Kentucky Derby Contenders Helium, Mandaloun Work at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, KY – With 3 weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, the preparation for the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) continued to heat up at Churchill Downs, where Juddmonte Farm’s Mandaloun cruised 5 furlongs in :58.80 and D J Stable’s Helium clipped 5/8 of a mile in :59.20 over a fast track last Saturday morning.

Mandaloun, the winner of the $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, worked alongside Grade 2 winner Bonny South through opening fractions of :23.40 and :46.60 before galloping out 6 furlongs in 1:11.40 and 7 furlongs in 1:25.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“I thought they both worked great,” trainer Brad Cox said. “They both worked fast but looked like they were doing it really easy.”

Following Mandaloun’s work at 5:30 AM (all times Eastern), Cox darted to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to catch his flight to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he saddled Caddo River to a runner-up finish in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Two hours later at 7:30 AM, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Helium worked alongside of stablemate Ghost of the Mambo through fractions of :11.80, :23.20, and :35.40 before galloping out 6 furlongs in 1:12. Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard Helium while Declan Carroll rode the workmate.

“Everything went as smoothly as we could’ve drew it up,” trainer Mark Casse’s local assistant David Carroll said. “He came in from Florida on Wednesday and has been doing very well since.”

Helium arrived with stablemate and fellow Kentucky Derby runner Soup and Sandwich, who breezed Sunday morning.

Godolphin’s early Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality galloped at 6:30 AM Saturday. He’s scheduled to work 2 times prior to the Derby.