Coady Photography
The UAE Derby (UAE-II) winner Lani was scheduled to breeze five or six furlongs this morning at Churchill Downs, but showed a reluctance to train and wound up breezing just three furlongs with a slow gallop-out.
Equipped with blinkers and with regular jockey Yutaka Take in the saddle, Lani galloped once around the one-mile track and started his work at the three-eighths pole, getting the initial furlong in :14 flat before finishing in :23.40 for an official time of :37.40. He continued past the wire for another furlong, which was timed in :13.20 seconds, but according to a Churchill Downs press release, Lani didn’t run much farther:
“Lani pulled up at the three-quarters pole, backtracked to the mile chute where he walked for a few minutes before returning to the barn. ‘He was a little shy to start, but after the quarter pole we got a good gallop for two furlongs,’ Take said via interpreter Keita Tanaka, the agent for the owner. ‘It was supposed to be five furlongs, but he wanted to stop. Back home in Japan he has done that before, so it is not a concern.'”
“‘His temperament is that he is not willing to run always,’ Take said. ‘If he does (want to run), he has a big chance (in the Derby).’ And when would Take know his charge wants to run? ‘After the gate,’ Take said with a laugh.”
