LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When it was mentioned to trainer Chad Brown that Highly Motivated was starting to get some buzz on the backstretch at Churchill Downs leading into next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, the four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer was all smiles.
“If you’re talking about a horse having a good chance, it’s a conversation I want to be in rather than someone talking about a horse that’s not training well,” Brown said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The connections for Brooklyn Strong have indicated a desire to run in the Kentucky Derby if their New York-bred gelding can make it into the field by Tuesday.
With the defection of Get Her Number on Saturday afternoon, Brooklyn Strong, with 10 qualifying points, moves up to 21st on the list of horses still under consideration for the Derby. He would need one defection between Saturday and Tuesday morning's draw to make the body of the field. Starrininmydreams is now 22nd on the list.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Rock Your World solidified his role as legitimate Kentucky Derby contender with a solid five-furlong team work Saturday morning at Santa Anita, the colt’s final work before leaving for Kentucky.
Winner of the Santa Anita Derby by more than four lengths in just his third start for trainer John Sadler, undefeated Rock Your World worked in company after the 6:30 a.m. break Saturday, under exercise rider Cerapio Figueroa.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Arkansas Derby, on April 10 this year, was the last major Kentucky Derby prep, and since Super Stock won the Arkansas Derby just two weeks ago, the tenor of his final Derby workout Saturday at Churchill Downs was relatively muted.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Essential Quality, who has won all his races and will almost certainly be the Kentucky Derby favorite, and Mandaloun, soundly defeated last out as the favorite in the Louisiana Derby, put in their final Derby works Saturday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox.
Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Like the King turned in his final serious work for the Derby on Saturday morning at his Keeneland home base.
The colt, under regular work rider Julio Garcia, broke off two lengths behind stablemate Artie’s Princess, who earlier this month was named Canada’s champion female sprinter of 2020. Like the King collared his workmate easily in the stretch and was edging clear at the wire as Keeneland clockers credited him with five furlongs in 1:01. The duo galloped out in 1:15.40.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - While trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with what he saw from all four of his 3-year-olds Friday morning when they put in their final workouts at Churchill Downs for the May 1 Kentucky Derby, there was one move in particular that seemed to stand out.
Hozier was declared out of the Kentucky Derby as the field continues to shift with one week remaining before the May 1 classic.
Hozier, who is trained by Bob Baffert for the multi-pronged partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson, had been second in the Rebel Stakes, but sixth in the Arkansas Derby. He had worked six furlongs in "lackluster" fashion on Friday morning at Churchill Downs, in the eyes of Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch.
Churchill Downs
Weather: Cloudy
Track: Fast
Temp: 43
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In sharp contrast to the previous several days, action was fast and furious on the Kentucky Derby/Oaks front Friday morning at Churchill Downs, with 10 potential Derby starters and seven Oaks candidates, including three of the likely top five betting choices, getting in their final serious preps.
