Trainer Todd Pletcher has spent the past couple of days at Keeneland checking out Carpe Diem and other runnners that have produced a meet-leading seven victories with three stakes wins.

Carpe Diem is one of five Pletcher horses with a chance to compete in the Kentucky Derby. Three of the others – Materiality, Stanford, Itsaknockout – are in Florida. Madefromlucky, fourth in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby, arrived at Keeneland Monday after flying into Louisville.

Carpe Diem has been going out to the track when it first opens for training or at the end of training hours.

“He has looked very good,” Pletcher said. “He has handled the moisture in the track very well, and I applaud Keeneland for having a terrific track.”

Pletcher plans to work Carpe Diem at Keeneland on Sunday morning. The trainer said a ship date to Churchill Downs isn't set.

“He likes a quiet environment, and he is doing so well here. We will play that by ear,” said Pletcher, who added that he plans to ship the remainder of his Derby prospects to Louisville next Tuesday along with Longines Kentucky Oaks hopefuls Angela Renee, who is at Keeneland, and Eskenformoney, who is in Florida.

“Angela Renee will work here in the morning,” Pletcher said of the runner-up in the Central Bank Ashland. “My plan is to be in Florida for Eskenformoney’s work Friday, the colts on Saturday and then be back here Sunday for Carpe Diem.”

Edited Keeneland release
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