Creative Cause trainer Mike Harrington has first Derby entry

CLEVELAND - Derby contender and winner of the Robert B. Lewis (GII) and the Santa Anita Derby runner up, Creative Cause, had his final workout on a fast track at Churchill Downs.  He went four furlongs in :47.80.  Creative Cause is the son of Giant's Causeway and is trained by Mike Harrington.  At 71 Harrington is preparing to saddle his first Kentucky Derby starter.

In other Derby news Mark Valeski has been withdrawn from consideration for this Saturday's race.  The race, which has a field limit of 20, now opens a window for D. Wayne Lukas and his horse Optimizer to obtain a post position.

Mark Valeski trainer Larry Jones claimed his colt was in good health, but his workout on Monday was not convincing.  Mark Valeski went five furlongs in 1:00.20.  The workout was not impressive enough with all the talent that is entered in this year's Kentucky Derby, proving that this is going to be a tough one to handicap.  Trainer Jones said, "We want other things from Valeski down the road.  Two weeks from now we may have that Derby horse and he may still show up at the Belmont."  "It's just not worth is right now.  I think he's going to get better."