"The Mig" Flies in for Bob Black Jack Workout

Richard Migliore made it Louisville just in time this morning from California to work Santa Anita Derby runner-up Bob Black Jack, a colt who's Derby slot was assured yesterday when filly Proud Spell was pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks.

"Got an 11:30 red eye out of California and this was as early as I could get here," he said. "I booked so late I was stuck back in coach between two guys and didn't get a lot of sleep. But it went okay. Got to get this done, then go grab an 11:30 (a.m.) flight right back.

All told "The Mig," a California-based veteran jockey, spent about two in a half hours in Louisville, making it to the track about 9:30 a.m. when he registered a four furlong work aboard the colt in 48.60. The colt registered split times of :12.20, :24.20, and :36 and galloped out to five furlongs in 1:02.

"He went good," Miglore said. "I think we're in good shape."

Bob Black Jack set the world record at 6 furlongs in the Sunshine Millions Dash, although that record did come this year on a Santa Anita cushion track surface that had been scraped down to the sand to avoid drainage problems. I often joke that the record came on concrete from the Santa Anita parking lot.

Trainer James Kasparoff, said he was going to work the horse longer, but decided at the last minute to cut the work a bit shorter.

"I was going to work him five-eights, but it just seemed safer to go four," he said. "We're only five days out from the race and he just went a mile and one eight (in the Santa Anita Derby) and put in a good (six furlong) workout at Santa Anita last week. I decided I didn't want to be too aggressive with him. This will be fine."

No news on how soon"The Mig's" is expected to arrive in advance of Derby Day -- it's probably safe to bet that it's not another red-eye.