Louis Lazzinnaro and partners’
Homeboykris breezed four furlongs in :48.40 under exercise rider Joe Deegan Wednesday morning much to the approval of his trainer,
Richard Dutrow.
“I couldn’t be happier. He went really good.
Jockey Joe was really happy with him,” Dutrow said. “He said he got
over (the track) the right way – a very good breeze for him. It’s all
good.”
The gelded son of Roman Ruler turned in splits of
:11.80, :23.80 and :35.60 on his way to the :48.40, after which he
galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20.
“I think the track was fine for him today. It was
safe enough. It was still a little wet, but I took a shot to breeze
him,” said Dutrow, who postponed the gelding’s final tune-up on Tuesday
because of a muddy track. “I think we’re OK. He’s cooling out good. The
rider is as happy as can be with him, so I’m as happy as I can be with
him.”
Homeboykris, who won the Champagne Stakes (GI)
last year, is unraced since finishing second in an allowance race at
Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27.
“He’s fresh; he’s ready. If he’s got it in him, if
it’s within him, he’ll run a big race. If he doesn’t, he won’t, but
he’s ready to run,” said Dutrow, who saddled Big Brown for a victory in the 2008 Kentucky Derby.
Ramon Dominguez will have the mount on Homeboykris.