HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – J P’s Gusto donned blinkers for a Thursday workout at Oaklawn Park and after he breezed five furlongs in a bullet 58.60 seconds his trainer, Joe Petalino, said he would add the equipment for his next start. Thursday afternoon Petalino confirmed J P's Gusto's next race will be the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail

Two European-trained horses are under consideration for the Kentucky Derby – War Pact and Master of Hounds.

The Bronx-born Joseph Allen nominated War Pact, his Kentucky-bred son of War Front, to the Triple Crown on Wednesday. Two-for-three on Fibresand at Deauville and Cagnes-sur-Mer, War Pact is ineligible for the European classics because he is a gelding.

“He will run in the Prix de Suresnes at Maisons-Laffitte on April 18,” said his trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, on Thursday. “After that we will make a decision about America.”

Trainer Shug McGaughey said that Data Link will be heading to Kentucky for the Grade 1 Blue Grass shortly after the steadily improving 3-year-old worked an easy three furlongs in 38.40 seconds here at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday.

Data Link, a 3-year-old son of War Front, has won his last three starts, including a maiden special weight and entry-level allowance race here this winter. All three of those victories have come on the grass.

“He’ll ship this weekend,” said McGaughey. “I just wanted to give him an easy work this morning before he goes.”

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Elite Alex, the well-regarded 3-year-old who finished fourth in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby last Saturday, is back at his Oaklawn base and pointing for the Arkansas Derby, said his trainer, Tim Ritchey.

“He’ll have a breeze or two before he would run in it, and as long as everything’s okay, we’re certainly going to try it,” said Ritchey.

DRF COVERAGE: Uncle Mo heads list of 364 Triple Crown nominees | Thirteen late nominations

ORIGINAL NOMINEES | Jump to: Late nominees

ARCADIA, Calif. – With or without Jaycito, the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9 is likely to have a large field.

As of Wednesday, there were 11 probable starters for the West Coast’s leading prep for the Kentucky Derby, a list that tentatively includes Jaycito, the winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes last year and the runner-up in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in his 3-year-old debut on March 12.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Flashpoint is scheduled to run Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The question is will he go postward as the odds-on favorite in the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Swale or as the one to catch later that afternoon in the $1 million Florida Derby?

Led by Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go and Swift Warrior, winner of the Rushaway Stakes last Saturday at Turfway Park, a total of 13 horses have been made late nominees to the Triple Crown, it was announced Wednesday by Churchill Downs, home of the first leg of the Triple Crown, the May 7 Kentucky Derby.