Trainer Larry Jones is still debating whether to run Mark Valeski in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Even a solid workout by the colt on Monday didn't settle things. Named for a longtime friend of owner-breeder and former Kentucky governor Brereton C. Jones, Mark Valeski went five furlongs in 1:00.20, equaling the fastest of 28 drills at that distance at Churchill Downs.
Jones is playing it cautiously, waiting to see how the colt responds the next two mornings.
''I'm not going to guarantee that we're in or out,'' he said. ''Tomorrow will tell me more, and we'll know, really, on Wednesday morning when I get on him. Especially if he tries to buck me off, then he's in the (starting) gate.''
Mark Valeski was runner-up in his past two races. He missed by a nose in the Risen Star Stakes and by a half-length in the Louisiana Derby.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Derby winner, is closely monitoring the Mark Valeski developments. He trains Optimizer, who remains on the Derby bubble.
The top 20 entrants based on graded stakes earnings are guaranteed spots in the race. Optimizer is 21st on the list. A defection would put Optimizer, a modest 1 for 9 in his career, and Lukas in the Derby.
''I'd really like to see him get a chance to run,'' said Lukas, a four-time Derby winner. ''One thing about him, he's a true mile-and-a-quarter horse.''
Asmussen duo
Sabercat and Daddy Nose Best, the two Derby contenders for trainer Steve Asmussen, hit the track Monday for their final workouts.
Sabercat, third in the Arkansas Derby in his last race, went a half-mile in 48.40 seconds. Daddy Nose Best, the Sunland Park Derby winner, was clocked in 49.40 for the same distance.
Asmussen said Sabercat would have to step up his game.
''He needs to be a little faster,'' he said. ''I like his experience, but I think he's a horse that's going to have to run faster than he has to this point.''
As for Daddy Nose Best, Asmussen hopes to maintain the colt right where he is.
''He's put in some good works over the racetrack and we just want to keep that rhythm with him and keep him happy,'' he said.
Asmussen is winless with 10 previous Derby starters. Nehro (second last year) and Curlin (third in 2007) were his only runners to finish in the money.
Asmussen, who won his 6,000th race in November, trained three consecutive Horse of the Year champions in Curlin, a two-time honoree, and the filly Rachel Alexandra.
On the clock
Creative Cause and Liaison also worked Monday.
Creative Cause, second by a nose in the Santa Anita Derby, appeared to have retained his edge with a swift half-mile in 47.80 seconds.
''It was perfect, in my book,'' trainer Mike Harrington said. ''I wanted him to show he was on his game, and he did it fairly easily.''
Trainer Bob Baffert was encouraged by Liaison's prep of 1:00.80 for five furlongs.
''Today, he looked more like a Derby horse than he has in the last couple of months,'' said Baffert who also sends out Bodemeister, one of the Derby favorites.
