Preparations are in full swing as several young thoroughbreds gear up for their next big races. Among them, a promising colt named First Resort is making strides under the guidance of trainer Eoin Harty. On Tuesday morning, this Uncle Mo progeny completed a four-furlong workout at Turfway Park in an impressive 51.2 seconds. This performance placed him seventh fastest out of ten horses covering the same distance. First Resort is set to compete in Saturday's John Battaglia Memorial, an event that offers valuable qualifying points towards the Kentucky Derby 2025.
In recent weeks, First Resort has demonstrated consistent improvement and versatility across various tracks. His most notable achievement came in his last race when he secured victory in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club, earning him 10 crucial points toward the Kentucky Derby. With only two wins from four starts, this colt has already garnered attention, being listed at odds of 60-1 in Las Vegas Derby futures. His workouts have been equally impressive, including a five-furlong run in a bullet 59.4 seconds just eight days ago.
Meanwhile, other contenders are also showing promise. Curvino, trained by Peter Miller, completed a three-furlong sprint at Oaklawn Park in 37.4 seconds, ranking seventh among fourteen horses. This workout follows a strong performance five days earlier where he covered five furlongs. In his latest race on January 26, Curvino finished second in an allowance race over 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn.
Another notable colt, McDude, under the supervision of trainer John Ortiz, clocked a four-furlong time of 48.4 seconds at Oaklawn Park, placing seventh among ninety-eight horses. This was his first workout since his last race on February 7, where he also placed second in an allowance race over the same distance. These rigorous training sessions reflect the dedication and hard work put in by both trainers and horses as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
The upcoming races will undoubtedly be filled with excitement and anticipation. As these young athletes continue to hone their skills, they not only strive for personal success but also bring pride and joy to their trainers and fans. The journey of each horse showcases the spirit of perseverance and determination, embodying the very essence of what makes horse racing such a beloved sport.