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'He's going to win it' Confident Frankel thinks his colt has the Aptitude to win
Posted: Thursday May 04, 2000 08:11 PM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Trainer Bobby Frankel has no doubt how his Kentucky Derby hopeful, Aptitude, will fare in Saturday's 1 1/4-mile race. "He's going to win it," the Hall of Fame trainer said as he looked in on the colt in the barn Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. "I think he's going to win every race he starts." He hasn't run often, making only five career starts. Since breaking his maiden with a New Year's Day victory at Santa Anita, the son of A.P. Indy and grandson of Derby winners Seattle Slew and Northern Dancer has finished a half-length behind victorious Red Bullet in the Grade III Gotham Stakes and a hard-charging third behind Derby favorite Fusaichi Pegasus and Red Bullet in the Grade II Wood Memorial. Despite the lack of experience, Frankel said the horse is ready to run. "I don't worry about that," he said. "We've got him where we think he needs to be." The colt worked four furlongs in 47 1/5 in his final Derby workout Wednesday under jockey Robby Albarado, who has been aboard Aptitude in both of his Churchill works. "I guess it was good; I don't really know what's a good workout," Frankel said. "How do you really know what the horse gets out of it? People put too much into the workouts." Alex Solis will have the mount Saturday. But Albarado, who will ride the Bob Baffert-trained Captain Steve in Saturday's race, said the 20-1 shot could surprise a lot of people "He impressed me last week and again [Wednesday]," Albarado said. "He galloped out around the turn really nice and came off the track bouncing both times. He is a consistent finisher and will definitely be a threat." Frankel said Aptitude came away from the Wood in good shape and has taken to the track at Churchill Downs. The Juddmonte Farms colt will start from the No. 2 post between 20-1 Anees and 30-1 Wheelaway. "We'll be at the back anyway," Frankel said. "He's a late charger who's going to make up a lot of ground. He's been closing faster than anybody in his last few races."
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