Derby contenders on the track at Churchill

Union Rags waiting for the track to open after the renovation.

With the Kentucky Derby a week away from today, it was a good morning to visit Churchill Downs and take pictures of the Derby and Oaks horses. Some of the horses went out before the designated Derby/Oaks contender time of 8:30-8:45, and others haven’t shipped in yet. Here are photos of nine of the colts, and tomorrow I’ll post pictures of the Oaks fillies.

Bodemeister

Tammy Fox on Dullahan.

Liaison

Mark Valeski. Trainer Larry Jones up.

Optimizer

Prospective tossing his head.

Trinniberg

Julien Leparoux on Union Rags (and below); Michael Matz on the pony.

Johnny Velazquez breezing Went the Day Well.

Union Rags Breezes at Keeneland

Chadds Ford Stable’s Union Rags breezed a half-mile in :47 2/5 at Keeneland today, galloping out 5/8s in a minute. Under regular morning rider Peter Brette, the Michael Matz colt looked good over the Polytrack in what is expected to be his penultimate pre-Kentucky Derby breeze.

Union Rags and Peter Brette before their work.

Galloping in front of the grandstand before beginning the breeze.

The second time around, working against the clock.

Brette and Union Rags, accompanied by Michael Matz and Messaging, head back to the barn after the work.

Morning at Palm Meadows

Sunrise over the track at Palm Meadows in Boynton Beach, Florida.

"Bad Boy" waiting for a leg back up on his horse.

Three-year-old colt Went the Day Well, who will ship in to Turfway Park this weekend to attempt to give trainer Graham Motion and part-owner Team Valor back-to-back wins in the Spiral Stakes.

On the way to exercise, Union Rags stopping to scratch his knee. Peter Brette up.

Union Rags grazing after a spell in the round pen.

And Union Rags going off on a day trip to paddock school at Gulfstream Park, checking with me to be sure I got his good side.

A handsome Big Brown colt selling at the Fasig-Tipton two-year-olds in training sale, out for a walk on a quiet morning.

Two-year-old Malibu Moon sales filly getting a bath.

A two-year-old Scat Daddy sales colt showing to a prospective buyer.