War Emblem Blazes Five Furlongs In :59 3/5
April 18, 2002
By, Jill Byrne

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 18, 2002) - The Churchill Downs track surface was very "fast" this morning, which tends to happen after there is a rain followed by warm temperatures and lots of sun. However, the surface does seem to have a good cushion on it, as one does not hear the horses hitting the ground hard.

Bob Baffert had his new aquisition for The Thoroughbred Corp., War Emblem, out for his first workout since capturing the Illinois Derby (GII) on April 6. With regular Baffert work rider Dana Barnes aboard, War Emblem started out galloping at the wire, accompanied by a pony. He was very hard to handle for both Barnes and the pony rider as he jumped sideways and pulled very hard at the reins. He broke off at the five furlong pole aggressively and was being hard-held through the first half-mile. At the eighth-pole, Barnes asked War Emblem to finish up strongly by slapping the reins at him and chirping; he responded well. This colt gets over the track very well, covering the ground with strong strides, evidenced by his five furlongs today in a sharp :59 3/5; he galloped out an additional eighth of a mile very well. I must admit I was impressed with the son of Our Emblem, not only in the way he worked, but also by his physical appearance - his coat looks excellent and he appeared comfortable during the entire move.

Harlan's Holiday, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (GI), was out for a strong gallop after the mid-morning break. He looked no worse for wear from his Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) victory and seems to be training the same way I saw him train all winter in Florida.

Trainer Ken McPeek's other stable star, Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, was out for a good gallop shortly after Harlan's Holiday in preparation for her Kentucky Oaks (GI) engagement. Her coat is a bit on the dull side, but it has been since I first saw her last fall, so it does not sem to affect her running. She appeared just a bit short in her stride when she started out, but warmed up well and was moving smoothly the last part of her gallop. She is scheduled to breeze Friday (April 19) morning.

Jill Byrne serves as an analyst for TVG's award-winning "The Works" program, which focuses on the morning workout activity of horses preparing for the Kentucky Derby (GI) and Breeders' Cup. Additionally, she is a handicapper for the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network (CDSN) and is a knowledgeable, hands-on horsewoman who assisted her husband, trainer Patrick Byrne, in the development of Eclipse champions Favorite Trick and Countess Diana. She is the daughter of noted show horse rider and Thoroughbred trainer Peter Howe and first started riding show horses in her native Virginia at age three; she got on her first Thoroughbred when she was 11. She went to the University of Virginia where she studied political science and has worked directly with Dosage guru Steven Roman identifying top quality horses through a race analysis system he developed. Jill and Patrick have a daughter, Devon, and reside in Louisville.

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