Photo Gallery: Kentucky Derby hopeful Shirl’s Speight prepping at Woodbine

TORONTO, August 21, 2020 – Charles Fipke’s homebred Kentucky Derby prospect Shirl’s Speight worked one-mile in 1:39.20 handily in company at Woodbine on the dirt training track Friday morning with Emma-Jayne Wilson aboard.

Hall of Fame horseman Roger Attfield trains the undefeated Speightstown colt out the Perfect Soul mare Perfect Shirl, who won the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Winner of the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on July 25 at Woodbine, Shirl’s Speight is perfect in two career starts.

Fipke tweeted on Wednesday that he “just received official word from @ChurchillDowns that Shirl’s Speight is in the 2020 Kentucky Derby!” and that “regular rider Rafael Hernandez will not be able to ride Shirl’s Speight due to pre- and post-Derby quarantine. Corey Lanerie will have the mount.”

Woodbine’s track photographer Michael Burns captured the August 21 morning session in photos below while Woodbine’s feature producer Phil McSween caught up with Attfield for comments post-work on targeting the September 5 Derby.

#TeamAttfield trainee Shirl's Speight took to the dirt this morning with @EJWilson81 ahead of his potential start in the @KentuckyDerby on September 5. #BetWoodbineTB pic.twitter.com/vqNXgh1ALj

— Woodbine Racetrack (@WoodbineTB) August 21, 2020

Roger Attfield re: #ShirlsSpeight's 1 mile drill this a.m. pic.twitter.com/BevbcJufEW

— Overskate (@Goodbine56) August 21, 2020

For more information on the 2020 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, please visit KentuckyDerby.com.