Notes from Super Saver's workout yesterday
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from the Churchill Downs website:
WinStar Farms Super Saver worked three furlongs in :36.60 under jockey Calvin Borel after renovation break over a track rated as fast.
Working on his own, Super Saver notched fractions of :12.40, :36.60, out a half in :49.20 and five-eighths in 1:02. The move was fifth fastest of 29 at the distance.
I was very pleased with the work, trainer Todd Pletcher said. We are very encouraged by what weve seen since the Derby from him. Everything is good. I got him in :36 and change and out in :49.
It was real good just what we wanted, said Borel. He switched leads on key weve been working on that a little bit. I was perfect. You couldnt ask for better, I dont think.
Super Saver is scheduled to ship to Baltimore on Wednesday and Pletcher said that Super Saver would gallop at Pimlico on Thursday and Friday and have a paddock schooling session on Thursday.
Pletcher is seeking his first Preakness victory, which would give him a Triple Crown of sorts bookended by Super Savers Kentucky Derby triumph and Rags to Riches victory in the 2007 Belmont.
He is pretty unique, Pletcher said of Super Saver when asked to compare him with other horses he has trained. He is very athletic, a good mover and very efficient.
Borel said Super Saver made great progress since his runner-up finish to Line of David in the Arkansas Derby on April 10. While he had displayed sharp speed early in his career, the colt rated off the pace that day and relaxed so well on Kentucky Derby Day that he settled more than eight lengths off of a fast pace in the mile and a quarter classic. His rider believes that Super Savers new versatility will serve him well in Saturdays 1 3/16ths-mile Preakness.
Thats a great feeling, he said. Hes not like a horse like Street Sense [2007 Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up] whos got to come out the back door. He doesnt have to be on the lead if they give to me, good if they dont, no. Thats a big plus he plays with me. I can do what I want with him.
Todd did a good job with him him and his assistant [Mike McCarthy] and exercise rider [Kevin Willey]. When I rode him last year as a 2-year-old he was a pretty aggressive colt. He wanted to run pretty early, and now hes on-command. Thats what you want in these kind of races because you never know what theyre going to throw at you there might be a rabbit or two, so you want get him to relax and not to be there fighting with them and go from there.
WinStar Farms Super Saver worked three furlongs in :36.60 under jockey Calvin Borel after renovation break over a track rated as fast.
Working on his own, Super Saver notched fractions of :12.40, :36.60, out a half in :49.20 and five-eighths in 1:02. The move was fifth fastest of 29 at the distance.
I was very pleased with the work, trainer Todd Pletcher said. We are very encouraged by what weve seen since the Derby from him. Everything is good. I got him in :36 and change and out in :49.
It was real good just what we wanted, said Borel. He switched leads on key weve been working on that a little bit. I was perfect. You couldnt ask for better, I dont think.
Super Saver is scheduled to ship to Baltimore on Wednesday and Pletcher said that Super Saver would gallop at Pimlico on Thursday and Friday and have a paddock schooling session on Thursday.
Pletcher is seeking his first Preakness victory, which would give him a Triple Crown of sorts bookended by Super Savers Kentucky Derby triumph and Rags to Riches victory in the 2007 Belmont.
He is pretty unique, Pletcher said of Super Saver when asked to compare him with other horses he has trained. He is very athletic, a good mover and very efficient.
Borel said Super Saver made great progress since his runner-up finish to Line of David in the Arkansas Derby on April 10. While he had displayed sharp speed early in his career, the colt rated off the pace that day and relaxed so well on Kentucky Derby Day that he settled more than eight lengths off of a fast pace in the mile and a quarter classic. His rider believes that Super Savers new versatility will serve him well in Saturdays 1 3/16ths-mile Preakness.
Thats a great feeling, he said. Hes not like a horse like Street Sense [2007 Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up] whos got to come out the back door. He doesnt have to be on the lead if they give to me, good if they dont, no. Thats a big plus he plays with me. I can do what I want with him.
Todd did a good job with him him and his assistant [Mike McCarthy] and exercise rider [Kevin Willey]. When I rode him last year as a 2-year-old he was a pretty aggressive colt. He wanted to run pretty early, and now hes on-command. Thats what you want in these kind of races because you never know what theyre going to throw at you there might be a rabbit or two, so you want get him to relax and not to be there fighting with them and go from there.