he travels.
Justify had another very good morning and it's hard to find anything not to like about the undefeated colt just 24 hours removed from the big event. His rider having to take a firm hold throughout to keep the Derby favorite from doing too much for a second consecutive morning.
Those waiting to see Mendelssohn had to wait around nearly an hour after the other Derby horses had left the track. That's when trainer Aidan O'Brien sent out his Kentucky based quartet, the group going through a similar routine as the previous morning, jogging a little over a mile then reversing direction and galloping a mile while picking up the pace a bit more today. Mendelssohn made a very good appearance, did not get nearly as warm as on Thursday and came down the stretch on his proper lead, changing smoothly at the wire, after remaining on his left lead throughout yesterday.
My Boy Jack got back to work this morning after walking the shedrow on Thursday. Free Drop Billy showed good energy during his routine gallop today. Magnum Moon continues to make a good appearance along with the rest of the Todd Pletcher crew. Blended Citizen not likely to crack the starting lineup, but he made a nice appearance as well, while Solomini was on his best behavior of the week this morning.