Page 12 - KDerbyWG_newsletter_Neat

KENTUCKY DERBY

WORKOUT ANALYSIS

By Zoe Cadman (@zoecadman) & Milie Ball (@camillayakteen)

The Kentucky Derby is such a unique race, and yet the formula for eyeing the winner
based on morning workouts remains the same, according to XBTV analyst Millie Ball:
Good energy + fluid stride + focused demeanor. Ball has been based at Del Mar this
summer, while Zoe Cadman has been railside at Saratoga. They share the duties in our
exclusive 1/ST Wager Guide workout report. Check back in our updated Wager Guide
during Derby Week for additional late workout information.
Click horse name to view the workout.

HORSE DATE TRACK DISTANCE CONDITION TIME
Tiz the Law 8/23 Saratoga 5 furlongs fast 59.47

ZOE CADMAN’S ANALYSIS: After watching Tiz the Law train every day this summer
at Saratoga, I find it hard to believe, but he’s never had a bad day. This is a horse who
seemingly is able to handle anything thrown at him. Trainer Barclay Tagg might have had
a bad day Aug. 22 when Tiz was slated to work at 8:45 am. Unbeknownst, a storm rolled
in and washed out all chances of his work. Instead, he galloped over a sealed track that
morning and looked like he loved it. He wanted to do far more than Robin Smullen would
let him. Fast-forward a day to 5:45 am on Aug. 23, and the octogenarian Tagg, who has
been here before but it’s been a long time between drinks, took no chances of a storm
and worked him under the cover of darkness. Tiz the Law broke away from the pony,
quickly settled into stride in a relaxed rhythm under restraint. He got the first three-
eighths in :35.40, and with little or no urging, completed five-eighths in :59.47 (fastest of
39), galloping out three-quarters in 1:12.80 and a mile in 1:40. It was another superb work
for a colt who showed no ill effects of the aborted work the day before. He’s truly the horse
to beat and will handle anything, come rain or shine.

Authentic 8/25 Del Mar 1 Mile fast 1:38.60

MILLIE BALL’S ANALYSIS: Authentic has never fallen short in the energy department.
He works with enough enthusiasm to warrant almost always working by himself. Trainer
Bob Baffert described his colt’s work on Aug. 19 as ‘an easy, high-cruising endurance
work’ officially timed in 1:13.40. On Aug. 25, Authentic worked a mile, alone, in racehorse
time of 1:38.60 (splits :12.40, :24.40, :36.60, :48.60, 1:00.40, 1:12.40, 1:25.20). A very happy
Baffert called it ‘a nice, even strong mile doing it the right way.’ By continuously working
him alone, it appears Bob is as focused on keeping Authentic’s mind intact to get the
mile and one-quarter distance as he is to maintain his colt’s form and fitness. Authentic
is a sound horse with a fluid stride, but I’ve never been a fan of horses that carry their
head as high as he does. However, he’s proven me wrong with every start being better
than his last. Bob has always loved this horse, and he’s validated his trainer’s confidence
so far. Racing has helped ameliorate his lack of concentration, such as the ducking in
the Sham; but even in his latest work, he switched leads mid-turn, goofing off. I wonder
if that’s the reason Mike Smith only hit him once in the stretch of the Haskell (watch the
head-on). While a spectator-less atmosphere at Churchill Downs may serve him well
mentally, the distance will pose the biggest hurdle. I am suspect of him getting the trip.
But if he misses out on Derby glory, I won’t blame his training. Tiz the Law

XPRESSBET.COM 12