Kentucky Derby Workout NOTES

April 22-26, 2021

Kentucky Derby Workout NOTES

April 9-18, 2021 (Please scroll down)

Please note that some videos, mostly from Santa Anita, are linked from xbtv.com. To view them, you may be required to click the Log In link in the upper right corner of that site, then log in or create an account with a username and password (which is what I did) in order to see the videos. You do not have to deposit money in order to create an account.

--Dick Downey

April 26

Brooklyn Strong five in 1:00.80 H (1/2) PRX
We have no details about this workout, but we do note it was accomplished "handily." Video is unavailable
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Midnight Bourbon five in 1:02.40 B (14/15) CD
He breezed solo under exercise rider Wilson Fabian with initial splits of 24.40 and 49.60. he galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.20. Strictly a routine maintenance work from the Asmussen barn. Midnight Bourbon was put under stout restraint through the turn and finallly settled into the rhythm that was desired. His ears were pricked in the gallop-out. Nothing flashy, but a good work. Video


April 24

Essential Quality five in 1:00.40 B (8/29) CD
At Churchill Downs, Essential Quality breezed outside and off the hip of Spa City all the way. He ran through early fractions in 12.80, 24.80, 48.20. That second quarter-mile went in 23.40, and he finished up the work proper in 12.20. He was out six furlongs in a leisurely in 114.60 -- and well out-galloped by Spa City. Trainer Cox said later in the day the reason Spa City is used as a workmate because he's really tough in the mornings (adding that they call him "morning glory" because he his work isn't reflected in the afternoons). Initially I was surprised that Essential Quality was out-galloped, in addition to being pulled up earlier than Spa City. After all, last week they galloped out together to the track kitchen. After giving it more thought, my conclusion is that last week's move was designed to be the major one, while today's breeze was designed for maintenance. Video

Highly Motivated five in 1:00.80 B (11/29) CD
Highly Motivated breezed under exercise rider Peter Roman outside Southern District, a maiden with the same owner, pretty much together to the wire. A nice gallop-out followed with Highly Motivated pretty much on his own, ears pricked and a happy horse at the end, followed by a solid pat on his neck. Initial fractions were 25.20 and 36.60. He was out six in 1:14.40, seven in 1:28.40. Trainer Brown said he was pleased that the colt got over the track well. He appeared to be sincere when he said a big part of the work occurred when Highly Motivated came off the track in shut-down mode. This work was all good. Incidentally, Brown said, without naming names, that he'd seen several good workouts by Derby horses. Video

Hot Rod Charlie six in 1:13.60 (2/4) SA
Just before the first race at Santa Anita, Hot Rod Charlie worked under Flavien Prat. O'Neill showcased Nyquist the same way at Keeneland before he won the Kentucky Derby. Initial splits were 24.46, 48.94 and 1:00.90. 'Hot Rod' started out two lengths behind workmate Chasing Fame (a maiden claiming winner in his sixth start, timed for five furlongs at 1:01.60) and was set down when he was one length back at the quarter-pole. He assumed command at the top of the stretch. At the wire, Hot Rod Charlie was in front about three lengths with Prat sitting fairly chilly and Chasing Fame's rider pushing him on big time. Chasing Fame's work ended at the wire, while Hot Rod Charlie ended his workout at the seven furlong pole. Chasing Fame had little left for the gallop-out. Santa Anita timer Dane Nelson had Hot Rod Charlie galloping out seven furlongs in 1:27.43. He was pulled up in front of the huge RUNHAPPY letters midway on the far side of the backstretch. Next stop: Churchill Downs the following day. Jockey Prat said he "loved the way he went. He went really easy, and he went a solid three quarters, with a good gallop out." It was a good workout. Video

King Fury five in 1:00.20 B (6/29) CD
King Fury worked solo with Brian Hernandez, Jr. on board. They began in 12.80, 25.20, 36.80 and 48.40. Out six furlongs in 112.80, seven in 126.60. This is a good-looking, expensive horse. He was light on his feet walking over and made a good visual impression. He worked with with his head extended and ears pricking back and forth. The gallop-out was well done, too. He can be endorsed off this workout. Video

Like the King 1:01.00 B (9/28) KEE
He went under exercise rider Julio Garcia in company with 4-year-old Artie’s Princess, the 2020 Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s champion female sprinter. Like the King started two lengths in back and edged clear at the wire. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.40. Trainer Ward said he looked a lot smoother this week than last week, that last week he was "kind of on the bridle." Video unavailable

Mandaloun five in 1:00.00 B (4/29) CD
At Churchill Downs, Mandaloun breezed with Florent Geroux up. He made up about eight lengths on workmate Joe Frazier, a 3yo Keeneland allowance winner, before they got to the wire. He was timed for five furlongs in 1:00 after splits of 23.20, 35.60 and 47.60. He galloped out six furlongs energetically in 1:12.60 and seven in an eased-down 1:27.20. Jockey Geroux said he has a big stride and was full of himself. Very well done. Video

Rock Your World five in 59.20 H (3/67) SA
Rock Your World worked with exercise rider Cerapio Figueroa aboard. He went five furlongs in 59.20, with stablemate Best Chance (1:00.00), a 4yo allowance runner that appears to be improving lately. Fractions are not available. Rock Your World started out a neck behind the workmate, eased ahead in the turn, and was on even terms at the top of the lane. The workmate's rider used his whip in the stretch and Rock Your World strode away to lead by three lengths at the finish line. The gallop-out belonged to Rock Your World, who was not really gearing down all that much early in the backstretch when the video stops. Trainer Sadler he "breezed very well", that it was "kind of a repeat of last week, and that he didn't want to "do too much" because "he’s right where he wants to be.” I believe that trainer Sadler is a matter-of-fact type not prone to hyperbole, and that the work did go well. Video

Super Stock five in 1:01.20 B (16/29) CD
At Churchill Downs, Super Stock breezed in a typically Asmussen-barn moderate fashion outside a runner from Derby 146, Max Player (1:01.20). Per track clockers, early fractions were 12.80, 24.60, 36.40. He was out six furlongs in 1:14.60 and seven in 128.00. Super Stock has been galloping with draw reins, something Todd Pletcher used to control Always Dreaming's out-of-control gallop habit before the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Presumably, trainer Asmussen uses them for the same or a similar reason. But Super Stock didn't work with draw reins, and he didn't run off either. He rated just outside Max Player throughout the breeze, and they were together in the gallop-out, which went up toward the top of the backstretch. Video

April 23

Bourbonic four in 49.60 B (71/108) CD
Initial fractions were 12.80 and 24.40, so the second quarter went in 25.20. Exercise rider Hector Ramos niggled him just a bit in the stretch. He was out five furlongs in 102.40, or 12.80 past the wire. Times are not available for the remaining two furlongs of the gallop-out, which doesn't look bad. Video

Dynamic One four in 47.80 B (2/108) CD
At Churchill Downs, Dynamic One breezed under Jose Ortiz with Prime Factor (47.80), a former Derby Trail hopeful with good early speed, to his inside. Initial fractions 24.40, 36.20. Out energetically five in 1:00.60, six in 1:13.20. Dynamic Factor broke off a length back, arrived at the wire alongside his mate (so actually ran 1/5 faster), and was much the better of the two galloping out. It was another good workout by Dynamic One. Trainer Pletcher said, “He finished full of energy with his ears pricked." Video

Helium four in 49.80 B (75/108) CD
At Churchill Downs, Helium breezed under Julien Leparoux with Laker Mamba (50.00), a 3yo maiden winner beaten in two allowance races. The move got off to a rocky start, with Laker Mamba rank well befoere what can be seen on the video. Helium's splits were 12.20 and 24.00 and he was out five furlongs in 1:03.00. Helium broke off a length behind, finished a length ahead. The workmate was climbing in the stretch. Helium galloped out alone and was pulled up near the top of the stretch. It was a well-executed maintenance move. Video

Hidden Stash five in 1:00.60 B (6/26) KEE
His splits are unavailable, but he galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80. Exercise rider Darragh Sweeney handled the move.
Video unavailable

Keepmeinmind four in 46.20 B (1/108) CD
Splits 22.80, 34.40. Out five in 59.20. Keepmeinmind, ridden by David Cohen, went in company with Shasta Star. It was a visually impressive, energetic move coming from about 10 lengths behind his mate and blowing past him on the inside in the stretch. Keepmeinmind must've gotten an oil change since he was in Arkansas. It looks like he's enjoying his new environment. Were the initial splits too fast for comfort, or does he just plain like it in Kentucky and/or at Churchill Downs? Trainer Diodoro said, "He loves the track here." Jockey Cohen was pleased they went inside to pass the workmate and said, "...one thing he was dealing with early on in his career...he wasn’t wanting to go into some tight spots and kind of sucking out and giving up some much needed ground, which he did in the Breeders’ Cup prep and the Breeders’ Cup as well.”
Video unavailable

Known Agenda five in 1:01.00 B (17/50) CD
Sainthood five in 1:01 B (17/50) CD
At Churchill Downs, Known Agenda, with Irad Ortiz up, breezed inside of Sainthood, with exercise rider Amelia Green up. Initially they went 12.60, 24.40, 36.20. Out six in 1:14.20, seven in 1:27.20. Trainer Pletcher commented again that Known Agenda isn't the best work horse, then he complimented Sainthood for "staying with him." On the turn, the two horses took turns responding to rider prompts, alternately showing the way. In my opinion, the gallop-out by both horses was impressive. Video

Soup and Sandwich four in 50:00 B (78/108) CD
At Churchill Downs, Soup and Sandwich breezed outside Peace Achieved (50.60). Early splits were 12.40, 25.00, and he was out five furlongs in 1:03 like stable mate Helium earlier in the day. Soup and Sandwich is known for being a less-than-pretty mover, and he started the breeze rankly behind his mate, a few times almost bumping his head with that of his rider, jumping around and running with high action in front. He eventally settled down in the stretch, except for that high action, but then that went away and he created space from Peace Achieved near the wire and galloping out. He's still learning, that's pretty obvious, but there's talent there too, and it's alluring that he didn't seem to want to be pulled up in the far turn. Video

April 22

O Besos four in 48:00 B (8/39)
At Churchill Downs, O Besos impressed onlookers with his development. Track clockers got initial splits of 12.00 and 36.20, out five furlongs in 1:00, six in 112.60 and seven in 1:26.40. He started the workout proper midway through the far turn, and it ended midway through the first turn. Mike Welsch, who clocks for DRF, tweeted, "O’Besos extremely impressive officially working 4F from 3/8 in 48.13 but that was just the beginning, really accelerated around the turn kept finding more 5F 59.70 3/4 112.59 up 7/8 126.27." Video

Medina Spirit six in 1:12.20 H (1/3)
At Santa Anita, Medina Spirit worked outside of 4yo stakes horse Azul Coast (1:12.40). They broke off together, and Medina Spirit was a length better in the shadow of the wire as he was smooched for a little giddy-up. His rider overtly pushed him along in the gallop-out, as did the rider of Azul Coast. Pretty good work. Video


Kentucky Derby Workout NOTES

April 9-18, 2021


April 9

Known Agenda four in 50.25 B (8/11) PBD
It was an easy half-mile.This move came inside multiple graded turf winner Colonel Liam. This was a prototypical Pletcher work in company where the horses run together to the wire. It was Known Agenda's first move after the Florida Derby 12 days earlier. Colonel Liam easily moved by Known Agenda on the turn but came back to his rider, and the horses ran through the lane side by side. They were both given a good gallop-out, and Known Agenda showed he'd come out of the Florida Derby in good shape. Known Agenda moves with his head low. Note that Known Agenda is much smaller than Colonel Liam. Video


April 10

Hot Rod Charlie five in 1:01.20 H (27/66) SA
Trainer O'Neill said, “He went the last eighth in 11 and change." The Louisiana Derby winner breezed outside of Hammering Lemon (1:01.60), a 4yo son of Square Eddie looking for his first allowance win. Hot Rod Charlie broke off two lengths back, so connections have rating off horses in mind for him. It was a workmanlike move to the wire, where Hot Rod Charlie was a length ahead after not being asked much. Past the wire, he was niggled and out-galloped his mate through the first turn, albeit not by a huge margin, where the video ends. Video


April 13

O Besos five in 1:00.60 B (1/3) CD
This video is in three parts, and in the third one we see O Besos galloping out toward the top of the backstretch. He breezed alone. Trainer Foley comments -- some of it is a little difficult to discern, but the gist of it is that Foley had him working four furlongs, not five, with the first half in 25.37, four in 49 and change, then out five furlongs in 1:00.60 and six in 1:13 and change. Video


April 14

Hidden Stash four in 47.80 B (1/23) KEE
Video unavailable. He was in company with 4-year-old gelded allowance winner Kentucky Ghost (49.40, 4/23) and unraced 3-year-old Social Chatter (also 49.40, 4/23), Hidden Stash produced initial fractions of 12.60, 24.40 and 36.60, catching up to his workmates at the wire after starting eight lengths back. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00 and six in 1:13.80


April 16

Bourbonic four in 48.60 B (12/39) CD
Dynamic One four in 48.60 B (12/39) CD
Initial fraction was 24.40. Dynamic One finished in front of Bourbonic at the wire and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20 while Bourbonic was out six considerably slower, in 1:14.60. Bourbonic, who nipped Dynamic One at the wire to win the Wood Memorial, was on the inside, initially ahead a neck. They strode down the lane in tandem until Dynamic One surged ahead in the final jumps to lead by a length at the finish line. From there, Dynamic One was easily better, widening the gap between the two. Dynamic One was near the top of the backstretch when pulled up, then joined by Bourbonic. Video


Known Agenda five in 1:00.40 B (9/36) CD
Sainthood five in 1:00.40 B (9/36) CD
Fractions were 12.60, 24.40 and 36.40. They galloped out together through six furlongs in 1:13.40. Known Agenda and Sainthood breezed in company, with Known Agenda outside. It was almost textbook Pletcher as the pair pretty much began and hit the finish line together, although it should be pointed out Known Agenda was about a half-length behind to start and then stuck his head in front at the wire. In the gallop-out, Sainthood held his own. They were about to be pulled up approaching the top of the backstretch when the video stopped. I think both horses worked well. Video

Helium five in 1:01.80 B (28/36) CD
Fractions were 25.60, 37.60 and 49.80. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60. This was a gate work with Helium to the inside of stakes-placed and winner Peace Achieved. The gate was positioned on the far turn. Helium broke a step slow but soon settled down and led into the stretch, after which the rider on the mate asked for a bit more, and the pair hit the wire nearly together. The work continued past the finish and into the first turn. Helium was the better of the two, as his mate struggled a bit to keep up, then fell back. Not a bad effort, not an eye-popper either. Video

Medina Spirit five in 1:00.00 H (4/35) SA
He was outside Paint Me Lucky (1:00.60), a 6yo gelded maiden working over and over for a return to the races after 14 months off. Started off a neck behind, even terms on the turn. Turning for home, a galloper was out in the middle of the track, and Medina Spirit turned it up, splitting horses at the sixteenth pole. At the wire, he was over three lengths ahead of his outmatched mate. He galloped out in a different time zone, but it was not a giant gallop-out by any means, and he was fully geared down well before he hit the backstretch. A maintenance work. Trainer Baffert said, “He worked five eighths, galloped out strong and looked good" adding that the Derby “looks very wide open.” Video



April 17 - The track at Churchill Downs was tight on this date, helping to induce some quick times.

Essential Quality five in 59:60 B (4/40) CD
Initial splits were 12.80, 24.60 and 47.40. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20 and seven in 1:28.60. Outside Spa City, a 4yo off-and-on type with two wins from eight starts trained last year by Kiaran McLaughlin, Essential Quality broke off about a length back. The pair were head-and-head at the wire. Galloping out, Essential Quality drifted out early in the turn while losing ground to Spa City. While neither horse was asked for much going up the back, they ran together to the track kitchen, which I like to see. Video

Hot Rod Charlie six in 1:14.20 H (5/6) SA
Trainer O'Neill said, “He looked solid. So far, so good.” Outside of Itsthattime (1:14.60), who runs in intermediate claiming ranks, Hot Rod Charlie was initially a length back. Hot Rod Charlie stayed there until gliding by his mate in the stretch. He ran past the wire a length better, followed by a moderate gallop-out into the backstretch, where the video ends. Video

Like the King six in 1.12:80 B (1/3) KEE
He worked outside Artie's Princess, a 4yo filly G2 stakes winner (1:13.40). Three lengths behind in the backstretch, Like the King got on even terms mid-stretch while appearing a bit unfocused and was ahead a length at the wire. Galloping out, he fell behind again in the first turn, then was on even terms again before being pulled up while Artie's Princess continued to gallop. At the conclusion of the work, trainer Wesley Ward and Gary Stevens, agent for Drayden Van Dyke, who will have the Derby mount, exchanged fist bumps with enthusiasm. Video

Mandaloun six in 1:11.40 B (1/3) CD
Splits were 12.40, 24.20, 35.60 and 58.80. Mandaloun extended his stride in front of workmate Colonel Bowman through a seven-furlong gallop out in 1:25.20 and a mile in 1:41.60. He was outside of Colonel Bowman (1:11.80), a 3yo maiden winner at Fair Grounds, starting off in stalking position a length back at the 5/8 pole. He was under stout restraint early, not rating by choice, and this continued in the turn even as Mandaloun appearded to be passing his mate. In the stretch they ran together, and Mandaloun was about 3/4 length in front at the wire, with the work ending midway through the turn. He ran strongly through that first turn and was pulled up around his starting point. He showed good energy throughout the workout and gallop-out, but the question in my mind is whether he was too eager early? If you think back in the context of the way Always Dreaming worked before the 2017 Derby, then the answer would be no. Video

I happened to see on April 20 live streaming Mandaloun engaging in a strong gallop, continuing to make a good impression with onlookers at Churchill Downs.

Rock Your World five in 59:60 H (6/72) SA
This move was in company with Tripoli (1:00.20), a useful 4-year-old allowance horse, to his inside. The video begins showing them together nearing the turn. In mid-stretch, Rock Your World left his mate behind and hit the wire two lengths better. From there, he distanced his mate. The rider stood up before the backstretch and began pulling up Rock Your World about 1 1/2 furlongs past the finish line as the video ends. His action is a bit high but not too troubling; after all, he is a fast horse. Good work. Video

Soup and Sandwich five 59:80 B (7/40) CD
His opening fractions were12.40, 24.20 and 35.20. Soup and Sandwich began drawing clear of his workmate at the wire and galloped out strongly in front with a six-furlong time of 1:12.40 and seven in 1:25.20. This looked like it started out as a solo work, but there was a workmate. After a swife start with his ears laid back, Soup and Sandwich found company deep in the far turn. He inched by that one in the stretch and then drew off with his rider sitting chilly. Encouraged a bit by the rider's cues, he galloped with energy through the turn. Up the back, he began pricking his ears as if asking for more encouragement and galloped to the far turn. Very nice workout. Video

April 18

Highly Motivated four in 47:20 B (1/27) KEE
Splits: 12.20, 23.60, 36.00, out five furlongs in 1:00.20, six in 1:15.60. He was inside of Founder (47.20), a 3YO maiden debut winner from four starts. After starting off about a half-length ahead, Highly Motivated held that position and then out-galloped Founder past the wire a couple of furlongs, although his six-furlong out time is not all that. Trainer Brown is enthused, though, and we should pay attention to that. Video

April 19

Midnight Bourbon five in 59.80 B (1/13) CD
Initial splits were 12.40, 24.00, 35.60. He was out six in 1:12.80 and seven in 1:26.00. The breeze began awkwardly, with the consensus being that the workmate was anxious and throwing his head around, causing Midnight Bourbon to act up, too. In other words, blame it on the workmate. But what will Midnight Bourbon be like in the midst of the Kentucky Derby hubbub? Anyway, Midnight Bourbon finally leveled out and put in a good breeze, cruising down the lane while putting away the workmate. The gallop-out goes on nicely for about 2 1/2 furlongs before his rider had to use some energy pulling him up. All in all, very nice. Video