Harlan's Holiday Drills A Sharp Five Furlongs At Churchill Downs
April 3, 2002

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 3, 2002) - Starlight Stable's Harlan's Holiday, winner of the Florida Derby (GI), tuned up for an expected run in the April 13 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) at Keeneland with a sharp work on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Tony D'Amico was in the irons as the Ohio-bred son of Harlan worked five furlongs "handily" on a "fast" track in :59.80. The move by the Ken McPeek-trained 3-year-old was the best of 15 at the distance. Harlan's Holiday was based at Churchill Downs most of last year and the work was the first since he returned to his home track on Sunday after spending the winter in Florida.

"He's the same old horse," said D'Amico. "He did it nice and easy. I smooched to him at the head of the lane one time and he responded. Kenny said he wanted a good move for him and he worked good. He did it well within himself."

"It was beautiful," McPeek said. "He'll breeze again Tuesday (April 9). We'll give him a nice sharp half-mile. He's going very good right now."

D'Amico was the regular rider on Harlan's Holiday, but was replaced by Edgar Prado before the Florida Derby. He has also lost Derby mounts on the McPeek-trained Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Repent, who is now ridden by Jerry Bailey, and Lane's End Spiral (GII) winner Perfect Drift, whose regular rider is Eddie Delahoussaye. D'Amico said the loss of the mount on Harlan's Holiday and the others was disappointing, but he's pleased to still play a role on McPeek's Derby team.

"It's tough, but the owners been good to me and Kenny's been good to me, so there are no hard feelings," D'Amico said. "You turn the page and go on with it. I'll ride more winners for Kenny down the road. I'm not the only one in this situation - it happens all the time. I think I've lost more (Derby mounts) in one week than most of them have in a couple of years, so I'm getting all the press."

Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up and Toyota Blue Grass contender Easyfromthegitgo, also worked five furlongs. The Steve Asmussen-trained son of Dehere breezed in 1:02 under jockey Donnie Meche.

Also on the Wednesday work tab: veteran sprint star Bet On Sunshine breezed four furlongs in :49...Debutante (GIII) winner Cashier's Dream breezed five furlongs in 1:04...Storm Witch breezed a half-mile in :50.20...World Trade breezed four furlongs in :49.60...Unbridled Time breezed five furlongs in 1:03.

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