Kentucky Derby: Goldencents breezes six furlongs

Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs - Goldencents, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby on April 6, breezed a slow six furlongs in 1:16.20 on a cloudy morning at Santa Anita on Thursday, never being asked for a significant effort by exercise rider Jonny Garcia.

Working alone, Goldencents started at the half-mile pole on the backstretch and worked through the stretch and to the three-quarter pole at the start of the backstretch. He went slowly through the first half-mile before quickening into the first turn.

Trainer Doug O’Neill timed Goldencents in 40 seconds for the first three furlongs and in 36 seconds for the final three furlongs.

“The one thing I didn’t want to see was for him to go fast early and be slower late,” O’Neill said. “That was pretty solid.”

O’Neill timed Goldencents galloping out a mile in “1:43 and change.” O’Neill typically works horses into the first turn, trying to replicate a stronger gallop.

“I try not to have them put too much energy into a workout,” he said. “What he did today was similar to what he does every day, just a bit quicker. I think he looks right on.”

Goldencents, who will be ridden by jockey Kevin Krigger in the Kentucky Derby on May 4, will be shipped to Churchill Downs on Saturday. In the days before the race, O’Neill plans to gallop Goldencents and does not intend to have another workout.