Let’s Go Stable’s El Padrino worked five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 Sunday
morning at Palm Meadows for trainer Todd Pletcher as he is kept on edge
for a start in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on
Sat., Mar. 31 in a field led by early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Union
Rags.
“It was a very good work with a strong gallop out,” said Pletcher of
the chestnut colt by Pulpit. El Padrino was an impressive allowance
winner over the Gulfstream track on Jan. 29 and shipped to New Orleans
to win the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds last out on
Feb. 25.
A possible Florida Derby prospect worked Sunday morning at
Gulfstream as Klaravich Stable and William H. Lawrence’s News Pending
was timed five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 for trainer Dale Romans, who is
weighing several options for his next start.
A son of Harlan’s Holiday, News Pending has run three times at the
Gulfstream meet, breaking his maiden on turf on Dec. 22, finishing
second in a turf allowance on Feb. 5 and finishing second at 27-to-1
behind Union Rags in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Feb.
26.
Another notable workout on the Palm Meadows tab Sunday morning was
turned in by Stronach Stable’s undefeated 4-year-old filly Awesome
Feather breezing an easy five furlongs in 1:03 1/5 for trainer Chad
Brown as she continues preparation for her next start in the $150,000
Rampart Stakes (G3) on Florida Derby Day.
The daughter of Awesome of Course was brilliant winning the $300,000
Sunshine Millions Distaff of Jan. 28 by 5 ¾ lengths in her first start
over the Gulfstream track and first start since winning the Gazelle
Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct in late November by more than five lengths.