LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Though no official announcement has yet been made, jockey Garrett Gomez is expected to ride Master of Hounds if the Irish-based colt, as expected, ships to Kentucky next Tuesday for the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

Master of Hounds was not entered in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday. According to a spokesman for owner Coolmore Stud, the plan has been for Master of Hounds, who is trained by Aidan O'Brien, to ship here on Tuesday from Ireland.

Entries for the Derby are to be taken Wednesday.

Fountain of Youth winner Soldat worked four furlongs in 49 seconds early Friday at the Palm Meadows training center in Boynton Beach in his final prep for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

With no official clocker on hand, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported Soldat went his opening quarter in 25 and came home in 24 before galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.40 and pulling up six furlongs in 1:15.80.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The California Horse Racing Board has launched a 45-day public comment period on a controversial rule change that would void a claim when a claimed horse suffered a fatality during the running of a race or before returning to be unsaddled.

The racing board heard a spirited debate on the subject at its monthly meeting on Thursday. The public comment period is the first stage of a potential rule change. After comments are received, the board will hear the matter again, as soon as June, when a rule change could be the subject of a vote.

WHO’S HOT

The Jockey Club on Thursday released a detailed statement by its chief executive, Jim Gagliano, outlining the organization's support for the abolishment of rules that allow horses to be treated on raceday with the diuretic furosemide, known as Salix or Lasix.

Who is the horse to beat?

Brad Free: Dialed In. Mile and one-quarter ideal for improving colt, two-time Derby winner Zito knows how job gets done, low odds main knock.

Marcus Hersh: Dialed In. Win over the track, best overall 2011 form, master Derby trainer, the right running style, and likely ability to get the distance.

Among the surprising prep race winners, which one is for real?

Pants On Fire turned back the promising Nehro in the Louisiana Derby, and Archarcharch also outlasted Nehro in the Arkansas Derby. Nehro, who didn’t win a prep race, may be the most “for real” surprise of all.

Which prep race is most likely to be misinterpreted?

Not one of the most recent major prep races produced a winning Beyer Speed Figure of 100. How does that change the way you will handicap the Derby?

Which horse hasn't won a prep race but can win the Derby?

“Can” win offers a lot of latitude, and given that, I’ll say Nehro, Master of Hounds, and Santiva.