PADDY O’ PRADO TURNS IN SCORCHING WORKOUT AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

While much of the attention heading into Kentucky Derby week has been focused on current favorite Eskendereya or the Bob Baffert trained Looking At Lucky, another possible winner may have caught the attention of horse racing enthusiasts.  On Friday morning, Paddy O’ Prado turned in a sensational workout on a sloppy Churchill Downs track completing five furlongs in a sizzling 58.44 seconds.  That represents the best time of 21 Derby hopefuls that have worked out at Churchill Downs in advance of ‘The Run For The Roses’.

Paddy O’Prado was one of four horses to brave the rainy weather and sloppy track to work out on Friday.  Florida Derby winner Ice Box, trained by Nick Zito, Ice Box, went a half-mile in 46.38.  Blue Grass Stakes winner Stately Victor and Dean's Kitten, the winner of the Lane's End Stakes completed five furlong workouts at the training facility adjacent to Churchill Downs.  Both turned in times just in excess of one minute.
 
Speaking to the media after the workout, an obviously pleased Romans gave his thoughts on his horse:

"That was pretty spectacular. He worked good and galloped out great. It's time to start getting a little bit excited, the way he trained today."

Paddy O’Prado had turned in his best performances on synthetic surfaces and turf, and is clearly showing that he can handle dirt as well.  Romans explained the decision to work him on turf in advance of the Kentucky Derby:

"I wanted to run him long, and at Saratoga you could go two turns on the turf. I was more interested in running him two turns than I was concerned about the surface. He's really put it all together this year. But he's always had a lot of talent. He's always trained well here. He's trained here more than anywhere else. His pedigree says he should be good on either surface. We're going into this a little bit of an unknown, but it is possible he will move up on it.”

"This is real exciting. I've been going to the Derby since I was 9. I'm 43 now. I'd like to make it a yearly event."

Paddy O’ Prado wasn’t included as part of the futures wagering, though he’d be included in the ‘Field’ at 3-1.  Following today’s impressive showing on the dirt at Churchill Downs there’s every reason to expect that he’ll be on a number of Kentucky Derby betting tickets come May 1st.