Daily Racing Form - Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Watching EMPIRE MAKER jogging over the racetrack shortly after dawn on Thursday morning was a welcome sight for his legion of supporters. Doesn't have the prettiest way of going when he jogs but he moved along willingly and seemingly unaffected by the foot bruise which has had the entire racing world holding their collective breaths over the past 48 hours.

The appearance of Empire Maker highlighted Thursday's activity which also included the first local sighting of FUNNY CIDE who arrived from New York late Wednesday afternoon. OUTTA HERE was the only Derby starter to really stretch his legs, blowing out a quarter mile down the stretch in :24.20 seconds.

With all the major preparatory work complete, time has come to assess all 17 Derby hopefuls from observations made during the past nine days of training.

ATSWHATIMTALKNBOUT
Has been eager to train each morning, tossing his head and playing around when entering the track and is obviously feeling quite good about himself at the moment. Turned in one of the best Derby preps, working five furlongs in :59.54 with the blinkers on Sunday morning before galloping out in a strong 1:12.41. Has seen his form tail off in his last two starts but seems more focused now with the addition of blinkers. Must be considered one of the major contenders.

BRANCUSI
Has trained in the relatively anonymity of Keeneland and had an unconventional final Derby prep over the turf, an easy mile move in 1:44.68 during which he simply galloped around to the eighth pole before finishing very willingly when put to mild urging through the final furlong. Looks good, is on the improve and should be regarded among the major longshot threats.

BUDDY GIL
Flew a little under the radar gun this week, doing most of his training before dawn. Did emerge from the dark to work a sharp five furlongs on Monday under jockey Gary Stevens, going in :59.85 while equipped in rings and under little to no pressure. Can't leave him out of the mix.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE
Has looked a bit short strided during his gallops since becoming a Derby candidate after being purchased privately earlier in the week. If Baffert didn't think he was good enough to compete in this Derby, why should we?

EMPIRE MAKER
Until coming down with a minor foot bruise on Tuesday it was hard to find fault with the Derby favorite whose gallops have been strong and and his final work extremely impressive. A six furlong drill completed around the turn in 1:12.72 in which he outfinished his stakes winning stablemate Requete while seemingly doing little more than open galloping. Obviously the foot problem has hung a cloud over his head although if anything will likely elevate his final price. Have confidence that he won't start if he's not 100 per cent and if he does start he's still the one to beat.

EYE OF THE TIGER
Would have had to do something dazzling this week to merit serious consideration and he didn't. Appeared to take a couple of bad steps near the quarter pole while working five-eighths in 1:01.21 on Monday and may not be overly fond of the strip.

FUNNY CIDE
One of the mystery horses having arrived on the scene late Wednesday. Did look well on the track Thursday morning and reportedly turned in a sensational five furlong work at Belmont earlier this week. Finished just behind Empire Maker in the Wood. A definite factor.

INDIAN EXPRESS
Put together two strong works within a five day span and may be coming up to his best yet in the Derby. Easily handled stablemate Kafwain while under cruise control in both of those works and was merely breezing when going five-eighths in :59.72 on Tuesday before galloping out in a solid 1:12.81. Looks dangerous if allowed to relax on an early lead ala trainer Bob Baffert's reigning Derby champion War Emblem.

LONE STAR SKY
Can't fault his final Derby work, an easy five furlongs in 1:00.58 on Tuesday although his gallop out(1:14) was nothing special. Not expecting to see the kind of improvement necessary to put him in the class with many of these.

OFFLEE WILD
Has logged a lot of strong miles in the morning playing catch up since getting sick in Florida this winter. On the watch he was impressive going five furlongs in :59.16 here Tuesday but must be concerned by the way he continues to drift off the rail during his works, jockey Robbie Alberado having to take a handful of left rein to keep him from getting out even further during the final furlong of that work.

OUTTA HERE
Has the looks of a horse trying to recover from his long trip to Dubai. Haven't seen anything that would suggest he'll be among the contenders.

PEACE RULES
Is a handful to jog and gallop in the morning although his lone Derby prep did not go as planned. Most notably during the latter stages when he began to drift out noticeably coming to the wire and even further after his rider took a firm hold while completing the work into the clubhouse turn. Must wonder if his final work was just an aboration or an indication he has gone a bit over the top.

SCRIMSHAW
Has not trained in the same manner as 2002 Lexington winner Proud Citizen who ultimately finished second in last year's Derby. Seemed to be galloping well enough from what can be seen under the cloak of darkness but his lone work was very un-Proud Citizen like, five furlongs in 1:02 with an uninspiring finish and almost non-existent gallop out. Not expecting the same kind of performance as we did from last year's Lexington hero.

SIR CHEROKEE
Did most of his training at Trackside but made a favorable impression when working over this track on Tuesday going an easy five eighths in 1:00.38 although would have liked to have seen a little stronger gallop out than 1:14.08. Seems to be holding up well since career best effort in the Arkansas Derby and eligible to be along for at least a share at a square price.

SUPAH BLITZ
Has looked relaxed but strong in his gallops and did work a very fast half mile when hooking up with some unexpected company on Tuesday, completing his final quarter in :22 and change. Had the misfortune to draw a very unfavorable post. Probably a minor player at best.

TEN CENTS A SHINE
Balked in his first attempt to work then had trouble getting past his stablemate, a maiden racing on the Derby undercard, in his final prep which while very fast(58.72) on the watch was not as impressive visually. Doesn't seem to belong in here.

TEN MOST WANTED
The now horse of this year's Derby. Has trained as well and as consistently as anybody here over the past 10 days. Was predictably rank and got away a little quick in Monday's final prep but was able to gather himself and finish strong with long, powerful, ground consuming strides. Looked like a million bucks galloping on Thursday. The only fault we can find with him is the price as he's certain to be grossly overbet and a solid second choice behind Empire Maker.