WORKOUT RESULTS, VIDEOS, NOTES and COMMENTS

DOWNEY'S WORKOUT NOTES AND COMMENTS.

WORKOUT INFO FROM SECTION 3 IS ALSO POSTED HERE

May 6 NOTE: Forte was scratched just after 9 a.m. ET following a gallop and an examination by state veterinarians.

May 5 NOTE: (a) Skinner was scratched this morning, elevated temperature cited. (b) Nineteen horses remain in the field. Forte scratch rumors unsubstantiated. It is still possible a scratch could occur, but Forte galloped on the track this morning.

May 4 NOTE: (a) Practical Move scratched, elevated temperature cited. (b) Lord Miles ordered out of Derby by KHRC, stewards. (c) Added content for Cyclone Mischief and Mandarin Hero. (d) Continuar scratched; added content for Lord Russell.

May 2 NOTE: (a) Derma Sotogake, also-eligible Mandarin Hero and Sun Thunder breezed this morning at Churchill Downs. Details are posted. (b) Yesterday, track insiders said Continuar would breeze today, but he didn't. (c) Apparently a mistake was made when the morning line was revealed at the post position draw; Jace's Road is now listed at 50-1 instead of the 15-1 announced at the draw.

May 1 NOTE: Disarm breezed this morning at Churchill Downs. A report and video are posted.

April 30 NOTE: Rocket Can breezed at 7:30, and we have a report and the video.

April 29 COMMENT: Workouts today at Churchill Downs by Angel of Empire, Confidence Game, Cyclone Mischief, Forte, Hit Show, Jace's Road, Kingsbarns, Mage, Major Dude, Tapit Trice and Verifying. Skinner worked at Santa Anita. Reports and videos are posted for all the workouts.

April 28 COMMENT: (a) A video of Two Phil's workout yesterday at Hawthorne was released just minutes before this post, and we have it. (b) We found video of Raise Cain's workout yesterday at Keeneland, and it is posted. Apology for the delay. (c) King Russell, who at one point looked like a potential also-eligible, has not put in a workout since April 16.  (d) Practical Move worked at Santa Anita. Video and quote posted. NOTE also posted. (e) Lord Miles worked at Gulfstream Park. Video and quote posted. NOTE also posted. (f) Reincarnate blazed four furlongs at Santa Anita. Video and quote posted. NOTE also posted.

April 27 COMMENT: Sadly, a catastrophic injury occured to Wild on Ice during training this morning.

April 27 COMMENT: (a) Skinner was added to this section. (b) Information about Raise Cain's breeze today is posted. (c) Information about a breeze by Two Phil's is posted.

April 26 COMMENT: Added info and NOTES about workouts by Sun Thunder, Derma Sotogake and Continuar.

April 24 COMMENT: (a) I added  a bit of information about Mage's most recent workout today, picked up from Mike Welsch's observation of the move. Mage arrived at Churchill Downs today. (b) Disarm breezed today at Churchill, a bullet of 18, and we added a NOTE and video.

HORSES LISTED IN DERBY POINTS ORDER

FORTE - SCRATCHED

APRIL 14/21 NOTES: His April 14 and 21 works were basically maintenance breezes according to trainer Pletcher, and we can expect more of that in his final Derby workout, in which Pletcher said he would probably do less than he did on the 21st. If there is a weakness in the April 14 breeze, the first one after the Florida Derby, Irad (assuming that's him) was pushing Forte with his hands during the work while workmate's rider had a hold on him; and Forte was being pushed along again in the gallop-out as they went into the backstretch. However, all this could've been by design -- Pletcher describes Forte as a "push-button" horse, so maybe they were just pushing the buttons. The April 21 work is visually more pleasing with Forte pricking his ears from time to time galloping out in the backstretch, and he galloped a long way. A good-looking workout which he finished in 23.40, out six in 12.40 and seven in another 12.60.

APRIL 29 NOTE: Forte breezed outside Bright Future, a recent allowance winner at age 4 with three races under his belt. They broke off at the half-mile pole with Forte and Irad Ortiz, Jr. about a length off Bright Future. After an easy move through the lane, Forte stuck his head in front at the wire. The horses galloped out together to the track kitchen located just inside the beginning of the far turn. A straightforward, strong work for Forte. Fractions per Churchill Downs clockers were 12.40 and 24.60, out five furlongs in 1:00.60. Nothing to knock from that perspective.

April 14 - 50:23 Breezing 16/25 PBD dirt fast  VIDEO
Forte breezed in company with Bright Future (also 50.23), a 4-year-old son of Curlin that won an allowance race April 1 at GP. “With Forte we were just looking for a nice, easy first work back," Pletcher said.

April 21 - 1:02.00 Breezing 29/33 CD dirt fast   VIDEO  TODD PLETCHER COMMENTS  IRAD ORTIZ, JR COMMENTS

This looks to have been Forte's major breeze for the Derby. Trainer Pletcher said of Forte and Tapit Trice after their workouts today, "We'll probably do a little less next week, we'll play it by ear and see how the week is." Forte had Irad Ortiz, Jr. on board and ran fractions of 26.20 and 38.60, then out six furlongs in 1:14.40 and seven in 1:27.00. Forte started about a half-length behind Bright Future.

Ortiz said, “It was a normal work from him, which is exactly what you want to see. I let him start going at the five-furlong pole and just get into stride. Going into the turn he stayed with the other horse. When I tipped him out in the stretch he responded well and galloped out nicely. His mind has changed a lot this year from last year. I’m happy with that. He’s growing physically but has a great mind.”

Trainer Pletcher said, "Forte is a very straightforward horse to train. He’s pushbutton. When Irad asked him to sit just off of his workmate this morning he did just that. When you press ‘go’, he quickly accelerated to put a head in front of his workmate.”

April 29 - 49:80 Breezing 96/149 CD dirt fast   VIDEO   IRAD ORTIZ JR VIDEO TODD PLETCHER VIDEO
Trainer Pletcher said of his Derby hopefuls, “I’m very pleased. They all did what they were supposed to do.”

PRACTICAL MOVE - SCRATCHED

APRIL 21 NOTE: Practical Move looks none the worse for the wear on April 21 in this, his first workout since the Santa Anita Derby, which was run a week after the Florida Derby. As talented and fast as workmate Kangaroo Court is touted to be, he was soundly put away by Practical Move, whether by design or not, when they hit the clubhouse turn. The camera operator annoyingly cut off the video before Practical Move stopped running down the backstretch. I have to keep reminding myself Practical Move has been in trainer Yakteen's care all along -- this isn't a horse inherited from the Baffert barn.

APRIL 28 NOTE: This is a fast solo move by a horse that still looks eager to run. He ran right by what might be an unintended workmate and distanced it on the gallop-out. Nothing to dislike about this workout. I like it, and Practical Move looks very fit.

April 21 - 47.00 Handily 2/31 SA dirt fast  VIDEO

The work was in company with Kangaroo Court, and trainer Yakteen's watch matched the identical official time for both with what he termed a strong gallop-out in “59 seconds and change." Kangaroo Court will be entered in the Pat Day Mile. Kangaroo Court was purchased for $7,500 at the 2021 Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Fall Mixed Sale by owner George Sharp. He has banked $197,200 in four starts.

April 28 - 59:60 Handily 2/32 SA dirt fast  VIDEO

Trainer Yakteen said, “Practical Move went really nice as well. We’re very happy with what we saw. Knock on wood, but we should be all set.”

ANGEL OF EMPIRE and JACE'S ROAD

APRIL 15/21 NOTES: Unfortunately, Angel of Empire's and Tapit's Conquest April 15 breeze took place at 5:30 in the morning with nary a cameraman in sight, and for whatever reason although a professional camera bank was in place on April 21, all we get to see from Angel of Empire and Jace's Road is what, thankfully, someone connected with either West Point or the Albaugh family was able to capture during the latter part of the move.

The April 15 move was finished off in 23.80, pretty impressive, and the first furlong of the gallop-out, which is all we have here, went in 12.60. Very nice. Angel of Empire wore blinkers for this breeze, which is not a first for him.

The April 21 workout extended into the mid-point of the first turn (7/8 marker), and we can see a portion of the seven-furlong gallop-out toward the 3/4 mile marker. Note that the time for the six-furlong breeze, 1:13.40, and the splits indicate the last 3/8 mile was traversed in 37.80, which doesn't knock my socks off, and the first furlong of the gallop-out (we can't see the rest) was run in 13 flat. Internal splits of the first three furlongs were 12.20, 11.60 and 11.80, so these two were rolling along the first half of the move. I would rather see more balanced fractions than this, like the splits from the April 15 move, but I don't know what trainer Cox had in mind. Note that Angel of Empire was without blinkers for this breeze.

APRIL 29 NOTE: Wearing blinkers for the work as he sometimes does, Angel of Empire breezed outside Jace's Road, who had Florent Geroux up. After breaking off about a length behind Jace's Road, Angel of Empire was on even terms before the stretch and stuck his head in front at the finish line. Brandon Stauble had them galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20. After that, the gallop-out was not competitive as Angel of Empire impressively distanced Jace's Road. He was close to the track kitchen when easily pulled up.

The clockers at Churchill Downs do a fantastic job, in my opinion, but it was a hectic morning and in this case Jace's Road was inadvertantly given the faster time of the two horses (1:01.20 vs 1:01.40). Based on their relative positions at the beginning and end of the breeze, Angel of Empire had to have breezed a bit faster because he started off a length behind Jace's Road and finished on even terms. . Fractions as I see them were (Angel of Empire) 25.00, 37.60, 49.00 and out six furlongs in 1:14.20; (Jace's Road) 12.80, 25.40, 37.80, 49.20 and out six in 1:14.20.

April 15 - 48:20 Breezing 20/99 CD dirt fast

The work was at 5:30 ET. Angel of Empire breezed in company outside of Tapit's Conquest (also 48.20) under exercise rider Edvin Vargas. Angel of Empire wore blinkers, according to Churchill Downs. Angel of Empire did not wear blinkers in the Arkansas Derby, but according to Churchill Angel of Empire has previously used blinkers in workouts. Initial fractions were 12.40 and 24.40, and Angel of Empire was out five furlongs in 1:00.80 according to clocker John Nichols. “It was a solid morning with three weeks out from the Derby,” trainer Cox said.

April 21 - 1:13.40  Breezing 1/2 CD dirt fast VIDEO  BRAD COX COMMENTS
Trainer Cox said they were looking to do more with Angel of Empire and Jace's Road working in company (six furlongs) than the set of Hit Show and Verifying (five furlongs) on the same date. Trainer Cox added, “Angel of Empire is the type of horse we’ve been confident all along that can handle the mile-and-a-quarter distance in the Derby. He excelled going the longer distance in the Arkansas Derby and moves like the type of horse that will like a route of ground." Angel of Empire and Jace's Road broke off at the 5/8 mile pole and worked past the wire to mid-turn, six furlongs on Cox's watch in 1:13.20, and out seven in 1:26.40. Cox said the works are designed mainly to maintain fitness. According to track clocker John Nichols, their initial fractions were 12.20, 23.80, 35.60 and 1:00.40, and they galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.40.

Angel of Empire April 29 1.01:40 Breezing 23/54 CD dirt fast (official clocking)  VIDEO

Jace's Road April 29 - 1.01:20 Breezing 21/54 CD dirt fast (official clocking)

Trainer Cox said, “They were both pretty straightforward moves. We’re one week out from the race and they are important works, but we didn’t want to ask them to do too much. They did it on their own and did what we needed to see going into the Derby. Chris Landeros, who was board Angel of Empire, said, "He seems to have a lot of gears. He’s a really nice colt and worked easily.”

TAPIT TRICE

APRIL 21 NOTE: I don't see any worries in this move. Tapit Trice's gallop-out went practically to the track kitchen, and to me the Churchill Downs track kitchen is the gold standard for gauging a horse's fitness and energy level in the days before the Derby. With a bit of caution I'll say this was not a pull-your-arms-off gallop-out, but it was impressive nevertheless. I saw Tapit Trice break out into a gallop during the Blue Grass post parade, and he looked like he was floating over the ground. Just after the gate opened, not so much, but once he gets in the clear he runs athletically.

APRIL 29 NOTE: This was a good maintenance work for Tapit Trice. He out-galloped his workmate a bit past the finish line under exercise rider Amelia Green. Tapit Trice appears to like the surface at Churchill Downs as much as he did at Keeneland, where he gave the impressson of floating over the dirt. I heard a comment, I think from Rosie Napravnik, that Tapit Trice covers about 30 feet per stride when in full gallop, and that's a useful ability when covering a route of ground. Fractions per Churchill Downs clockers were 12.20, 24.00, 36.40 and out five furlongs in 1:00.60. Just like clockwork.

April 21 - 48.60 Breezing 11/68 CD dirt fast   VIDEO  TODD PLETCHER COMMENTS

This looks to have been Tapit Trice's major breeze for the Derby. Trainer Pletcher said of Forte and Tapit Trice after their workouts today, "We'll probably do a little less next week, we'll play it by ear and see how the week is." With exercise rider Amelia Green up, he registered an initial split of 12.80, out five furlongs in 1:01 and six in 1:13.80.

April 29 - 48:20 Breezing 20/149 CD dirt fast   \   See FORTE section for Todd Pletcher interview

Trainer Pletcher said of his Derby hopefuls, “I’m very pleased. They all did what they were supposed to do.”

TWO PHIL'S

April 27 COMMENT (updated April 28 with video): Two Phil's appears to be thriving at Hawthorne where he polished off his second bullet work in a row. You'd have to think he is definitely the best horse stabled at Hawthorne, and he's showing it. Trainer Rivelli said he galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.00 after working in company with what he termed "a fast horse." Two Phi's has not run forwardly early in his races, and he isn't being trained to do that now.There is an 11-day gap between his last two breezes, something that is not encouraging to me, but Rivelli says its because he's been racing frequently and is fit. However, his most recent race was the Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 25, and he's had three starts this year. Mixed signals here. All that said, there is nothing at all wrong with this workout; he shows good energy.

April 16 COMMENT: We can find no video or fractional times for his workouts at Hawthorne. On paper, Two Phil's looks like he's having no problem getting over the dirt at the Chicago track. He's one of the tougher horses to handicap, for me at least. He really stepped it up on synthetic track during the Jeff Ruby Steaks, but can he repeat that performance on fast dirt at Churchill Downs?

We found comments from trainer Rivelli at BloodHorse after Two Phil's most recent workout. "Really good. Probably couldn't have been happier," he said. "He worked in company with another horse of mine that's pretty fast for five-eighths. I wanted him to have something to chase. It was really good and pretty effortless. I'm probably going to work him one more time, a little bit more of a maintenance work than this one. It's as good as can be because nothing went any different than I was hoping it would go. So that's half the battle. He is at the peak of his game right now."

April 9 - 49:60 Breezing 3/10 HAW dirt fast

April 16 - 1.00:00 Breezing 1/10 HAW dirt fast

April 27 - 59:00 Breezing 1/16 HAW dirt fast  VIDEO

Regular rider Jareth Loveberry handled the move after flying in from Keeneland, then he flew back for the end of the meet. Trainer Rivelli will ship Two Phil’s to Churchill Downs on Sunday, April 30 and plans to have him on the track at 7:30 a.m. the next day.

“He chased a pretty fast horse (stablemate Smokin Richie), and effortlessly ran by him,” Rivelli said. “He galloped out three-quarters in 1:12. He couldn’t blow out a match after. The last two works were almost identically the same, but I changed it up a bit by putting him back in company. I haven’t wanted to work him every seven days because he’s been racing frequently and he’s fit. I just want to have him focused in on what he likes to do which is sit behind a horse and idle off until you ask him, and then make his move when it’s time. And he’s done that in both works. The track was in great shape today. It’s all systems go and I couldn’t be happier with how he’s going into the race.”

LORD MILES - SCRATCHED

April 21 NOTE: Lord Miles put in a fast workout on April 21, his first move since the Wood Memorial on April 8, but we are unable to see much of the gallop-out. I am getting from trainer Joseph's comments that Lord Miles' inconsistency while racing derives mainly from a lack of concentration -- he's on the bridle, then he's off the bridle, etc. He apparently put it all together in the Wood Memorial. Let's see one more work.

April 28 NOTE: We have no information from Gulfstream Park about the fractions. This is unusual because track publicity does a great job there. As for the video, my impression is this was a slow work where without a big gallop-out following it. The only purpose was maintenance.

April 21 - 47.05 Breezing 2/33 GP dirt fast  VIDEO click a second time if not successful

Exercise rider Andrew Thomas was aboard. Fractions for the work weren't made available by Gulfstream Park. Trainer Joseph said, “It was a good easy work but probably a tad faster than ideal, but he did it well within himself and he was moving well – that’s the important thing. He came out of the Wood well. He shipped back (from New York to Florida) and he’s held his weight. His weight and his energy seem to be in good order. He’ll come back, all being well, and work next Friday. He’ll go five furlongs and we’ll ship Saturday or Sunday to Churchill Downs. He won the Wood, but his race in the Wood isn’t going to be good enough to win the Derby. He’s going to have to improve again."

April 28 - 1.02:41 Breezing 12/13 GP dirt fast  VIDEO

Exercise rider Andrew Thomas was aboard for the workout. Trainer Joseph texted the Churchill Downs notes team, “He worked well. All being well, we will leave tomorrow." He told Gulfstream Park publicity, "We just wanted a steady five-eighths. We got what we wanted. He went well. He’ll need to improve a lot to have a chance. Hopefully, he has a good week and runs the race of his life." 

DERMA SOTOGAKE

COMMENT: The final eighth-mile on April 19 was timed in 12.40 after an opening eighth of 13.00, so a nice, balanced breeze. Video is not available. The exercise rider's comment indicates to me that the next work will be Derma Sotogatke's serious one.

APRIL 26 NOTE: His rider was really rousing him in the stretch, and he responded well, totally putting away Continuar. This was much the better of the two breezes. There is a lot of interest in this horse leading into the Derby, and this workout didn't do a whole lot to help those of us who aren't sure what to make of his morning antics such as throwing his head around a lot.

Last year another Japanese-based horse, Crown Pride, trained really well going into the Derby, and I liked him a bit and included him in selections -- and then he ran suicidal early fractions and retreated badly. I couldn't believe what I saw; he hadn't trained that way at Churchill Downs, he hadn't run off, and he hadn't raced that way that I knew about. Later, a fellow told me ownership just wanted to see the horse in first for awhile so they could brag to their friends and/or associates he led the Kentucky Derby field up the backstretch. That anyone would think that way had never dawned on me, and I don't know if it's true or not, but wow.

APRIL 29 COMMENT: He was put in the starting gate at the top of the stretch and asked to break, which he did. After about one furlong the rider strangled him back, which caused Derma Sotogake to throw his head around violently. An official workout was not recorded. The only reason for this exercise that makes sense to me is two-fold: (a) get practice from the gate, and (b) condition the horse so that when he actually races, the lack of restraint will make him happy and joyful to run. This negative reinforcement, psychological ploy or whatever term you prefer may work in Japan, I don't know.

MAY 2 NOTE: Initial fractions for his breeze were 13.40 and 37.00, then out 1:04.20 for five furlongs per the track clockers. His gallop-out looked faster than that to me. He was restrained by his rider early in the work and responded by throwing his head multiple times. When let go, he finished the move in racehorse time. Beyond the finish line, visually the colt galloped out in good form most of the way up the backstretch. Will he be restrained in the early stages of the Kentucky Derby from post 17?

April 19 - 49:60 Breezing 16/20 CD dirt fast

Initial fractions were 13 and 37.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. He warmed up for about 25 minutes in the mile chute. “I am really happy with how he moved today,” exercise rider Masatoshi Segawa said. “He felt great. We didn’t want to go too fast today so I had to keep a strong hold on him throughout and even then he performed brilliantly. Now I can start to get really excited about Derby Day.”

April 26 - 1:01.40 Breezing 10/40 CD dirt fast  VIDEO

The work was in company with Continuar and ended in the middle of the first turn. Both broke off from the four-furlong marker. His splits were 13.20, 25.80, 37.20, 48.60, 1:01.40. Internal fractions were 13.20, 12.60, 11.40, 11.40 and 12.80. Kate Hunter, the Japan Racing Association representative for the Kentucky Derby, said that both riders were happy with the works, with Derma Sotogake's rider pleased with the response in the stretch. Breaking off at the half-mile pole, Continuar was three lengths in front. By the head of the stretch, Derma Sotogake had drawn even and was clear at the wire.

May 2 - Derma Sotogake (JPN) 49:60 Breezing 13/20 CD dirt fast VIDEO
After the workout, assistant trainer Masanari Tanaka said, “I think from the outside he will be able to take a decent position keeping an eye on the whole field in the early stages. He broke quickly from the gate (at Churchill Downs) the other day, so I think it won’t be a problem.”

KINGSBARNS and MAJOR DUDE

APRIL 14/20 NOTES: Unfortunately Churchill Downs did not capture video of the April 20 breeze. The final quarter-mile of the breeze went in 24.60, and the first eighth-mile of the gallop-out, the only one the clockers got, was timed in 12.60.

On April 14 at Palm Beach Downs both Kingsbarns and Major Dude both showed good energy, with Major Dude holding his own during the work proper and most of the gallop-out. However, Kingsbarns was considerably wider. Kingsbarns was pushed along as they hit the wire, and he responded well using his powerful hind quarters. T Major Dude seemed more willing to be pulled up in the backstretch than Kingsbarns. I've been hearing Kingsbarns getting some Derby buzz.

Major Dude is being pointed to the American Turf on Derby day, assuming he doesn't draw into the Derby.

APRIL 29 NOTE: Kingsbarns broke off about a length behind Major Dude and was a neck behind at the finish line. Both horses gallop out with energy and finished up about three-quarters of the way up the backstretch. A solid maintenance work for both. Fractions for both the horses per Churchill Downs clockers were 12.80, 24.40, 48.40, out five furlongs in 1:00.80. Nice and steady.

April 7 - 49:74 Breezing 5/17 PBD dirt fast

April 14 - 49.48 Breezing 10/25 PBD dirt fast  VIDEO

In company with Major Dude.

April 20 - 1:00.80  Breezing 11/20 CD dirt fast  TODD PLETCHER COMMENTS

In company with Major Dude. According to track clockers, they ran though splits of 12.60, 24.40 and 36.20 and galloped out together through six furlongs in 1:13.40. Irad Ortiz Jr. was aboard Major Dude. Exercise rider Humberto Zamora was in the saddle on Kingsbarns.

Trainer Pletcher said, “We were looking for a little more from Major Dude and Kingsbarns (than with Forte on this same date). I thought they both went really well, good enthusiasm and energy in their gallop-outs. Both of them went pretty well. I thought it was a good, steady work with a strong gallop out. Kingsbarns accomplished a lot in a short period of time. I thought his debut was very professional. It’s hard to win going one-mile first time out, and he did it getting an education being behind horses. For his first start I thought that was impressive. We went the Tampa Bay Downs route to get a two-turn allowance race into him. I thought that worked out well. He made a big step forward then in the Louisiana Derby.”

Spendthrift Farm President Eric Gustavson said, “I think people gave Kingsbarns a discount because of the time of the Louisiana Derby. I don’t think you should be penalized by going to the front and putting everyone else to sleep like he did. We’re pretty confident coming into the Derby."

April 29 - 48:40 Breezing 33/149 CD dirt fast  VIDEO
Trainer Pletcher said of his Derby hopefuls, “I’m very pleased. They all did what they were supposed to do.”

RAISE CAIN

April 27 NOTE: A workout today at Keeneland went well with Raise Cain being supplied an unraced workmate to charge at from five lengths back. He caught her at the wire in 49.00 (13/51) while she was timed in 50:00 (33/51). Raise Cain gallops smoothly. Raise Cain will be shipped to Louisville May 1. Trainer Colebrook hopes the track is wet for the Kentucky Derby, and he hopes for a hot pace. This horse clearly will not be part of the early pace with connections hope he will pick off horses in the far turn and lane.

APRIL 20 NOTE: On April 20 before his solo move, Keeneland gives us an extended look at Raise Cain, who looks smooth and light on his feet in a gallop before the workout. He started the breeze out slowly under a stout hold (13.60 + 13.20 = 26.80) in the backstretch, then ran 11.80 up to the far turn, 12.80 around the far turn and 12.00 in the stretch. A little slow around the turn, but the rider grabbed him a bit at that point, and he motored in the lane.  We don't have a gallop-out time. He wasn't asked for much in the gallop-out, but he appeared to want to keep running as he was pulled up. Trainer Colebrook perhaps has a longshot sleeper candidate to pick up a piece.

April 20 - 1.03:40 Breezing 11/11 KEE dirt fast  VIDEO

Raise Cain will try to run late in the Derby. His fractions were 13.60, 26.80, 38.60, 51.40, and he galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.80. Trainer Colebrook said, “Nice and easy … finished well and galloped out well. Just what you’re looking for. He started out slow and then finished well.”

April 27 - 49:00 Breezing 13/51 KEE dirt fast  VIDEO
Keeneland's press office did not relay video of the workout, but we found it. The breeze was in company with the unraced 3-year-old filly Merrily Rush. Keeneland clockers did not relay internal fractions to the press office, but they had him galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.80.

Trainer Colebrook said, “I just wanted him to have something to run at, a horse five lengths in front of him, because that’s something he’ll be doing in the Derby. It went great. Just what we were looking for. Neither work (referring to April 20 breeze) was real strenuous for him. He’s run enough races that these works are just maintenance, keep the fitness that we have. He’s such a level-headed horse that I felt it was better to keep him here (at Keeneland). We can graze him a couple of hours a day, and he can be in his own stall. If he was nervous or he needed to get acclimated more to Churchill – he’ll have plenty of time over there. We’ll go over there Monday, last minute. He’ll have time to school in the paddock, stand in the gate. We just wanted to keep him home; he does great here. He ran a decent race (in the Toyota Blue Grass), but I think it’s a race he can improve on in the Derby. Pace and a wet track wouldn’t bother me a bit.”

Jockey Gerardo Corrales was aboard for the workout. Colebrook said Corrales “in the mix” to ride the colt in the Derby. It's Colebrooks' first Kentucky Derby horse.

ROCKET CAN

APRIL 13 AND 23 NOTES: On April 13 Rocket Can worked fast and galloped out the first eighth mile beyond the wire in 12.60 and the second eighth in 13.40.

He had blinkers added for his next work 10 days later, when his speed was more measured, and trainer Mott said he'll have them on for the Derby so that when he runs up next to another horse hopefully he will go on instead of choosing to merely run along beside him.

In the April 23 breeze, Rocket Can was asked to start the work well behind his mate. The video shows Rocket Can began the move under a tight hold but was soon only a length behind the workmate. He finished about 3/4 length ahead of that one and was soon well ahead in the gallop-out. He ran on up the backstretch pretty much to the track kitchen, which is just inside the far turn, but he was being eased down gently leading to that point.He got the final quarter-mile of the breeze in 24.40 and galloped out past the wire the first eighth in 13.20. We don't have a time beyond that.

APRIL 30 NOTE: Rocket Can breezed solo in a solid 59.80 sporting blinkers. Fractions were 12.80, 24.40, 36.00 and out six furlongs in 1:13.00. He ran well up the backstretch and was easily pulled up before the far turn. Trainer Mott said he'd worn blinkers in a works before, but not often, and the team thought they didn't really make much difference; however, he said, he feels Rocket Can picked it up a notch today. It was a good workout with nothing to cause you to turn away if you like Rocket Can.

April 13 - 46:60 Breezing 1/34 CD dirt fast

Rocket Can galloped out five furlongs in :59.20 and six in 1:12.60.

April 23 - 1:01.00 Breezing 11/41 CD dirt fast  VIDEO   BILL MOTT COMMENTS

Rocket Can broke off six lengths behind stablemate Game Warden. Rocket Can completed early fractions of 12.20 and 36.60 with regular exercise rider Guelser Cardona in the saddle. He finished even with his stablemate at the wire and galloped out several lengths in front through six furlongs in 1:14.20.

Rocket Can had blinkers added for the move and will for the Derby. Trainer Mott said, “It was a nice steady work. He worked fast last week and I was just looking for a good, steady work this week. He galloped out well and stayed within himself. It maybe was a little bit of a wide trip in the Arkansas Derby. The one thing that race told me is he still has more to give in the tank. I don’t think he’s quite learned to give it his all. That’s what you get this time of year with 3-year-olds but they can improve quickly. He’s got a lot of route pedigree on his bottom side being by Tapit. We added blinkers in today’s work and will for the race. Hopefully, that will help him go past horses when he runs up beside them.”

April 30 - 59.80 Breezing 4/35 CD dirt fast VIDEO

Trainer Mott said, “He’ll have an easy day tomorrow, then we’ll get him back on a medium exercise program until Derby Day. We just hope that he stays healthy, and in one piece, until Saturday. The one thing we all have to prove is if we can get 10 furlongs. That’s always the question in the Derby, there’s not that many prep races at that mile-and-a-quarter distance (tongue in cheek). When they turn for home in the Derby, that really sorts them out. We hope this horse has the stamina to get the 10 furlongs. We think he has it, he has a pedigree that indicates he should get the distance. You never know if they can do it, until they do it.

HIT SHOW and VERIFYING

APRIL 21 NOTE: They worked in tandem on April 21 and finished the move in either 12.00 or 12.40 depending on whose watch (Cox v. clockers) is being used. Out an extra eighth in 12.80. Jockey Gaffalione starting niggling Verifying in the last 100 yards or so, and he responded. The gallop-out showed Verifying the better of the two and they proceeded up the backstretch. Trainer Cox's comments indicate he will ask them for more in their final Derby workouts.

APRIL 29 NOTE HIT SHOW: Unlike the April 21 workous, Hit Show and Verifying breezed separately. They were the first two Derby workers of the morning, coming out at about 5:15. The track was rated fast and maybe playing a little more quickly than it was after the 7:00 renovation break. It was very wet the previous day.

Hit Show was timed in 59.60 by track clocker John Nichols, outside of Tapit's Conquest (1.00). Hit Show started about two lengths back and finished pretty much on even terms about a head in front. Hit Show moved nicely; I noticed his gallop-out was not really strong, and the stable intimated after last week's workotu today's move might be more. A media observer said Hit Show was more relaxed today than in his last workout, but perhaps that was by design. Fractions per Churchill Downs clockers were 23.60, 35.80 and 47.40 (12.20 for third furlong, 11.60 fourth furlong, 12.20 fifth furlong), out six furlongs in 1:14.30.

APRIL 29 NOTE VERIFYING: Hit Show and Verifying breezed first out of the gate this morning just before 5:30, just not with each other as was expected. The track was rated fast and maybe playing a little more quickly than it was after the 7:00 renovation break.

Verifying, under Tyler Gaffalione, went a few minutes after Hit Show outside of maiden Everso Mischievous, and both were caught in 59.40. Verifying worked with blinkers per race day mode. Brandon Stauble, who was on the works show, had him out six furlongs in 1:12.00. Verifying's gallop-out was similar to that of Hit Show (moderate). Referring back to the maiden Everso Mischievous, you might want to keep an eye on her. He finished second by a head in his debut on Feb. 11 at Aqueduct, earning a 98 Equibase figure, and pretty much held her own with Verifying. Fractions for Verifying per Churchill Downs clockers were 23.20, 35.40, 47.20, out six in 1:12.80. His internal splits were nearly identical to those of Hit Show.

April 21 - 1:01.00  Breezing 18/33 CD dirt fast  VIDEO  BRAD COX COMMENTS

Verifying and Hit Show breezed in company with Hit Show to the inside of Verifying. Hit Show had an exercise rider up while Tyler Gaffalione was on board Verifying. They got identical times for five furlongs. Trainer Cox said he had them in 1:00.60 (official time was 1:01.00) and out six in 1:13.80. Clocker John Nichols reported initial splits of 12.60, 24.40 and 48.60.

"We weren't looking to do as much with that set as Angel of Empire and Jace's Road (six furlongs)," he said. Cox said the works are designed mainly to maintain fitness. Cox added, “Hit Show just missed in the Wood Memorial. It was a pretty tough beat that day, but he showed us that as the distances get longer he can handle the route of ground as well. Verifying, like Hit Show, was a tough beat about an hour before in the Blue Grass. Going back in his career, I don’t’ think he was quite ready when we ran him in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He started to mature over the winter and I’m still a little confused on his effort in the Rebel. He was in contention, then dropped back and then rallied in the stretch. He put things together in the Blue Grass and has a lot of tactical speed that should play to his advantage in the Derby.”

HIT SHOW April 29 - 59.60 Breezing 4/54 CD dirt fast VIDEO

VERIFYING April 29 - 59.40 Breezing 2/54 CD dirt fast VIDEO

Trainer Cox said,  “They were both pretty straightforward moves. We’re one week out from the race and they are important works but we didn’t want to ask them to do too much. They did it on their own and did what we needed to see going into the Derby.”

CONFIDENCE GAME

APRIL 21 COMMENTS: It was Friday, April 21, seven days after Confidence Game's most recent breeze with with rain forecast the next day in Louisville. He didn't work that day, and Churchill Downs publicity reported his next work "is still to be determined." The colt was actively training, according to the report. Saturday came and went with hardly anything putting in workouts on a muddy track. But then Sunday, which was beautiful, came and went too, with Confidence Game again absent from the worktab nine days after his last breeze.

APRIL 29 NOTE: Confidence Game made quick work of his breeze going solo under James Graham. He was really reaching out in the stretch, timed in 59 flat for five furlongs. He ran through the finish line strongly and galloped out hard. Brandon Stauble got him out six furlongs in 1:11 and change, much faster than the watch on the track clockers. Confidence Game galloped nearly to the top of the backstretch. Fractions per Churchill Downs clockers were 23.00, a blazing 34.40, and out six in 1:13.40, much slower than Stauble got him. The work was inspiring, but does it mean he's ready for 8.5 furlongs, 9 furlongs or 10 furlongs? He's never raced beyond 8.5.

April 8 - 1.00:40 Breezing 5/28 CD dirt fast

April 14 - 1.38:20 Breezing gate 1/1 CD dirt fast

Splits: 24.60, 36.00, 47.80, 1:00.20, 1:13.00 and 1:25.60; out 1 1/4 mile in 2:05.80. Per Churchill Downs he worked in company with two horses in tandem. James Graham was on board for the work.

April 29 - 59:00 Breezing 1/54 CD dirt fast  VIDEO

“That beautiful breeze you saw was his last real preparation,” Desormeaux said. “And it was awesome. I heard he galloped out one mile and one-sixteenth in 1:43. He walked back to the barn with steady controlled breathing and he was relaxed cooling out. We just need to keep him happy and limber, school him in the paddock this week, enjoy the process and we’re ready.”

SUN THUNDER

COMMENTS: As of Sunday, April 23, Sun Thunder hadn't breezed since he finished fourth in the Blue Grass on April 8. There's no word from his stable, which I generally view as a negative in this context.

APRIL 26 NOTE: This was a straightforward workout but with blinkers added for the move and for the Derby. A couple of days ago Sun Thunder was reportedly galloping strongly around the track with blinkers. He had his ears pricked and was moving well as he galloped up the backstretch after the timed move. A good-looking workout.

MAY 2 NOTE: The first half-mile was timed in 24.00, so he finished in 23.80. Nicely done with blinkers on again. He was out five furlongs in 1:01.40. Visually there was nothing untoward about the breeze, everything went well. He continues to work and gallop with his ears pricked a lot, a good sign for him.

April 26 - 48.60 Breezing 10/40 CD dirt fast  VIDEO

Jockey Hernandez said, “He pretty much just clipped 12s the whole way around. They added blinkers to him this morning, and that seems to make him want to go forward, and kind of get into things a little earlier than he did before the blinkers. He finished in 48 and 3 with a good gallop out. Everybody kind of bunched up (in the Louisiana Derby), and it wasn’t the right kind of setup for him. Here in the Derby, we’re hoping to get a little pace in front of us, and hopefully by the time we get to the second turn, things will start to spread out, and we can make our run. He’s still a lightly raced horse, and he’s going to get better and better with each race. That’s the nice thing about riding for Kenny: These guys do such a good job here at the barns, and give us live horses. I’m fortunate that Kenny trusts me, so I can go out and just ride my race.”

May 2 - Sun Thunder 47:80 Breezing 3/20 CD dirt fast VIDEO

He breezed four furlongs with blinkers on under Brian Hernandez Jr., who will ride him in the Derby. Trainer McPeek said, “It was just a maintenance half for him. Brian was happy with him. He was going evenly, that’s what we wanted.”

MAGE

APRIL 16/22 NOTES: Mage is still a bit green, but he has talent and stamina. As poorly as he gets away from the starting gate maybe a gate work would benefit him, but his trainer knows a lot more about him that we do here at TDP. Reports from Gulfstream Park don't include internal fractions for either of the works that came after Mage finished second in the April 1 Florida Derby.

Review of the April 16 video shows Mage working solo, which I like. The move itself isn't flashy, but the gallop-out was an extended, workmanlike exhibition indicating he came out of the Florida Derby 15 days earlier in good shape. This was on a track with a 1 1/8-mile circumference. Churchill's oval is one mile.

Review of the April 22 video shows him solo again. He's a horse that isn't the prettiest mover, and the workout was slow, but again his gallop-out up the backstretch looks like it's going on and on and on when the camera operator annoyingly cuts off the video. At that point he'd already run a mile from the start of the breeze. According to DRF's Mike Welsch, Mage's gallop-out for the mile was timed on his watch in 1:40.98 and another furlong in 1:54.40 while remaining well off the rail.

APRIL 29 NOTE: Mage breezed solo in a very slow six-furlong time that mimics his lack of early speed during races while well out on the track. As I type this, I'm interested in seeing what the internal fractions were because he really started picking up his feet as he got into the move, and he galloped out well into the backstretch. Another good work here at Churchill Downs today. Okay, fractions per Churchill Downs clockers were 27.40, 40.00 (internal time 12.60), 52.20 (internal time 12.20), 1:16.80 (internal time for two furlongs 24.60). He was out seven furlongs in a leisurely 1:30.20. Viewed another way, with the work timed in 1:16.80, and if we subtract 27.40 (the first two furlongs), the final four furlongs went in 49.40.

April 16 - 1.01:09 Breezing 5/20 GP dirt fast  VIDEO

Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant trainer to his father: “What we usually do after a big race like we had, we try to go nice and easy. That seems to be what he did today. If the weather stays like this here, he may have another work here. It will all depend on how he behaves. We already know what we have.”

April 22 - 1.14.78 Breezing 1/1 GP dirt fast  VIDEO
Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said, “He worked good. We liked what we saw. Everything is going to plan, Thank God. We just want him to get to know the track (in Louisville). We don’t expect to do very much there, fitness-wise. He should be ready after this work. Every day is crucial. We’ll take it day by day, but we like the position we’re in right now." Mage doesn't yet have a jockey assignment for the Derby. I get the feeling some of the prospects might already have a horse but are waiting to see if it defects from or doesn't get in the Derby. Luis Saez, who will ride Tapit Trice in the Kentucky Derby, was on Mage in the Florida Derby.

April 29 - 1.16:80 Breezing 1/1 CD dirt fast  VIDEO

Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said, “This workout was much like his previous workouts, but it was slower and he covered more ground. That was the plan. And it was mission accomplished, as you might say. We already know that he’s a fast horse, but now we’re training him for stamina. That’s pretty much the plan. The way he was traveling, he gave us a good feeling that he likes the track. (The exercise rider) said he liked everything about it, the track, the work, the way he came back, all are good signs. He’ll walk tomorrow, and Monday he’ll jog and we’ll bring him to the gate. We’ll probably bring him back to the gate either Thursday or Friday. Pretty much the heavy work is done. A talented horse that’s feeling good, it’s all you need for the race. We believe that he’s building the stamina needed for a mile-and-a-quarter.”

DISARM

COMMENT: I expected him to work again the weekend before the Kentucky Derby, but he breezed on April 24.

APRIL 24 NOTE: The breeze on April 24 was good. It's not unusual for trainer Asmussen to work a horse nine days after a race, but this one was particularly important and probably used as a gauge of Disarm's readiness for the Kentucky Derby. How often does an Asmussen trainee work five furlongs in a minute flat? We are more used to seeing 1:01 or even 1:02. Disarm didn't show signs of being tired and in fact the colt literally ran all the way to the track kitchen, located just inside the start of the far turn, in his gallop-out. He moved up in my book with this move, which looked like his major workout for the Kentucky Derby. Internal fractions were 13.20, 12.20, 11.20, 11.80 around the turn, and 11.60 the final furlong to the wire.

MAY 1 NOTE: The first quarter went in 25.00, so he finished in 24.20. Disarm again looked focused and well within himself today as he went about his business, getting in a final maintenance move for the Kentucky Derby. Nothing about the work is of concern.

April 3 - 50:60 Breezing 18/18 CD dirt fast
April 10 - 50:20 Breezing 8/11 CD dirt fast

April 24 - 1:00.00 Breezing 1/18 CD dirt fast  VIDEO   JOEL ROSARIO VIDEO   STEVE ASMUSSEN VIDEO

Disarm ran initial fractions of 13.20, 25.40, 36.60 and 48.40. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20 and seven in 1:26.60 according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols and the morning works show.

Jockey Rosario said, “I thought he worked really well this morning coming out of the Lexington. He was well within himself the entire work. He looks a lot like his sire (Gun Runner). He’s built bigger than he (Disarm) is but looking at him they have a lot of the same traits.”

Trainer Asmussen said, “He’s a very durable horse and I think the best is yet to come from him. He’s a horse we missed a little time with over the winter and we’re behind schedule. The one opportunity for a points race was the Louisiana Derby. He ran solid but needed more points to get in it. He’s a horse we definitely didn’t want to miss this opportunity with. We were looking for a little sense of direction in his work this morning. I think he’s not given us everything to this point and there’s more in the tank. I like how he accelerated to the wire and got over the racetrack nicely.”

May 1- 49.20 Breezing 15/30 CD dirt fast VIDEO

Any available quotes will be added later today.

REINCARNATE

APRIL 16 NOTE: Reincarnate, who's always raced with blinkers, works with them too. His April 16 breeze was in company with American Admiral on the outside and the first one after his disappointing third in the April 1 Arkansas Derby. The gallop-out was mild.

April 22 NOTE: Trainer Yakteen was a man of few words following Reincarnate's April 22 breeze.On April 22 he was inside his company, Westward Look, and outworked his outmatched mate by about six lengths, which might help Reincarnate's confidence. Like the April 16 breeze, the rider briefly scrubbed at his neck at the wire, but the gallop-out doesn't look energetic.

APRIL 28 NOTE: This was a three-way work where the third horse came running at the other two off the turn, but without the intended effect, as he was unable to keep up. The idea behind the work is not easy to discern, but it could signal Reincarnate will be the pacesetter or part of the early pace, something former trainer Baffert has used as a weapon in many a Kentucky Derby. Based on his past performances, Reincarnate is highly unlikely to drop way back early. Competitors better take notice.

April 16 - 1:00.00 Handily 12/99 SA dirt fast  VIDEO
April 22 - 1.01:00 Handily 7/16 SA dirt fast  VIDEO

Trainer Yakteen said the next day, “He worked great. Looked really good this morning."

April 28 - 46:40 Handily 1/31 SA dirt fast  VIDEO

Trainer Yakteen said, “Reincarnate went great. He had some outside company and looked really nice. Knock on wood, but we should be all set.”

JACE'S ROAD made the Derby field the day these notes were posted. His workouts appear above with Angel of Empire.

SKINNER - SCRATCHED

APRIL 27 COMMENT: Skinner became eligible for the Kentucky Derby today when an injury knocked Wild on Ice out of the race. Skinner has shown talent coming from off the pace wide in big races, but his acceleration wasn't quite enough to carry him to the winner's circle.

APRIL 27 NOTE: His April 23 solo, six-furlong workout was the second since he finished third in the Santa Anita Derby. The move looked good with plenty of energy. Skinner ran through the wire but was not asked for much in the gallop-out.

APRIL 29 NOTE: The gallop-out was more vigorous in this move than it was on April 23, but we don't get to see how far he ran before the video ends. This looked like a good maintenance move, and Skinner should be ready for shipping to Kentucky. Juan Hernandez, who will ride Skinner for this first time in the Kentucky Derby, was aboard.

April 17 - 48:00 Handily 19/70 SA dirt fast

April 23 - 1:13.40 Handily 1/3 SA dirt fast   VIDEO

Under Victor Espinoza, Skinner went solo and broke off at the six-furlong pole. Trainer Shirreffs said, “Victor worked him perfect. He went the first furlong in 13 seconds and change and gradually picked it up at every pole. I got him the last eighth of a mile in 11 seconds. Could have been 11 and a tick. He finished full of run. (As for the Derby) if we’re not in, why would we go? It’s a tough decision to make to go all the way there and then not get in. We’ll keep Skinner on his schedule. If we hear something early enough, we’d go. But if we don’t, I don’t know. I’ve been there before sitting on the outside and didn’t get to run.”

April 29 - 1.14:00 Handily 3/3 SA dirt fast   VIDEO

Trainer Shirreffs said, “I was very happy with how he worked. We wanted another work like last week. We wanted to start off easy and finish strong with a good gallop-out. Keep him thinking about finishing. Juan (Hernandez) said he thought the horse was very professional and did everything right. He finished up his last eighth in 11 and 2."

CONTINUAR -SCRATCHED

APRIL 26 NOTE: The April 26 move appeared lackluster, and the rider applied the whip in the stretch, but maybe that's how they do it in Japan. The final fractions look better than the work did visually, but he couldn't keep up with Derma Sotogake, his workmate. He's expected to breezed again Wednesday of Derby week.

April 26 - 50:00 Breezing 30/40 CD dirt fast  VIDEO
The work was in company with Derma Sotogake and ended at the finish line. Both broke off from the four-furlong marker. His splits were 13.80, 26.40, 38.20, 50.00. Internal fractions were 13.80, 12.60, 11.80, 11.80. Kate Hunter, the Japan Racing Association representative for the Kentucky Derby, said that both riders were happy with the works, with Derma Sotogake's rider pleased with the response in the stretch. Breaking off at the half-mile pole, Continuar was three lengths in front. By the head of the stretch, Derma Sotogake had drawn even and was clear at the wire.

CYCLONE MISCHIEF

APRIL 23 NOTE: Cyclone Mischief ran initial fractions of 12.20, 24.20 and 36.20. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.00, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

APRIL 29 NOTE: Cyclone Mischief worked solo with fractions of 12.00, 23.40, 36.00 and out six in 1:14.60. The work was uneventful and pretty much a clone of the April 23 workout. He needed one defection to make the Kentucky Derby. A slow out time as measured by the clockers, but he would be a pace factor in the Derby as a stablemate of Angel of Empire.

WORKOUTS

April 15 - 52.60 Breezing 99/99 CD dirt fast

April 23 - 1:01.00  Breezing 11/41 CD dirt fast VIDEO
Trainer Romans said, “I hope we can get him in the Derby. I thought he worked great this morning.”

April 29 - 1.00:80 Breezing 16/54 CD dirt fast VIDEO UNAVAILABLE

Trainer Romans said, “He looked really good, now all we can do is wait and see. He’s been training great. If he gets in, they’ll know he’s in there.”

MANDARIN HERO

April 26 - Mandarin Hero 1.04:60 Handily 9/10 SA dirt fast

May 2 - Mandarin Hero (JPN) (AE) 1.05:60 Breezing 15/15 CD dirt fast
Connections comments are not available. Initial fractions were 13.80 and 38.00.

I cannot locate videos for either of these super-slow workouts, but if I could would it help to watch them??

KING RUSSELL

April 16 - 1:03.20 Breezing 16/18 CD dirt fast

April 29 - 47.80 Breezing 10/149 CD dirt fast  VIDEOS UNAVAILABLE

King Rusell maiden-breaker