International Contenders Show Spirit in Monday Morning Derby Training
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The international flavor of this year’s Kentucky Derby was on full display Monday morning as Six Speed, Wonder Dean, and Danon Bourbon—qualifiers via the Japan and European/Middle East points systems—took center stage during Churchill Downs’ 7:15 a.m. special training session.
Six Speed Maintains Fitness
Six Speed, who finished second to Wonder Dean in the Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan, recorded the morning’s only official Derby work. The colt breezed four furlongs in a measured :49.07, closing his final quarter in approximately :24 without serious urging. He galloped out five-eighths in 1:01.70 over a surface that lacked the speed of recent days.
International Runners Display Eagerness
Wonder Dean and Danon Bourbon both challenged their exercise riders with enthusiastic displays. The UAE Derby winner Wonder Dean showed abundant energy, galloping near the outer rail while maintaining a strong clip down the homestretch and around the clubhouse turn. He finally settled after completing one circuit of the mile oval, just 72 hours removed from Friday’s serious six-furlong work.
Danon Bourbon demonstrated his stamina credentials emphatically. The Japanese runner, whose three victories span distances from nine furlongs to a mile and three-sixteenths, galloped a mile in 1:56.03 from the half-mile pole—well under a two-minute pace—before continuing nearly another full circuit at a marginally slower tempo.
The Puma Stretches Out
The Puma enjoyed his first genuine stretch at Churchill without recording an official work. He accelerated from the three-eighths pole at slightly faster than two-minute lick down the lane and through the clubhouse turn before gradually easing through a 1½-mile gallop. Trainer Gustavo Delgado adjusted plans to bring jockey Javier Castellano for Tuesday’s planned session, citing weather concerns and moving the session to Monday instead.
Domestic Runners Update
Renegade, arriving early Saturday morning from Todd Pletcher’s Palm Beach Downs winter base, galloped a strong mile and a half under firm restraint after completing his major Derby preparation in Florida.
Emerging Market continues impressing following Friday’s sharp half-mile breeze, displaying excellent form during routine gallops since arriving from South Florida last week.
Brad Cox’s trio—Commandment, Fulleffort, and Further Ado—emerged for the 5:15 a.m. first set, jogging a mile in their initial return following Saturday’s strong workouts.
Oaks Filly Shows Spirit
Kentucky Oaks contender Dazzling Dame provided morning entertainment, briefly taking charge from her rider through the wire and around the clubhouse turn. She reeled off splits in the low :13s before settling midway down the backstretch.
The morning session highlighted the international depth of this year’s Derby field while domestic contenders maintained their preparation routines ahead of Saturday’s Run for the Roses.
