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Carpe Diem scheduled for weekend work

Last updated: 4/15/15 5:03 PM

Carpe Diem is doing well at Keeneland in the run-up to the Derby, according to Pletcher

(Keeneland/Coady Photography)

Trainer Todd Pletcher has spent the past couple of days at

Keeneland checking out the barn that has produced a meet-leading seven victories

with three stakes wins.

Included in the Keeneland contingent is Blue Grass

(G1) winner Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), one of five Pletcher horses who have a chance to appear

in the $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2 at Churchill Downs. Three of the

horses -- Materiality (Afleet Alex), Stanford (Malibu Moon), Itsaknockout (Lemon

Drop Kid) -- are in Florida. Madefromlucky (Lookin at Lucky),

fourth in last Saturday's Arkansas Derby (G1), arrived at Keeneland Monday after

flying into Louisville, Kentucky.

Carpe Diem has been on the track when it first opens in the

morning or at the end of training hours.

"He has looked very good," Pletcher said. "He has handled the moisture in the

track very well and I applaud Keeneland for having a terrific track."

The conditioner plans to work Carpe Diem Sunday morning with the ship date to Churchill

to be determined.

"He likes a quiet environment and he is doing so well here.

We will play that by ear," said Pletcher, who plans to ship the remainder of his

Derby prospects to Louisville next Tuesday along with Kentucky Oaks

(G1) hopefuls Angela Renee (Bernardini), who is at Keeneland, and Eskenformoney

(Eskendereya), who is in

Florida.

"Angela Renee will work here in the morning," he said

of the Ashland S. (G1) runner-up. "My plan is to be in Florida

for Eskenformoney's work Friday, the colts on Saturday and then be back here

Sunday for Carpe Diem."

In addition to the Derby and Oaks, Pletcher plans to be a

major player in most of Churchill's other 11 graded stakes that weekend.

"We have not ruled out the Woodford Reserve (Turf Classic [G1]) with Jack Milton

(War Front)," Pletcher said of the Maker's 46 Mile (G1) victor. "(Madison [G1]

second) Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat) is headed to the La Troienne (G1)

and (Ben Ali [G3] winner) Protonico Giant's Causeway) for the Alysheba (G2).

"The Alysheba would be a prep for the Stephen Foster (H. [G1]) to be run June

13. He likes Churchill and either we run back on short rest or wait two months."

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