May 9, 2024

Codoy works 1:01 4/5 in advance of Blue Grass

Last updated: 4/2/10 6:49 PM








Codoy (inside) worked Friday at Keeneland in preparation for the Blue Grass
(EquiSport Photos)

Blue Grass (G1) hopeful CODOY (Bernstein) breezed five furlongs
Friday morning over Keeneland’s Polytrack with John Velazquez aboard.
Velazquez will ride the Mark Hubley colt back in the nine-furlong Blue
Grass on April 10.

Working to the inside of stablemate LARRY APPEL (Songandaprayer),
ridden by Mimi Davis, Codoy posted five-eighths in 1:01 4/5 and galloped
out in 1:14 2/5. Keeneland clockers caught Codoy in fractions of :13
1/5, :25 4/5, :37 4/5 and :49 1/5.

“The colt went very good,” Velazquez said. “I had a target in front
of him, just kinda sat there and made him work from the quarter-pole
home. He worked really, really well.”

Hubley was satisfied with Codoy’s performance in the colt’s third
consecutive work at Keeneland.

“I thought it went really well,” Hubley said, adding that Codoy always works
with another horse. “He won’t work unless he has something to go after.”

Hubley is pleased that he was able to secure the services of Velazquez for
the Blue Grass. Codoy has had a different jockey in each of his seven previous
races.

“There are plenty of good guys out there,” Hubley said, “but I’m very happy
to have (Velazquez).”

Codoy has one win in seven starts and earnings of $70,700. Last October at
Keeneland, he was second to Interactif (Broken Vow) in the Bourbon S. (G3) on
turf before running unplaced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa
Anita. The colt opened his 2010 season by crossing the finish line first in the
John Battaglia Memorial S. over Turfway Park’s Polytrack, but was disqualified
to second for interference.

In other Blue Grass news:

Trainer Mark Frostad said Friday morning that Patrick Husbands would ride
Display S. runner-up GIANT’S TOMB (Awesome Again) in the Blue Grass. Husbands
has ridden the chestnut colt in three of his eight starts and been aboard for
Giant’s Tomb’s two victories.

Giant’s Tomb galloped 1 1/2 miles Friday morning under assistant trainer Hugh
Chatman, who will also be aboard Saturday morning for the Ontario-bred’s
scheduled five-furlong work in company. Frostad plans to send Giant’s Tomb out
around 8 a.m. (EDT).

Palm Beach S. (G3) hero PADDY O’PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) galloped 1 1/2 miles
early Friday morning under Mary Doser. The Dale Romans trainee is set for a
five-furlong move on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. with Kent Desormeaux slated to
ride.

PLEASANT PRINCE (Indy King), runner-up by only a nose in the Florida Derby
(G1) last out, arrived at Keeneland from South Florida on Wednesday night and
settled in Barn 35 for trainer Wesley Ward. The sophomore has $162,500 in graded
stakes earnings, which may not be enough to earn a spot in the starting gate for
the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1). Thus, the chestnut could possibly show up in the
Blue Grass or the Lexington S. (G2) on April 17 for a chance to boost his
bankroll.

“That decision is up to the boss (owner Ken Ramsey) ultimately,” Ward said.
“Pleasant Prince has galloped the past two days and he trains well on this
track. He probably will breeze Sunday.”

“I would rather train my horse up to the Kentucky Derby,” Ramsey said Friday
morning. “We are keeping our options open.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Friday morning that his two Blue Grass Stakes
hopefuls, multiple Grade 1-placed AIKENITE (Yes It’s True) and dual Grade 3
winner INTERACTIF (Broken Vow), would work on two fronts Saturday.

“Aikenite is going to breeze at Palm Meadows and then ship to Keeneland on
Sunday,” Pletcher explained. “Interactif will work at Churchill Downs and stay
there until he ships over to Keeneland the day of the race next Saturday.”