Kentucky Derby workouts: Normandy Invasion sharp in pre-dawn drill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Normandy Invasion was one of three potential Kentucky Derby starters to work prior to the renovation break Saturday at Churchill Downs, a session that also included breezes from all four of trainer Todd Pletcher’s prospective Oaks runners led by Dreaming of Julia.

Working just minutes after the track opened for training at 5:45 a.m., Normandy Invasion was full of run approaching the five eighths pole, posting splits of 23.36 and 34.89 seconds before completing five furlongs in 58.89 and galloping out six panels in 1:12.13.

Mylute followed Normandy Invasion and breezed an easy half-mile in 50.60 with jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard before shutting down rather quickly to gallop out a slow five-eighths in 1:06.13.

Black Onyx was the last of the Derby workers during Saturday’s early session, going a half mile in 48.59 after breaking off eight lengths behind Nowhere to Hide, the 17th place finisher in the 2009 Derby.

Dreaming of Julia turned in little more than a maintenance work, restrained through a slow half mile in 50.89 before galloping out five eighths in 1:04.08.

Unlimited Budget looked very sharp, easily getting the best of fellow Oaks hopeful Silsita after cruising through a sharp five furlongs in 59.57 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.73.

Princess of Sylmar also breezed a half mile, going a bit better than Fusaichiswonderful and completing the distance in 48.88.

Seven possible Derby starters were scheduled to work after the break, five for Pletcher and both Java’s War and Frac Daddy from the barn of Ken McPeek.