Barnes has slipped in popularity, partly based on a disappointing blinkers-off workout Sunday at Santa Anita. Barnes was outworked by Rodriguez, a stablemate he defeated by more than nine lengths while finishing second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 1.

The tables turned in the workout. Barnes pressed Rodriguez from the outside, but Barnes could not get past his rival and pulled up soon after the finish while Rodriguez went another furlong. It was a puzzling work by Barnes, five furlongs in 1:00.

WHO’S HOT

Tiztastic delivered the performance of his career to win the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and give trainer Steve Asmussen a shot at his first Kentucky Derby victory with his 27th Derby starter. Tiztastic, 3 for 8, will train into the Derby. Tiztastic rejoins Derby Watch at 25-1 by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona.

Final Gambit wasn’t necessarily nominated to Turfway Park’s marquee card last Saturday with the intention of earning a Kentucky Derby berth.

Juddmonte general manager Garrett O’Rourke said trainer Brad Cox felt the homebred colt, who had made his three prior starts at a mile, would appreciate the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby, a Kentucky Derby prep. If he did not get into what was expected to be a full field, they would reroute to the Rushaway Stakes – a race that does not offer Derby points – at 1 1/16 miles.

Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope said he’s hoping for a field of nine to 12 horses for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby next Saturday. Entries for the 1 1/8-mile race will be drawn Sunday.

Arkansas Derby probables include Coal Battle and Speed King, who have won the meet’s first three preps for the Kentucky Derby, as well as Sandman and Bestfriend Rocket.

The Arkansas Derby will be showcased on a 13- or 14-race card, Pope said Friday. All of the races will be either stakes, overnight stakes, allowances, or maiden special weight races.

American Promise

Colt by Justify – Tapella, by Tapit

Bred in Kentucky by Candy Meadows ($750,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by BC Stables)

Who’s Hot

American Promise is hot, in theory. He crushed the Virginia Derby and has earned 55 qualifying points, which virtually guarantees a Kentucky Derby berth. But the reality is American Promise defeated a second-tier field in an ungraded stakes around one turn at Colonial Downs, which hardly makes him a bona fide Kentucky Derby contender. For now, the Virginia Derby merely puts American Promise on the Derby Watch Top 20 as a marginal candidate. American Promise opens at 30-1 by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona.