Wood Winner Resilience Breezes With Champion Just F Y I At Churchill Downs

On a gorgeous Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, trainer Bill Mott’s barn was bustling with activity as Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman’s Wood Memorial (Grade 2) winner Resilience (4F, :50.20) along with George Krikorian’s Ashland (G1) runner-up Just F Y I (4F, :50) retuned to the work tab to continue their preparations for the 150th running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively.

The accomplished duo began their work together at 7:30 a.m. ET after galloping about one mile. Just F Y I worked to the outside of Resilience and began one-length behind. By the quarter-pole, Just F Y I moved about a length in front of Resilience but, by the wire, the duo finished together. Resilience finished his five-furlong gallop out in 1:02.80 while Just F Y I completed five furlongs in 1:03.40, according to Churchill Downs Clocker John Nichols.

“I thought (Resilience) had a great trip in the Wood Memorial,” Mott said. “I thought Johnny (Velazquez) rode him great. He might have gotten a little jammed up on the first turn but got clear down the backside. When he asked him, he responded and he finished up well. The best part is he looked good visually.

“The entire family of this horse has been very accomplished on the racetrack. Part of the family is Courageous Cat, who I trained for a Grade 1 win (in the Shoemaker Mile). The owners have been in the breeding business a long time and Resilience is just the result of their program.”

Resilience was bred in Kentucky by Pam and the late Marty Wygod, the parents of Bushnell. This would be the first starter in the Kentucky Derby for the Wygod family along with Waldman, a longtime partner of the Wygods.

Resilience and Just F Y I are stabled in Mott’s Barn 19.