LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The sun was shining bright on the old Kentucky home of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, when Churchill Downs began its spring meeting with plenty of action in the morning and the afternoon on a warm, summer-like day. The day here commenced with workouts for five of the 20 horses scheduled to run in the 135th Derby next Saturday and concluded with the Grade 3, $100,000 Derby Trial, which has become more of a trial in recent years for the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Every trainer has a different approach to preparing a horse for the Kentucky Derby, and Saturday morning proved a contrast in both methodology and performance at Churchill Downs where five 3-year-olds turned in their final Derby workouts.

Churchill Downs

Sunny, 73 degrees, Track Fast

The Godolphin pair of Desert Party and Regal Ransom were definitely the stars of the day but were a contrast in styles themselves despite turning in similar work and gallop-out times.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There was Kentucky Derby news on three fronts Saturday morning, with Quality Road jogging to test his injured quarter cracks at Belmont Park in New York, Dunkirk working at Palm Meadows, and five Derby contenders turning in their final drills here at Churchill Downs.

Quality Road, the Florida Derby winner, jogged 1 3/4 miles on Belmont's training track. Ian McKinlay, the foot specialist who is treating the colt, told owner Ned Evans, "No blood, he's sound. You can't ask for more than that."

ELMONT, N.Y. - Just when it seemed Quality Road had overcome a quarter crack in his right hind foot, another crack has developed on the inside part of his right front foot, once again putting his status for the May 2 Kentucky Derby in jeopardy.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens had planned to work Quality Road at Belmont Park on Saturday but now will put that off to at the earliest Sunday, but most likely Monday. Quality Road, who would be one of the Derby favorites based on victories in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, is scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Tuesday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For all his success, and there has been plenty, trainer Jeff Mullins has long been dogged by questions over his methods. He has racked up major wins, as well as fines and suspensions. Sometimes, as happened three weeks ago, he lands uncomfortably atop that tightrope.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Both the weather and the activity level coming into Kentucky Derby 135 are really beginning to heat up at Churchill Downs, where the temperature rose into the 70s before the end of training hours on Friday morning.

There was only one Derby horse on Friday's clocker tab, Summer Bird, but there was plenty to see on the racetrack as prospective members of the field continue to arrive on a daily basis.

Churchill Downs

Clear, track fast, 67 degrees

ELMONT, N.Y. - After getting over a quarter crack on his right hind foot, Quality Road has developed a quarter crack on his right front foot that puts his status for the May 2 Kentucky Derby in doubt.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens canceled Saturday's scheduled workout at Belmont Park and said Friday morning that if the horse could not breeze by Monday "then it looks like we won't be able to go."

Based on victories in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, Quality Road figured to be one of the Derby favorites.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Setting the alarm clock early paid real dividends on Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, in light of the fact that the vast majority of the Kentucky Derby contenders were out and back to the barn by 7:45 a.m. including the session's lone worker, General Quarters. Much of that activity took place during the morning's first two sets, which are completed before sunrise.

Churchill Downs

Clear, track fast, 52 degrees

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - As inevitably happens when several trainers choose to work their Kentucky Derby starters on the same morning, they also choose to send them out at almost exactly the same time. Such was the case here at Churchill Downs on Tuesday when four potential Derby runners all worked within approximately a five-minute span following the renovation break. Three of the four - Pioneerof the Nile, I Want Revenge, and Flying Private - worked simultaneously, with Chocolate Candy completing the hectic session several minutes later.

Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Rain was the major story at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. There was enough rain to temporarily close the racetrack for approximately 30 minutes just before dawn to repair several washed-out spots on the course.

Fortunately, the track was reopened at 7:15 a.m., then it was business as usual, with each of the nine likely Kentucky Derby starters currently stabled on the grounds able to get in some exercise in one form or another despite the weather conditions.

Churchill Downs

Showery, track sloppy, 52 degrees