Kentucky Derby 2025: Tiztastic, Publisher lead workers across the state
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Led by Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic at Churchill Downs, four Kentucky Derby hopefuls turned in breezes around Kentucky on Saturday morning, with three weeks until their big engagement.
Tiztastic and Steve Asmussen-trained stablemate Publisher, runner-up in the Arkansas Derby, worked in the darkness at 5:45 a.m., on the main track rated fast. With Tiztastic and jockey Joel Rosario outside of Publisher and exercise rider Carlos Rosas, the pair turned in an opening quarter of 24.80 seconds, according to Churchill clockers, and clicked through the three furlongs in 36.60 before being credited with five furlongs in 1:00.80. They galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.40 and seven in 1:26.60.
“Both horses moved in here to Churchill nicely,” Asmussen told Churchill Downs. “With all of the weather we had in the area last week, it was nice to have a fast track to work over. I was extremely pleased with how they handled and traveled over the racetrack. They looked capable of doing more.”
Later in the morning at Churchill Downs, Jeff Ruby runner-up Flying Mohawk worked a half-mile in 50.80, going in company with 2024 Kentucky Derby eighth-place finisher Honor Marie. Jockey Joe Ramos was aboard Flying Mohawk for the work and will ride colt in the Kentucky Derby, according to trainer Whit Beckman.
Earlier in the morning, Beckman also sent out Kentucky Oaks hopefuls Drexel Hill and Simply Joking, who worked a half-mile together in 48.60.
Meanwhile, some 90 minutes northeast at Turfway Park, Louisiana Derby runner-up Chunk of Gold worked five furlongs on the Tapeta in 59.60 seconds, according to trainer Ethan West. Regular rider Jareth Loveberry was up for the move.
“Jareth came in town to work him and it was a really good move,” West said. “I had him 47 and change for a half-mile and he galloped out three-quarters in 1:12.”
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