GI Kentucky Derby contender Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) registered his first published work at Churchill Downs Wednesday going a half-mile in :49.60 (16/20).
With exercise rider Masatoshi Segawa in the saddle, Derma Sotogake went through his routine 25-minute warm-up in the one-mile chute prior to beginning his work. The chestnut colt exited the chute and began galloping around the six-furlong pole. He started to pick up his momentum around the three-furlong pole and worked through fractions of :13 and :37.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
“I am really happy with how he moved today,” Segawa said. “He felt great. We didn’t want to go too fast today, so I had to keep a strong hold on him throughout and even then he performed brilliantly. Now I can start to get really excited about Derby Day.”
Derma Sotogake, most recently winner of the G2 UAE Derby, is stabled in Quarantine Barn 1 next to fellow Kentucky Derby contender Continuar (Jpn) (Drefong). Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and owned by Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd., Continuar had his most serious training to date Tuesday at Churchill Downs when he picked up his gallop around the seven-eighths pole to about the three-eighths pole. The training was slower than a published workout, but noticeably faster than a routine gallop.
The special 15-minute training window for only Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks contenders begins Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Kentucky Derby contenders will wear a yellow saddle towel while Oaks contenders will sport a pink saddle towel.
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