On Sunday, trainer Shug McGaughey said a set of blinkers has helped take Florida Derby winner Known Agenda to the next level. Also, he will likely also be added when Greatest Honour begins his final preparations for their rematch in the Kentucky Derby. Ready for more Kentucky Derby news?
Both Florida Derby winner Known Agenda and beaten favorite Greatest Honour. GH, who finished third. Eight lengths behind the winner, came out of the race at Gulfstream Park in good order and if all goes well over the next five weeks they are expected to meet for a third time in the Kentucky Derby. Known Agenda also defeated Greatest Honour in a maiden race last fall at Aqueduct.
“He came out of the race great. Had good energy today,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of Known Agenda the morning after his breakthrough performance in the Florida Derby, for which he earned a career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure.
Pletcher said he is pleased with the progression Known Agenda has made in his last couple of starts.
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“He’s much more focused. Also, professional than at the beginning of the year. The blinkers have definitely helped,” said Pletcher, who trains Known Agenda for owner-breeder Vinnie Viola. “I was happy to see him be inside. And behind horses, take some dirt and run into it. I was always confident the distance would be to his liking and it’s been interesting watching him put it all together. Part of that comes from experience and maturity and him getting used to being in those situations.”
McGaughey said Greatest Honour “was doing fine” after returning to his winter base at Payson Park. This on Saturday evening. McGaughey gave a couple of reasons why Greatest Honour did not run back to his previous two efforts in which he won the Grade 3 Holy Bull and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here earlier this winter.
“The winner ran a tremendous race. However, I also think our horse being down on the inside is really not what he wants to do,” McGaughey said. “He couldn’t get out until the top of the stretch. By that time the race was over. He didn’t run his ‘A’ race, although we’re still planning on going to Louisville unless he shows something to tell us otherwise over the next few weeks.”
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