ARCADIA, Calif. - Several hours apart on Saturday, well-accomplished 4-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert were in action at Santa Anita. One is being prepared for a highly anticipated campaign in the second half of 2024, while the other is attempting to establish a meaningful role in the older male division.

On Saturday morning, Arabian Knight, winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar last September but unraced since a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November, worked a half-mile in 50 seconds, his second workout of the year.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As expected, Deterministic will not run in the Kentucky Derby, his connections made official on Sunday, opening up a spot for Florida Derby third-place finisher Grand Mo the First.

Deterministic, who earned enough qualifying points to get into the Kentucky Derby by virtue of his victory in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on March 2, finished eighth in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 6 with no apparent excuse.

Churchill Downs
Sunday, April 21

Weather: Cloudy 
Track: Fast 
Temperature: 45 degrees

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -   Anybody wanting to see what little action there was on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks front Sunday at Churchill Downs needed to arrive early and would have been wise to have brought an extra jacket. The temperature was hovering in the mid-40s from the time the track opened at 5:15 a.m. until it closed for business following turf works nearly five hours later.

Manama Gold's career journey has taken her from her birthplace in Louisiana to changing hands at sales in Kentucky and Florida, to the Middle East to begin her career – and now, to Churchill Downs, potentially for a major event.

Trainer Todd Pletcher told Churchill Downs publicity on Sunday that Manama Gold, who won the Group 3 UAE Oaks in her most recent outing, has been transferred to his care, and is “possible” to supplement to the Kentucky Oaks. The filly is scheduled to arrive at his Churchill Downs barn on Monday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold worked a half-mile in a quick 46.60 seconds on Saturday in advance of a flight to Kentucky on Tuesday for an intended start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Working behind stablemate Shady Tiger, a stakes winner against California-bred sprinters on April 6, Stronghold closed through the stretch to finish slightly in front. Antonio Fresu, who has ridden Stronghold in his last four starts, was aboard for the workout, the colt’s first since the win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 6.

Churchill Downs
Saturday, April 20
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 48 
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Saturday morning was a busy one under the Twin Spires, not only for potential Kentucky Derby starters but the general population as well. Seven Derby hopefuls got in what, for most, will be their penultimate works for the big event now just two weeks away as part of a clocker’s tab that included over 210 names when the final drill went in the books shortly before 10 a.m.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Sierra Leone had his first of two planned works before the Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning at Keeneland, breezing four furlongs in 48.60 seconds.

Amr Zedan, owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth, has filed an appeal of a Kentucky Circuit Court ruling issued Thursday that denied his request for a temporary injunction against a ban by Churchill Downs of Muth’s trainer, Bob Baffert.

A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge in Kentucky has denied a request for a temporary injunction that was being sought by the owner Amr Zedan that would have allowed his horse Muth to start in this year’s Kentucky Derby despite a ban by Churchill Downs on the colt’s trainer, Bob Baffert.