2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Routine day of gallops before the big event

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 67 degrees

Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Monday proved to be a pretty quiet morning on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks watch with perhaps the most eventful moment taking place about 100 yards from the finish line where T O Password shied from a shadow on the track, nearly unseating his rider in the process while in the latter stages of his routine gallop.

Fortunately all ended well, with the lesser regarded of the two Japanese contenders in the 2024 Derby going on about his business as a prelude to a scheduled workout, in company with Forever Young, currently penciled in for Tuesday, weather permitting. There was more than a 90 percent chance of rain predicted for the local area Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday.

Otherwise, there was nothing very exciting to report on the Derby front. Fierceness was back galloping three days removed from his sensational work last Friday and looked none the worse for wear from that effort. Trainer Brad Cox’s potent Derby trio of Encino, Just a Touch, and Catching Freedom did little more than jog a mile just before the first renovation break as they came back from their final Derby drills just 48 hours earlier.

:: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more.

Endlessly came out early and looked sharp and very happy galloping out near the middle of the strip in preparation for his main-track debut Saturday. Grand Mo the First, who had all his serious Derby preparations at Gulfstream Park, had another long, leisurely gallop under the lights just before dawn.

Several members of the very deep Oaks field had themselves another good day, including morning-line favorite Tarifa, one of two fillies in the field for Cox along with Gin Gin. Others on that list included Gazelle winner Where’s My Ring, who came down the stretch at better than a two-minute clip looking full of energy in a mini-blowout during the special Oaks/Derby training session; Florida invader Power Squeeze, the upset winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks who made a very favorable appearance while continuing to acclimate herself to the local strip; and Fantasy winner Thorpedo Anna.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.