Full Speed Ahead for Pletcher

- Whatever happened to that thing that Pletcher was going to decide on Keyed Entry and Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat) only after working them the Monday before the Derby? It seems as if there’s been little doubt that they’re both going in the race, even if it means that Sunriver will be shut out. Of course, we often talk as if it’s the trainers’ decisions, and that’s often not the case. Recalling remarks that Winstar’s Elliot Walden made about Bluegrass Cat’s potential as a stallion, should we really believe that they’re going to leave it up to Pletcher? Even a distant third place finish will make for good ammunition in his advertisements. Pletcher has named Ramon Dominguez to ride.

Bluegrass Cat’s half mile work in 50.80 seconds didn’t particularly impress anyone on The Works the other day, and Tom Amoss voiced skepticism that it would be nearly enough. But according to his exercise rider Luis Castillo, that seemed to be the plan. "Going to the pole, he really wanted to go. I had to take a pretty good hold of him. I didn't want him to do too much. But he is feeling very good and he likes what he's doing." [Bloodhorse]

Keyed Entry was a handful for Angel Cordero, and certainly didn’t look like a candidate for rating. He got the six furlongs in 1:12.80. Mike Welsch of the Form noted that he was very rank while exploding away from the pole...

Flew through opening fractions of 22.92 and 35.34, came a bit to hand while angling to the middle of the track out of the turn, and appeared to tire nearing the wire. He completed his final eighth in 13.10 and galloped out seven-eighths in 1:26.08. Must settle better early to have any chance on Saturday.

I can’t help but feel that if it was up to Pletcher, he would choose Sunriver over the other two, and I would agree. His work on Saturday was very impressive. His rider barely moved on him at all; Amoss noted the “quiet hands.” Welsch observed that workmate Harlington was under moderate pressure in a vain attempt to keep pace. And Cordero has taken to calling him "my Derby horse." He’ll definitely find a place on my tickets on Saturday should he get in. It just PISSES me off to see horses like Seaside Retreat and Flashy Bull taking up space. And Bluegrass Cat for that matter!

- Balance completed her work for Friday’s Oaks with a six furlong move in 1:11.60 at Hollywood Park on Friday. Frank Lyons on TVG called her a “mortal lock.”