Daily Derby Update: Thursday, April 25, 2024

CATALYTIC – Tami Bobo, Julie Davies and George Isaacs’ Catalytic was back on the track Thursday with an energetic gallop going a mile-and-a-half under exercise rider Olaf Hernandez.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Catalytic arrived at Churchill Downs Monday morning after vanning from South Florida.

“He’s doing well,” said Tristan Ford, an assistant to Joseph, after the gallop. “Everyone is happy with the way he’s progressing.”

Catalytic, the Florida Derby (GI) runner-up behind probable Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness, is expected to work this weekend, possibly Sunday.

CATCHING FREEDOM/ENCINO/JUST A TOUCH – Trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio of Catching Freedom, Encino and Just a Touch had their normal training sessions Thursday at 7:30 a.m., all galloping 1 ½ miles.

The trio will train between 5:30-6:30 a.m. Friday and work at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

DOMESTIC PRODUCT/SIERRA LEONE – Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook Smith’s Sierra Leone galloped a mile and a half under Kriss Bon and for the second consecutive morning visited the starting gate.

“He did great this morning (at the gate),” trainer Chad Brown said of Sierra Leone, who delayed the start of the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) by being reluctant to load in the gate in front of the Keeneland grandstand.

Domestic Product, owned by Klaravich Stables, galloped a mile and a half under Peter Roman.

“He’s feelin’ good this morning,” Roman said after the morning’s activity was completed.

DORNOCH/SOCIETY MAN – West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables’

Dornoch galloped a mile and a half at 7:30 with Pricilla Schaefer aboard for trainer Danny Gargan.

Schaefer returned to the track at 9 with Gargan’s other Kentucky Derby hopeful, Society Man.

Owned by the partnership of Reeves Thoroughbreds, West Paces, GMP Stables and Carl and Yurie Pascarella. Society Man also galloped a mile and a half.

“He’s strong,” Gargan said as Society Man jogged past a viewing stand heading back to the barn. “He’s a bulldog now.”

ENDLESSLY – Amerman Racing’s Endlessly had a normal training day Thursday, galloping 1 ½ miles around 5:45 a.m.

 The winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) is scheduled to work Saturday.

FIERCENESS – Repole Stable’s homebred Fierceness, winner of the Florida Derby (GI) by 13 ½ lengths in his most recent start, galloped a mile and three-eighths under exercise rider Danny Wright for trainer Todd Pletcher.

The Eclipse Award winner as the champion 2-year-old of 2023, Fierceness is scheduled to work Friday morning at 7:30 with jockey John Velazquez aboard.

FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) – Susumu Fujita’s Forever Young (JPN) walked in the mile chute for about an hour under Yusaku Oka before returning the Quarantine Barn.

Forever Young worked six furlongs in 1:19.60 in company on Wednesday.

GRAND MO THE FIRST – Granpollo Stables’ Grand Mo the First was en route to Churchill Downs Thursday from Gulfstream Park. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. said Grand Mo the First was scheduled to arrive here around 9 o’clock tonight.

Grand Mo the First is scheduled to walk Friday and then go to the track Saturday.

HONOR MARIE – It was a busy morning outside trainer Whit Beckman’s Barn 37 as his Kentucky Derby hopeful Honor Marie completed his major training towards the first Saturday in May with a strong five-furlong move in :59.20 with jockey Ben Curtis in the irons.

“We can take one breath now that the work is over,” Beckman said about an hour after the 7:30 a.m. breeze. “He came back to the barn and everything was great. The work was great. It reminded me a lot of his work leading up to the Kentucky Jockey Club, except that work was over at (Churchill Downs’) Trackside.”

Honor Marie was partnered in his work with Agoo, a 3-year-old son of Munnings who won a maiden special weight in October at Keeneland. The duo started the move together through a swift opening quarter-mile of :23.80. As they reached the top of the stretch following three furlongs in :35.60, Honor Marie began to separate from his stablemate and completed his move four lengths in front at the wire. As he galloped out, Honor Marie continued to extend his margin and completed six furlongs in 1:12.60 and finished seven furlongs in 1:27.60, according to Churchill Downs Clocker John Nichols.

“Everyone keeps asking me about why I’m not working on a traditional schedule but I just train each horse individually and not have a certain schedule like every Friday or Saturday or Sunday they work,” Beckman said.

Honor Marie will have a scheduled walk day on Friday.

JUST STEEL – BC Stable’s Just Steel stayed with his traditional early training session and galloped 1 ½ miles Thursday morning for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

“We’re very fortunate to have some solid horses in the barn this year and in both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks (with Lemon Muffin) but I’ve got a great 2-year-old class getting ready to come in the barn,” Lukas said. “Derby 150 is special but we always have to keep thinking forward.”

Just Steel is scheduled to have one more work prior to the Kentucky Derby.

MYSTIK DAN – Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing and Daniel Hamby III’s Mystik Dan galloped the usual mile-and-a-half for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Mystik Dan, the winner of the Southwest (GIII) and most recently finished third in the Arkansas Derby (GI) at Oaklawn Park, is scheduled to work Saturday. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the Derby riding assignment.

RESILIENCE – Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman’s Resilience had an easy gallop at 7:30 Thursday morning.

Jockey Junior Alvarado has the mount in the Kentucky Derby and is scheduled to ride at Churchill Downs throughout Derby Week.

“It’s great to be here in Kentucky right now,” Alvarado said. “The (Bill Mott) barn has meant a lot for my career.”

STRONGHOLD – Eric and Sharon Waller’s Stronghold, trained by Phil D’Amato, galloped a mile and a half Thursday morning with the trainer’s wife, Sherri, aboard.

Winner of the Sunland Derby (GIII) and Santa Anita Derby (GI) in his two starts of 2024, Stronghold is scheduled work Sunday morning with Joe Talamo up.

“Sunday is looking like the best day,” D’Amato said of the schedule that is weather dependent.

T O PASSWORD (JPN) – Tomoya Ozasa’s Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby invitee T O Password is in quarantine in Chicago and scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs early Friday morning.

TRACK PHANTOM – Lecomte Stakes (GIII) winner Track Phantom returned to his early schedule Thursday for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, galloping about 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Roberto Howell at 5:45 a.m.

The son of Quality Road changed training schedules Wednesday when he visited the starting gate at 7:30 a.m. during the special Derby/Oaks training session.

WEST SARATOGA – Harry Veruchi’s West Saratoga galloped Thursday morning at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Trainer Larry Demeritte said West Saratoga would train Friday morning in Lexington and then ship to Churchill Downs with a 2 p.m. arrival anticipated.

Jesus Castanon is scheduled to be aboard for a three-furlong work here Saturday.

ALSO ELIGIBLES – Welch Racing’s Epic Ride, third in the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) in his most recent start, galloped this morning at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Trainer John Ennis said Epic Ride would train in the morning then ship to Churchill Downs Friday evening.

Adam Beschizza would have the Derby mount.

Trainer Jeff Engler reported Mugatu, fifth-place finisher of the Blue Grass, would arrive Friday and two-minute lick Saturday morning with jockey Joe Talamo in the irons.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Here are the horses (with jockeys and trainers) that are qualified for the Kentucky Derby and those on the also-eligible list (in alphabetical order with AEs listed last in preference order):

Catalytic (Jose Ortiz, Saffie Joseph Jr.); Catching Freedom (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox); Domestic Product (Irad Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown); Dornoch (Luis Saez, Danny Gargan); Encino (TBA, Brad Cox); Endlessly (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy); Fierceness (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Forever Young (JPN) (Ryusei Sakai, Yoshito Yahagi); Grand Mo the First (Emisael Jaramillo, Victor Barboza Jr.); Honor Marie (Ben Curtis, Whit Beckman); Just a Touch (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Just Steel (Keith Asmussen, Wayne Lukas); Mystik Dan (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Resilience (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott); Sierra Leone (Tyler Gaffalione, Chad Brown); Society Man (Frankie Dettori, Danny Gargan); Stronghold (Antonio Fresu, Phil D’Amato); T O Password (JPN) (Kazushi Kimura, Daisuke Takayanagi); Track Phantom (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen); West Saratoga (Jesus Castanon, Larry Demerritte).

Also Eligibles: Epic Ride (Adam Beschizza, John Ennis); Uncle Heavy (TBA, Butch Reid); Seize the Grey (TBA, Wayne Lukas); Mugatu (Joe Talamo, Jeff Engler).

LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE

GIN GIN/TARIFA – Calumet Farm’s Gin Gin along with Godolphin’s Tarifa both galloped about 1 ½ miles Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Both fillies are scheduled to work Friday at 7:30 a.m.

INTO CHAMPAGNE – Gulfstream Parks Oaks (GIII) third-place finisher Into Champagne had an easy mile-and-three-eighths gallop Thursday morning for trainer Ian Wilkes. After her gallop, Wilkes said he’s expecting to breeze her Friday.

“I’ll probably breeze her tomorrow (Friday), since it looks like there’s a chance for rain coming in later,” said Wilkes.

Over the years, Wilkes has trained several horses with champagne in their names — including Champagne Problems, a Grade III-winning earner of more than $400,000, Champagne Anyone, the 2019 Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) winner who finished fourth in the Kentucky Oaks, and Yes to Champagne.

“I’ve got a lot of alcoholic owners,” Wilkes joked. “I do have a lot of 2-year-olds coming along with champagne in their names. It’s fun, it’s great. The owners love it, y’know, and that’s the main thing.”

JUST F Y I – Champion filly Just F Y I had a 1 ½-mile gallop Thursday morning at 7:30.

The Bill Mott trainee is expected to be one of the favorites for the Longines Kentucky Oaks. “She’s a beautiful filly,” Mott said. “She feels good most days in her training and gets a lot out of it.'

LESLIE’S ROSE – Whisper Hill Farm’s Ashland (GI) winner Leslie’s Rose worked a half-mile in :49.40 on her own with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Getting into the work on her own shortly after coming on the track, Leslie’s Rose produced fractions of :13.20, :25.20 and :49.40 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.40 and three-quarters in 1:16.20.

“She worked really, really good,” said Ortiz, who has been aboard Leslie’s Rose in all four of her starts.

Pletcher said he was pleased with the work.

“I was very, very happy with it,” said Pletcher, a four-time Oaks winner. “She got over the ground well and galloped out strong.”

REGULATORY RISK/WAYS AND MEANS – Klaravich Stables’ Regulatory Risk and Ways and Means both galloped a mile and half for trainer Chad Brown.

Ways and Means galloped under Peter Roman before the first morning harrow break and is scheduled to work at 7:30 Friday morning.

Regulatory Risk galloped at 7:30 with Gudiel Alvarez in the boot and is scheduled to work Saturday at 7:30 with  Jose Ortiz up.

TAPIT JENALLIE – Willis Horton Racing’s Tapit Jenallie breezed a half-mile Thursday morning in preparation for the Oaks. Jockey Manny Esquivel guided the homebred daughter of Tapit for trainer Eddie Milligan Jr., and will get the call to ride her in the Oaks.

Working without company, Tapit Jenallie was timed in :49.40 with fractions of :12.80, :25, out in 1:02.40 and finishing up in 1:16.20, according to Churchill Downs Clocker Adam Wallace.

“She worked really well,” Milligan said as he held the shank while she got her cool down bath. “She did everything we wanted her to do this morning. The time was kind of where I thought she should be today. She just needed an easy breeze without taking too much out of her.

“Manny said she worked well. He rode her the last two times at Hot Springs (Oaklawn Park, third in the GII Fantasy and second in the GIII Honeybee), and she’s gotten somewhat better, and has grown quite a bit. She’s really doing great.”

THORPEDO ANNA – Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing’s Thorpedo Anna is scheduled to have her final major workout on Friday ahead of the Longines Kentucky Oaks for trainer Kenny McPeek.

    On Thursday, Thorpedo Anna galloped an easy mile-and-a-half. The Fast Anna filly is the winner of three of her four starts with Brian Hernandez Jr., most recently having captured the Fantasy (GII) in her first start this year.

WHERE’S MY RING – Michael McMillan’s Where’s My Ring jogged a mile before the first morning harrow break with exercise rider David Rodriguez aboard for trainer Val Brinkerhoff.

Winner of the Gazelle (GIII) in her most recent start, Where’s My Ring is scheduled to work a half-mile in the morning with Rodriguez up.

ALSO ELIGIBES – Victorious’ Manama Gold galloped a mile and three-eighths under  Jonathan Fabian Aguilar for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Pletcher said the UAE Oaks (GIII) winner would work in the morning before making a decision on her Oaks status.

Pletcher’s other Oaks hopeful, Eclipse Thoroughbreds Partners’ Candied, worked a half-mile in company with graded stakes-placed Scalable.

With jockey Luis Saez up, Candied worked to the outside of Scalable and produced fractions of :12.60, :24.20, :36.20 and :47.60 with a five-eighths gallop out of 1:00, three-quarters in 1:12.80 and seven-eighths in 1:27.40, according to Churchill Downs Clocker John Nichols.

“Very good, a good solid work,” Pletcher said. “She switched leads on cue and galloped out strong. I hope she gets in.”

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS – Here are the horses (with trainers) that are qualified for the Longines Kentucky Oaks and those on the also-eligible list (in alphabetical order with AEs listed last in preference order):

Everland (Abel Cedillo, Eric Foster); Fiona’s Magic (TBA, Bo Yates); Gin Gin (TBA, Brad Cox); Into Champagne (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes); Just F Y I (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott); Lemon Muffin (Keith Asmussen, Wayne Lukas); Leslie’s Rose (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Power Squeeze (Daniel Centeno, Jorge Delgado); Regulatory Risk (Jose Ortiz, Chad Brown); Tapit Jenallie (Manny Esquivel, Eddie Milligan Jr.); Tarifa (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox); Thorpedo Anna (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Ways and Means (Tyler Gaffalione, Chad Brown) and Where’s My Ring (Jose Lezcano, Val Brinkerhoff).

Also-Eligible: Manama Gold (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Our Pretty Woman (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen); Candied (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher)