Trainer John Terranova confirmed April 21 that Falling Sky “is a go” for a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 4 at Churchill Downs.
The Sam F. Davis Jr. (gr. III) winner is ranked 19th on the Derby leader board. But following a fourth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), his connections were on the fence about going forward.
“It was up to the owners,” Terranova said. “Right now, they are happy to point to the Derby as long as everything is going well with the horse and right now he’s great.”
Newtown Anner Stud, James Covello, and Joseph Bulger own Falling Sky, who galloped beneath the Twin Spires under exercise rider Cassie Garcea April 21. The son of Lion Heart is no stranger to the Churchill Downs surface. Prior to the Arkansas Derby, Falling Sky breezed a bullet five furlongs in :59 3/5 over the fast Louisville track.
“He worked fantastic over the Churchill surface and takes to the track beautifully,” Terranova said. “He’ll breeze next weekend on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the weather. As long as he breezes like we want him to breeze, then we’ll stay on target for the Derby.”
Jockey Luis Saez will have the Kentucky Derby mount.