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International Star, Danzig Moon, Keen Ice work at Churchill International Star (Fusaichi Pegasus), whose victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2) completed a sweep of Fair Grounds' trio of Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races, took a brief van ride to Churchill Downs Saturday for a five-furlong work over the one-mile dirt course that will host the Kentucky Derby (G2) in two weeks. Jockey Miguel Mena was in the saddle as the New York-bred worked in company with stablemate Dreams Cut Short (Belong to Me) and covered five furlongs over fast footing in 1:01 4/5. International Star's final time for the distance ranked 34th among 58 works at the distance. His workmate was timed in 1:02 3/5. Internal fractions for International Star were timed in :12 2/5, :25 and :37 1/5 and he galloped out six furlongs in 1:15. "It was a pretty routine work for him," trainer Mike Maker said. "We were looking for a strong gallop-out and he gave it to us." After the work, International Star shipped back to Maker's regular training base at Trackside training center, which is located four miles from Churchill Downs. The colt is scheduled to return on Monday or Tuesday to take up residence in Barn 27 and train at Churchill Downs through the Derby. Danzig Moon (Malibu Moon), runner-up to Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway) in the recent Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, turned in a sizzling five-furlong breeze in :58 over a fast track in his first serious training move since the April 4 race. The Derby contender had jockey Julien Leparoux in the saddle when Churchill Downs clockers timed him in internal fractions of :11 2/5, :22 2/5, :34 and :45 3/5. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 1/5. Danzig Moon's gallop-out time for three-quarters of a mile was faster than the work turned in by fellow Derby hopeful Keen Ice (Curlin), who was timed in 1:13 1/5 in the only official six-furlong work of the Saturday training session. Danzig Moon worked in company with stablemate and Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile (G2) candidate Tepin (Bernstein), who had an identical five-furlong clocking and their moves tied as the fastest of 58 works at the distance. The swift move by Danzig Moon left assistant trainer Norman Casse, the son of trainer Mark Casse who oversees his father's stable at Churchill Downs, concerned that the colt could have done too much just 14 days out from the Derby. "We usually reserve our two-weeks-out works to be our big works and, unfortunately, I think he got a little overzealous leaving the pony," Casse said. "He's a fast horse and he worked fast, and Julien recognized that and really didn't ask him to do too much afterwards. "We know he likes the racetrack and the horse he worked with is a very, very talented horse. The horse that worked is running on Derby Day as well. We purposely worked them together because they basically have the same target: different races, but on the same day. Had he not gotten away and ran-off the first bit, the overall time wouldn't have been nearly as fast. But it's OK." Casse took a close look at Danzig Moon immediately after the work and will do so again Sunday morning. "I've already gone over him and already jogged him by hand, and we did a post-breeze scope and all those things are perfect," Casse said. "That's the important thing." Keen Ice, a closing fourth in the Louisiana Derby. broke off from the five-furlong pole. Exercise rider Tammy Fox positioned Keen Ice on the outside of the companion and guided him through fractions of :23 1/5, :35 1/5, :47 1/5 and :59 4/5. After the conclusion of the work to the seven-eighths pole, Keen Ice galloped out an addition furlong in 1:27 3/5. Keen Ice, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in September, has accrued 22 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Series from third place finishes in the Remsen (G2) and Risen Star, and his Louisiana Derby fourth. That put him No. 21 on the preference list, which meant he needed one horse to withdraw in order to compete in the May 2 classic. "We've been taking our time with this horse," trainer Dale Romans said. "I've never really squeezed the lemon and made him work fast because he's not a naturally fast workhorse. But coming into this race, he's done everything we've asked him to do. We've been hoping to squeeze the lemon the last three weeks before the Derby and have him peak to run an all-time best race on the first Saturday in May. So far it's working out well. He had a fast five-eighths work last week (1:00 1/5 on April 11) and this week he comes back three-quarters in 1:13 and change. "This is a prototype Derby horse. He's built like one -- big and strong and should be able to handle himself if he gets bumped around -- and the further they run, the better. Every race he's run, he's been closing fast. This is the first time these horses will be going a mile-and-a-quarter. He does not control his own destiny like a horse that has tactical pace and they forwardly place themselves. We're going to need a fast pace and a clean trip but if we get it then he's the type of horse that can win the Derby." American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), the reigning two-year-old champion and the possible favorite for the Derby, had an easy 1 1/2-mile gallop Saturday morning. Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez was in the saddle for the first gallop for the Bob Baffert trainee since his Monday arrival. American Pharoah rolled to his fourth consecutive win and stakes victory a week ago in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. American Pharoah galloped during the first of the 15-minute training sessions devoted exclusively to horses being pointed toward the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1). Assistant trainer Jim Barnes said American Pharoah had done well during his brief time at Churchill Downs and would continue to train during that Derby-Oaks training window that begins at approximately 8:30 a.m. (EDT) following the mid-session break for track maintenance. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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