ARRIVALS AT CD / BARN NUMBERS / WORKOUTS

MAY 1: THESE NOTES ARE CONCLUDED. TRAINING HOURS ON OAKS AND DERBY DAYS WILL BE ABBREVIATED.

Arrival dates at Churchill Down, barn numbers, workouts.

Videos of workouts since the horse's last race are posted. Workouts are on fast dirt unless otherwise noted.

VIDEOS:  Workouts available on video since the horse's last race are being posted. We began locating and posting these on April 19. Videos produced by 1/ST (such as the Baeza, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez and Tappan Street workouts) may require you to sign in to a 1/ST account. There is no charge for setting up an account. If available we will post Youtube videos instead of 1/ST.

Includes a few horses that need defections to make the Derby field, and some of those may opt to go in other races. As of April 21 in Derby points order they are Neoequos, Render Judgment, Baeza and California Burrito.

Training hours at Churchill Downs initially are 5:30-10 with renovation breaks from 6:45-7:15 and 8:30-9. Beginning April 18 training from 5:15-10, the same renovation breaks, and a 7:15-7:30 window exclusively for Derby and Oaks contenders.

Admire Daytona: April 9 (Quarantine barn 1)

April 22 53:20 Breezing 33/33 CD - VIDEO - typical, expected slow breeze - solo - 13.00, 39.20 - “With only three (actually four) weeks between races, we just prepped him the same way we did in Dubai,” exercise rider/assistant trainer Yoshimitsu Miyashita said. “We let him decide what he wanted to do over the four furlongs. He increased his speed a bit in the straight on his own and really it was exactly like the kind of work he turned in prior to the UAE Derby. He has managed to maintain his pre-UAE Derby physical condition perfectly so we just have to help him keep it until race day.”

April 23: Scheduled walk day.

April 24:  Back on the race track today.

April 25: Admire Daytona had a routine morning of training that consisted of jogging in the one-mile chute before galloping.

April 26: He is scheduled to have a published workout Tuesday.

April 29 1.02:40 Breezing / CD - inside workmate Greatdayforhockey, a Dale Romans trainee whose highest Equibase figure is 71 - 13.40, 25.60, 49.40, out six in 116.20 - the type of move we have come to expect from Japanese trainers - "laps" as they say in Japan are 13.40, 12.20, next quarter in 23.80, out in another 13.80 - workmate stayed with him in gallop out - Trainer Kato said, “Up until now he’s been just training on his own just maintaining condition from Dubai. Today we wanted to train him in company to tighten the screws down and it was perfect. He is a horse that thrives off a challenge. We really appreciate Dale Romans helping us out today.”

April 30: Scheduled walk day.

May 1: He jogged in the one-mile chute.

American Promise: April 20, barn 44
March 25 59.80 Breezing 2/5 OP

April 1 59.20 Breezing 1/20 OP
April 9 59:40 Breezing 1/20 OP

April 18  1.25:20 Handily gate 1/1 OP - VIDEO - the rare "handily" workout at Oaklawn; seldom used outside California - In company with Bon Temps, under jockey Nik Juarez. Splits were 22.00, 33.60, 45.80, 57.80, 1:11.00. Bon Temps, a seven-race maiden, began dropping back on the turn and went five furlongs in :59.60. Trainer Lukas claimed, “That’s what I wanted him to do, jump on that other horse. From the wire to the seven-eighths (pole), I could tell he wasn’t as interested. That’s a habit – horses pulling up after they work – galloping out. What I’m trying to do is get him focused on getting into his races quicker because with a 20-horse field, there’s always a problem. Put yourself in a place where you can (avoid trouble). I’m training him a little bit different. He did a half-mile from the gate in :45 seconds. He doesn’t have to do that, but at least he’s got that in mind now. (The next work, which will be at Churchill Downs) will be a lot easier. The last two weeks have been the best two weeks he’s had here (at Oaklawn)."

April 21 NOTE: Arrived at CD yesterday, galloped today.

April 22 NOTE:  After the imposing colt's gallop trainer Lukas said, “He’s just growing into his frame. He won’t be 3 until May 17.” American Promise will be ridden by Nik Juarez, his Kentucky Derby debut. Juarez is scheduled to ride Thursday at Oaklawn Park and will travel to Louisville on Friday.

April 23: Scheduled to breeze Friday or Saturday with Nik Juarez up.

April 25:  Will breeze Saturday. Rosie Napravnik observing as American Promise galloped he "kinda has a little bit of a choppy way of going but really settling in with his rider...."

April 26 59:40 Breezing 4/33 CD sloppy - solo under Nik Juarez - 12.00, 23.80, 35.40, 47.00 out six in 112.40. Juarez said, “Got here last night, ready to work this morning. He was ready to work too and the off track was not a problem.”

April 27:  Trainer Lukas said, “That’s a good spot, (post 5). He had a good work yesterday and everything has been positive.”

April 28:  Trainer Lukas said, “The best thing is not having to make a single adjustment. Everything has been smooth so far the past six weeks (since winning the Virginia Derby). That is a big plus not to have to worry about anything.”

April 29: American Promise galloped a mile and a half under Tayja Smith for trainer D. Wayne Lukas at 7:15. Looking on from the backstretch was jockey Nik Juarez, who will have the mount in Kentucky Derby 151 that will mark his inaugural foray in the Run for the Roses.

April 30:  He galloped a mile and three-eighths.

May 1: He galloped about a mile and a half under Tayja Smith.

Baeza: April 24

April 14  50:00 Handily 39/52 SA - VIDEO - solo

April 20 originally reported by Equibase  six in 1.15:60 Handily (5/6), revised to seven in 1:28 Handily (3/4) -  VIDEO - His worktab is scattered with slow and fast workouts beginning on Feb. 26: 52.60, 1:02.20, 1:10.40, 1:03.40, 1:12.00, 50.00 and today's 1:15.60/1:28.00; he raced once in this timeframe: the April 5 Santa Anita Derby following the 1:12.00 workout - under jockey Hector Berrios (Flavien Prat is named for the Derby) in company with Atitlan, a multiple graded stakes winner on turf - The SA press office says Baeza "was officially credited with a seven-furlong work in 1:28.00." Shirreffs said he clocked Baeza in 1:28.20. “Because his morning gallops have been a little on the easy side, I wanted to give him a longer work to put a little more air in him and with a good finish," he said. Fractions were not released by the press office, but DRF's Steve Andersen wrote Shirreffs got the final eighth in 11.80, which is not quite consistent with the difference in the six- and seven-furlong times posted by Equibase (12.40).

April 25: CRK Stables tweeted around midnight last night, "We’ve arrived at Churchill Downs and Baeza will visit the track tomorrow. We’ll see what the next 8 days holds! Best case scenario is we grab a spot in the Derby but time will tell."

April 26: Baeza galloped at Churchill Downs for the first time. With Render Judgment's connections decision to enter the Derby, presumably as the first also-eligible, as of this time Baeza needs two defections to make the main body of the field. Trainer Shirreffs said, “If we don’t make it, we’ll work him here Monday. Then we’ve got to look at the Preakness.”

April 27: From my vantage point on the backside, I caught Baeza galloping around the track twice.

April 28  1.02:00 Breezing 15/15 CD - VIDEO -  jockey Prat up -  13.60, 26.40, 37.80, out six  in 1:16.00 - slow work much like the last one, I doubt this is cause for concern - Trainer Shirreffs said, “I know 1:02 is a little on the slow side, but he’s not an especially sharp work horse. We put a good work into him last week (seven furlongs in 1:28 at Santa Anita on April 20) and he’s ready. We just need to get a little lucky and get him into the race.”
April 29: He visited the paddock and galloped. Trainer Shirreffs said, “We just want to keep him from getting too fresh now. Keep that nose to the grindstone, so to speak. Later in the week we’ll lighten it up.”

April 30: Baeza and crew have until 9 a.m. Friday morning (scratch time for the Derby) to get “lucky” and get to run. If that doesn’t happen, it’ll be on to the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. Trainer Shirreffs said, “We’re still hoping for a gift from the gods. What else are you going to do?”

May 1: He ran a strong two-mile gallop under exercise rider Frankie Herratel. Trainer Shirreffs said he sent him the extra distance “To get him to settle. We need to keep his feet on the ground."

Burnham Square: Returned to CD April 8 after the Blue Grass. Barn 26.

April 19 49.40 Breezing 51/97 CD - VIDEO - 24.40, 37.00, 49.40, out five in 1:02.00 per CD clockers (Mike Welsch got him in 1:02.60 and 1:15.60) but he continued almost all the way up the backstretch - solo under Brian Hernandez Jr., who has the Derby mount. Trainer Wilkes said beforehand it would be a maintenance work, but it looked like more than a maintenance work. Wilkes said beforehand he needed to do something with Burnham Square or he'd get upset. “I know I needed to run him more because he was making too many mistakes, and I thought I needed to educate him more so he doesn’t make those mistakes in the Derby. He’s got to move forward again from the Blue Grass because the water gets deeper again. He’s a lighter-framed horse. I can’t be afraid to train him because he needs it to get ready for the Derby.”

April 20:  A photo by Barbara Livingston shows Burnham Square sweating on his neck during the breeze; he might've been worked up a bit, and I say that because Wilkes said before the work Burnham Square would get upset if he didn't do something with him.

April 21: Jogged today after working April 19 and day off April 20.

April 22:  Burnham Square is expected to work Saturday.

April 24:  Exercise rider Mark Cutler was asked to compare Burnham Square with Street Sense, whom he handled for trainer Carl Nafzger and then-assistant trainer Wilkes: “Street Sense liked to take his time. We’d get to Barn 30 and he would stop and wanted to look at everything. It was like he owned the place. (Burnham Square) tests you a little bit,” Cutler said smiling. “He wants to do a little more than you want.”

April 25: Set to work Saturday at 7:15 ET with Brian Hernandez, Jr. aboard.

April 26  59.40 Breezing 3/33 CD good - VIDEO - solo under Brian Hernandez, Jr. - 12.40, 24.40, 36, out six in 1:12, seven in 126.20. Hernandez said, “I let him out a little bit at the eighth pole and he got his last eighth in 11 and 1." Trainer Wilkes said, “The track was good. It was probably a tick faster, but he did it well in hand and had a strong gallop out. We just have to keep him on the ground now. He’s ready.” Watching the work from the backstretch was two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Carl Nafzger for whom Wilkes served as an exercise rider for Unbridled in 1990 and as an assistant for Street Sense in 2007.

April 27: Jogged in the mile chute. Trainer Wilkes said, “That’s a good spot (post 9)."
April 29:  He galloped a mile and a half under Mark Cutler at 7:15 for trainer Ian Wilkes.

April 30: Burnham Square has not raced on an “off” track, something he could possibly encounter Saturday. “He worked really good over it Saturday,” jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. said of Burnham Square, who drilled five furlongs in :59.40 over a track labeled as good. “Good horses can overcome a lot.”

May 1: He galloped a mile under Mark Cutler. Trainer Wilkes said, “I’m feeling good and he’s doing good. That is all I can do until we lead him over there.”

Chunk of Gold:  April 25, a day prior to the 11 a.m. deadline
April 5 49.20 Breezing 26/64 TP synthetic
April 12 59:40 Breezing 1/18 TP synthetic  Trainer West: "I got 47 and change for a half-mile and out six in 1:12" Jareth Loveberry came in to handle the work.

April 19 49.40 Breezing 30/78 TP synthetic  - VIDEO - Solo under Derby jockey Jareth Loveberry, workout was before sunrise. Churchill Downs publicity previously posted on X 12.60, 25.20, 38.20, 50.00, out five in 1:02.00. Trainer West said, “It was exactly what we had planned. We wanted to go a little slow early and finish up well. Jareth never asked him, and he had a really strong gallop out. Chunk really wanted to do more, but we’ll save that for 14 days from now.” Chunk of Gold will work Friday at Turfway before vanning to Churchill Downs that afternoon.

April 21: Returned to the track at TP today after working April 19 and day off April 20.

April 22: Chunk of Gold is scheduled to work Friday at Turfway Park.

April 25   59:20 Breezing 1/4 TP synthetic - VIDEO not available at this post - under Jareth Loveberry outside 3yo Brodeur - 12.20, 24.20, 36.20, 47.60 - strong move approaching the wire and around first turn - Trainer West said, “Now we just have to keep that same energy level up over the next week. That was about as good as we could ask of him. He was galloping out really easy around the turn, then another horse came up to his outside and he wanted to get back in the bit.”

April 26: Chunk of Gold arrived at CD yesterday following ship from Turfway after his workout.

April 27:  Trainer West joked, “I’d rather have post 19 then not have a post at all. I was hoping for the middle portion of the gate to have a better chance at not going so wide into the turn. Jareth has time to try and get into position into the turn.”
April 29: He visited the Kentucky Derby starting gate and then galloped a mile and a half under trainer Ethan West during the 7:15-7:30 training window.

April 30: He galloped a mile and a half and schooled in the paddock.
May 1: He galloped at 7:15 a.m. with trainer Ethan West in the saddle.

Citizen Bull: April 24, barn 33

April 13  initially reported 1.01:00 Handily 33/86 SA; changed to  47.60 Handily 12/102 SA - VIDEO - outside Dothraki without blinkers.

April 18  1.11:80 Handily 1/4 SA - VIDEO - outside unraced Lionel (1:00.00) without blinkers for the second straight work. Stable says he will race without blinkers for the first time in the Kentucky Derby. Citizen Bull spotted Lionel five lengths before overtaking him in the work.

April 22 NOTE: Still scheduled to arrive Thursday.

April 23  1.24:20 Handily 1/2 SA - VIDEO - in company - with blinkers on. Much the best.

April 25:  After arriving late yesterday afternoon, Citizen Bull was on track this morning. Neck arched, he was "super aggressive" before galloping as his rider was pulling mightily standing up in the irons. Trainer Baffert said, “I really would have liked to have had these horses in California and given them their final works on a fast track out there in good weather tomorrow. Then I would have shipped in and set up shop. But they have rules about being on the grounds (by 11 a.m. Saturday), so we had to come in early. I’m just going to have to work around the wet track and the rain, but what can you do. It’s just good to be back on the scene.”

April 26:  Baffert said his plan is to work Citizen Bull on Monday.

April 27:  Citizen Bull came galloping by me on the backside. He struck me as a smallish horse and looked a bit like a sprinter. Scheduled to breeze Monday under Martin Garcia.

April 28  58:40 Breezing 1/15 CD - VIDEO - solo under Martin Garcia - 11.60, 23,00, 45.80, out six in 112.40, seven in 127.20 - note 45 and change would put him on the lead entering the backstretch of the Derby - Jockey Garcia said, “I thought I was working four furlongs. But then when I get into it, Bob tells me I’m going five. So I’d broken off at the half-mile pole, which meant I had to go past the wire and finish up at the seven (furlong marker). We did it and it worked out OK.”

April 29: He had a scheduled walk day.

April 30: Trainer Baffert said, "We’re going to have to use him early. We’re going to tell him to get out of there like he just robbed a bank.”

May 1: He galloped under Humberto Gomez.

Coal Battle:  April 6, barn 42
April 8  48:40 Breezing 30/57 CD - VIDEO - solo, 24, out in 1:02.40 - “He was too fresh in the Arkansas Derby,” trainer Briley said. “I usually never have to saddle him on the walk, but I had to that day. Then after he broke, and Cornucopian and Speed King went blazing to the lead, we were in third. He was just too fresh. We have a plan now going forward." Juan Vargas will ride.

April 15 1.01:20 Breezing 14/21 CD - VIDEO - solo, 12.20, 23.80, 36.40 under assistant trainer Bethany Taylor. Out fractions unavailable.

Next scheduled workout is "probably" April 22.

April 22 47:80 Breezing 3/33 CD -  VIDEO - solo under Bethany Taylor - 12.40, 24.60, out five furlongs in 100.80 - Taylor said, “I was thrilled with it. He keeps getting better every time he goes out there. He is improving every time.” Trainer Briley said, “It was good and he came back like he hadn’t done anything, not even taking a drink of water. Four or five days before a race, I like to give them a three-eighths blowout to put some air in their lungs."

April 23: Scheduled walk day.

April 24:  Back on the track to stretch his legs, per the stable.

April 25:  Assistant trainer Bethany Taylor said, “He was good in gate; such a gentleman." Coal Battle also galloped per the norm.

April 26:  He walked at Barn 42 Saturday morning and following training hours had a paddock schooling session.

April 27:  Galloped by me on the backside with controlled high energy. He looked great. Trainer Briley said, “I was hoping for 8, 9, 10 or 11, but it looks like most of the speed is inside of us so we can just drop in behind it (from post 16).”

April 28  36:00 Breezing 7/16 CD - VIDEO - part of trainer Briley's typical race prep is a blowout like this - exercise rider Taylor pushing him a bit shortly before the wire - 11.60, out four in 50.20 - in the video note how Taylor has both feet on the brakes until the work starting point of the blowout - Trainer Briley said, “He looks like he did pretty easily. The closer to the race the tougher it gets. He will walk tomorrow and then there will be some jogging and galloping. He’s ready.”

April 29:  He had a scheduled work day. Owner Norman said, “We’ve been here since Saturday before the draw. have never been to the Derby. I had a horse here in 2022 (with trainer Lonnie Briley) on the Thursday before, but the traffic was so bad, I just turned around and decided I wouldn’t come back until I had a horse in it.”

April 30: He had a walk day. Coal Battle is 2-for-2 on off tracks with daylight victories coming at Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs.
May 1: He was on the track early to visit the paddock and jog a mile under Bethany Taylor. Trainer Briley said, “After a work, we walk two days. That’s the way I do it. He’ll gallop Friday.”

East Avenue: April 14, barn 9

April 19 47.60 Breezing 5/97 CD - VIDEO - in company with Raquel 11:60, 23.20, 47.60 out five in 1:00.60. Edgar Morales worked East Avenue while trainer Brendan Walsh’s exercise rider Stephen Dolan was aboard Raquel. Morales worked East Avenue in the past at Fair Grounds. Trainer quote unavailable at this post.

April 21 NOTE: Galloped today after a day off following his April 19 workout.

April 24: Trainer Walsh said, “I think we learned more about the horse in the Risen Star (when he finished 10th) than ever before. We had to knuckle down on him and get tougher on him. He didn’t learn an awful lot last year because he was just so talented at that stage. We didn’t realize it at the time that we might have been too easy on him, but (after) the Risen Star we had to fix that."

April 25:  East Avenue is scheduled to breeze Saturday.

April 26: Workout postponed to Sunday with Manny Franco up.

April 27 59.40 Breezing 6/22 CD - VIDEO - in company outside of Joejoe Go (59.60) - 24.20, 35.80, out six in 1:12.20. Trainer Walsh said, “We’re really happy with our draw (post 12). There’s a lot of speed on our inside so I think it’s a good spot to be.”

April 28:  Back on the track today.
April 29:  He galloped a mile and a quarter at 7:15 under Stephen Dolan.
April 30: He galloped under jockey Stephen Dolan.

May 1: He galloped under Stephen Dolan.

Final Gambit: March 31, barn 22
April 2 48.80 Breezing 36/68 CD
April 9 1.00:80 Breezing 10/32 CD Broke off at the 4 1/2-furlong pole, 25.40, worked through the wire to mid-turn, out six in 1:13.60 and seven in 1:27. Trainer Cox: "I really like what I see from him. (The dirt) doesn't seem to slow him down."

April 18: Has been nine days since he worked.

April 19  No worries, 1:00.80 Breezing 24/56 CD - VIDEO - outside Coffee Talk 24.40, 36.60, 48.40, out six in 1:14.40. Trainer Cox was there for the workout outside Coffee Talk, whom he easily outworked, with exercise rider Edvin Vargas aboard. “He’s really handled the dirt well here. I thought it was a strong move today. He’s done everything well since we got him back here.”

April 21: After a day off, back on the track today.

April 23:  Scheduled to work Saturday.

April 26: 1:01.00 Breezing 17/33 CD - VIDEO - Worked at 9:07 a.m. ET - once again outside Coffee Talk, 12.80, 25.40, 37.40, out six in 1:13.80 - smoked his workmate leaving the first turn and up the backstretch - he didn't stop until he was into the first turn again - very impressive.

April 27:  Scheduled walk day.

April 28: He jogged about a mile under exercise rider Joel Osorio.
April 29: He galloped a mile and a half under Joel Osirio at 7:15.
April 30: He galloped about 1 ½ miles.

May 1: He galloped at 7:15 under Joel Osorio.

Flying Mohawk: March 31, barn 21
April 12 50:80 Breezing 74/86 CD - VIDEO - 26, out five 1:03.40, outside Honor Marie. Trainer Beckman: "I just wanted an easy move." Joe Ramos has the Derby mount.

April 19 1:00 Breezing 11/56 CD - VIDEO - Inside stablemate Honor Marie with exercise rider Maurilio Garcia in the saddle.  12.00, 23.40, 35.00, out six in 1:13.40

April 21 NOTE:  CD track notes say he had "an easy training day" after a day off yesterday.

April 25  1:00.00 Breezing 3/11 CD - VIDEO - track rated good - under assistant trainer/exercise rider Maurlio Garcia inside Oaks contender Drexel Hill (also 1.00.00) - 12.40, 24.20, 35.80, out 1:12.80, 1:26.40 - pulling against his rider on the turn and into stretch - Trainer Beckman said, “He’s doing well and handled training over this track as we expected/ We never had any issues with him training over the dirt, and he’s shown that in his works.”

April 26:  Scheduled walk day.

April 27:  Trainer Beckman said, “Post 11 seems like a pretty good post. It’s right in the middle of the gate. He’ll break out of there and probably track the pace. So, we’re good with it.” Co-owner Jayson Werth said, “My grandpa played 19 years in the big leagues and for most of it, his number was 11. So, I have some history with that number and it was one of my favorite numbers growing up as a kid. We are here in the Kentucky Derby with the guy we never thought would make it here. I think he’s live at number 11.”

April 28: He had a light gallop Monday morning under assistant trainer/exercise rider Maurilio Garcia.

April 29: He galloped at 7:15 under Maurilio Garcia.
April 30:  He galloped a mile and one half.

May 1: He galloped at 7:15 under Maurilio Garcia.

Grande: Arrived at Keeneland April 18. Arrived at Churchill Downs April 25, barn 37

Unless Pletcher calls an audible, Grande will have his sole pre-Derby work April 25 at Keeneland, then be vanned to Louisville.

April 23: No change in the expected schedule.

April 25  1:01.00 Breezing 3/11 KEE - VIDEO - in company with 3yo maiden winner Valentinian on the main track - 13.00, 25.00, 37.20 and
49, out six in 1:13.40, seven in 1:27.20 - John Velazquez standing in the irons all the way - given a nudge at the wire, pushed along a bit around the turn and into the backstretch - moves ahead of workmate, the workmate gets ahead as they finish up, workmate pulled up while Grande eases to a stop far into the backstretch - Trainer Pletcher said after the breeze, “I got him in 1:01 and four. But that’s just splitting hairs. The main thing was it was a very good work. I was very pleased and thought he worked super. He showed good energy throughout and galloped out strong.”

"My instinct told me to bring him to Keeneland. I thought we would have a more reliable surface. As it turns out, the track was muddy and sealed today at Churchill. With more rain in the forecast, I thought this was a safer play. Looking statistically at Derby winners, plenty of them have not had a breeze at Churchill. He will either take to the surface or he won’t. With the restriction of having to be at Churchill on Saturday, I thought the timing was too risky to ship in (from Belmont Park). We are thankful we have (another Derby starter). A couple of months ago, we weren’t sure we would be here at all. He stepped up, and I thought he ran a big race in the Wood. He had a tough trip in the first turn and came fighting to the wire. He is a relatively inexperienced horse and he is on the improve and I am cautiously optimistic.” Grande is scheduled to leave for Churchill Downs around 2 p.m. today. 

April 26: Grande galloped about a mile and a half today at Churchill Downs. Trainer Pletcher said, “He’s a high energy colt and we’ve got to keep him busy. He’ll just gallop a mile.”

April 27: He was back on the track again today, his second straight day since working on April 25. No walk days for Grande. Trainer Pletcher said, “He’ll just gallop the rest of the week. And I’m fine with his Derby post draw (10).”

April 28: Trainer Pletcher said, “It’s looking like we might get some rain and some funky weather over the next few days so I wanted to get him to the gate (to school) when we’ve got dry land."

April 29: He engaged in a solid gallop of about a mile and three-eighths at 7:15 under exercise rider Juan Suarez. Trainer Pletcher said, “We’ve got him lined up to do some paddock schooling in the third race Wednesday."

April 30: Trainer Pletcher said, “The week has been good. Grande has been handling things the way you’d hope.”

May 1: He galloped a mile and three-eighths under regular exercise rider Juan Suarez. Trainer Pletcher said, "Horses like a routine."

Journalism:  April 13 22, barn 35

April 19 47.00 Breezing 1/57 SA - VIDEO - under Umberto Rispoli, inside Feel the Magic, a 4-year-old gelding and one-time winner. Both timed in 47.00. Fractions are not published anywhere I can locate. The work was termed maintenance, but it looked like more. Journalism's gallop out was long and strong. Trainer McCarthy said, “We’re just keeping him in his routine. He’s really been training well and this was kind of maintenance. He looked relaxed out there. We just let him stretch his legs a little bit." Rispoli said, “I was very happy. The horse seems to have come out well from the Santa Anita Derby. He’s in good shape and gave me a good feeling. One more to go.”

April 22: Journalism is en route to Churchill Downs from southern California via charter today. The ship includes a landing in Indianapolis, followed by a van ride to Louisville with a mid-afternoon arrival to Churchill Downs expected.

April 23: With Marc Witkowski aboard, Journalism came on the track during the 7:15–7:30 training window and galloped a mile and an eighth. “It looked like he got over the track nicely,” trainer McCarthy said, adding that any gate or paddock schooling is TBD. As far as when a workout will be, McCarthy said, “I’m handicapping the weather.” Rain is in the forecast for Friday with a lesser chance of precipitation Saturday.

April 24: Trainer McCarthy said, “He’s an easy horse to train. When he came to us last summer as a 2-year-old he sort of showed us he was more advanced than your average 2-year-old. He really proved that once we stretched him out in the second start and we knew he wasn’t an average 2-year-old.”

April 24: Based on his body language and demeanor, Journalism's exercise rider was obviously very happy with his gallop this morning.

April 25:  Journalism galloped a strong mile and a half. Trainer McCarthy said, “He’ll probably work five eighths tomorrow. That’s my best guess today. We’ll see what the racetrack looks like then.”

April 26: Workout postponed to Sunday. Trainer McCarthy said, “That track out there is a little wetter than I’d like it to be. We’ll wait until tomorrow.”

April 27  1:01.40 Breezing 18/22 CD - VIDEO - solo - out into the first turn, what I was looking for - 13.60, 25.80, 37.60, out six in 1:13.60, seven in 1:26.80, a mile in 1:41.20 - Jockey Rispoli said, “Very professional. He’s a professional horse; a pleasure to ride.” Trainer McCarthy said, “I was very pleased with the work. Umberto was happy, so that’s good. He’ll just walk tomorrow. It’s all good for now.”

April 28:  Scheduled walk day. Trainer McCarthy said, “He came out of it (the work) very well. We’re all good this morning. He just walking and that’s enough.”

April 29: He jogged a mile under exercise rider Marc Witkowski and visited the starting gate. Trainer McCarthy said, “In a lot of ways Louisville feels like home. I had all those years here with Todd (he was an assistant for Todd Pletcher for 11 years), so I know my way around a bit. If I want to go for a nice dinner, Jack Fry’s is one of my favorites. And there are a couple of watering holes around town where I like to stop by. But I’m not drinking this week. I’ve got other things to do.”

April 30:  He had another good morning, turning in a strong gallop under exercise rider Marc Witkowski, who said, “He just feels so good when he gallops. He’s got a beautiful stride. I’ve never been on one that moves like him. Sweet – that’s the word for him.”

May 1: He and regular exercise rider Marc Witkowski turned in another solid gallop. Umberto Rispoli was asked if he did anything special in advance of a big race like the Derby. “No, not really,” he said. “I try to treat it just like I do all other races. At the end of the day it is just another race.”

Luxor Cafe:  April 23, Quarantine barn 1

April 21 NOTE: Still on schedule to arrive at Churchill Downs April 23.

April 22 NOTE:  As scheduled, Luxor Café is undergoing a 42-hour USDA quarantine in Chicago following his arrival there from Japan on Monday.

April 24: Luxor Café arrived at Churchill Downs Wednesday evening and jogged in the one-mile chute this morning. Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby liaison Kate Hunter said his connections were very pleased with how he shipped and will do more in his training in the next several days.

April 25: In a routine getting more familiar to American onlookers, Luxor Café jogged in the one-mile chute prior to galloping under exercise rider Naoto Suzuki. Trainer Noriyuki Hori is expected to arrive in Louisville on Monday.

April 26: Light gallop today.

April 27:  Could work Tuesday.

April 29 1.02:40 Breezing / CD - solo - 13.40, 26.00, 37.80 - the type of move we have come to expect from Japanese trainers - "laps" as they say in Japan are 13.40, 12.60, 11.80, final quarter in 24.60 - Jockey Moreira said, “Today I was asked to canter a lap as a warm up. Then I galloped him from the five-furlong pole. It was just an easy work, just to keep him ticking over. The horse felt good, relaxed and had good rhythm throughout. I was happy with his action and focus. He pulled up well. Looking forward to the challenge of riding him in the Kentucky Derby.”

April 30: Scheduled walk day.

May 1: He warmed up in the mile chute and moved to the main track and galloped under Naoto Suzuki.

Neoequos: April 26
April 11 49:63 Breezing 20/37 GP

April 18  1.00:51 Breezing 2/4 GP - 37.00, out six in 1:14.20 with late urging per DRF's Mike Welsch who covered works at both Gulfstream Park and Payson Park this date. Trainer Joseph said, "He sat a bit off his workmate (Neoequos outworked Mr. Narcissistic) and finished up decent. He’s a horse that once he makes the lead he kind of doesn’t really go on much once he goes by the horse. Right now, we’re going to the Derby. The distance is still a question mark. Right now, I’m probably leaning toward working him one more time (Thursday or Friday) and then head to Churchill."

April 24   48:43 Breezing 1/16 GP -  VIDEO - Trainer Joseph said, “It went good. He worked in company. He was inside his workmate. It was his last breeze and we were just looking for maintenance. It went well. He’s in good form."Joseph said Neoeuos will ship to Kentucky Friday, April 25 and that Flavien Prat is named to ride unless Baeza also makes the Derby field. Baeza has first dibs on Prat. Joseph added,

“We feel like we can get into the Derby, but if he doesn’t get in, he’ll run in one of the other races Derby Day. Right now, we’re leaning to the American Turf, but the Pat Day Mile, I’d say, is also in contention."

April 25: Now in the Kentucky Derby with the defection of Built, Neoequos is scheduled to arrive Saturday.

April 26: Arrived this morning, expected on the track tomorrow.

April 27:  Jogged on the track for the first time.

April 29:  He galloped at 7:15.

April 30:   Trainer Joseph said, “All good, we’re ready."

May 1: He galloped.

Owen Almighty:  Arrived shortly after April 8, Barn 40

April 21:  Walked the shed row this wet morning.

April 22: Owen Almighty is scheduled to work Friday.

April 24: 1.01:60 Breezing 3/9 CD - VIDEO - With rain in the Friday forecast, Owen Almighty was sent out today in company with Nosleeptilbrooklyn, a maiden. Owen Almighty started two lengths behind and posted fractions of 26.00 and 37.60 and galloped out well in front with six furlongs in 1:14.00 and seven-eighths in 1:27.00. Trainer Lynch said, “I didn’t want to take a chance on the weather. The work couldn’t have been any better.” DRF's Mike Welsch posted on X  37.49, 1:01.38, out six in 1:13.75, up seven in 1:27.27.

April 25: Back out on the track today, jogging.

April 27:  Galloped.

April 28:  Scheduled walk day.

April 29: He galloped a mile and a half at 7:15 under Antonio Orellana. Trainer Lynch said, “He has tactical speed and he can sit off the pace. Then we’ll see what happens.”

April 30:  He galloped a mile and a half. Trainer Lynch said, “His breeding (by Speightstown) indicates he should handle an off track and we hope that works in our favor.”

May 1: He jogged early Thursday with Antonio Orellano aboard. Trainer Lynch said, “We’ll just play it from the break. Then we will bide our time."

Publisher: April 1, barn 38
April 12 1.00:80 Breezing 12/31 CD - VIDEO - inside Tiztastic, 13, 24.80, 36.60, out six 1:13.40 and seven 1:26.60. Trainer Asmussen: "I was extremely pleased with how they handled and traveled over the racetrack."

April 19 59.60 Breezing 4/56 CD - VIDEO - inside Tiztastic, 12.80, 24.20, 36.00, out six in 1:11.80. Publisher got a head start on Tiztastic, a closer, but outworked Tiztastic to the wire and in the gallop out. There were no comments from trainer Asmussen in notes released by the track.

April 21:  Galloped today after a day off April 20.

April 23: Trainer Asmussen was aboard his pony alongside Publisher while assistant trainer Scott Blasi was aboard a pony leading Tiztastic to the paddock prior to galloping.

April 25:  Track notes say he will breeze Sunday.

April 27  49.20 Breezing 78/121 CD - VIDEO UNAVAILABLE AT THIS POST - maintenance move - Trainer Asmussen said, “It’s an ideal draw for both of them being next to each other (posts 13 and 14). They’ve been training together, everything is coming together perfectly. I just hope we can catch a day that’s going to be sunny and a fast track. We couldn’t be more excited.”

April 28: Scheduled walk day.

April 29:  He jogged during the 7:15-7:30 training window.

April 30: Trainer Asmussen said, “Derby week is so much fun. It’s enjoyable to take it all in.”

May 1: He galloped under Roberto Howell .

Render Judgment: ~April 8~

April 19 1.00:80 Breezing 24/56 CD - VIDEO

April 26: He will be entered in the Kentucky Derby, per reporting by DRF's David Grening.

April 26:  59.00 Breezing 2/33 CD good - VIDEO - outside Hypnus 12.20, 23.60, 35.60, out six in 1:12.40, seven in 1:26.40 - he got by his mate before the wire and left him behind in the turn - very impressive workout

April 26: Injury to Tappan Street this morning puts Render Judgment in the main body of the Derby field. Julien Leparoux will ride.

April 27:  Trainer McPeek said, “We will let Julien do his thing (from post 15). The good news is I think the horse is going to come from way off the pace so I don’t think the draw is a big deal. He needs to get to a whole new level that we’ve never seen from him. He always tries hard and is doing great. Julien worked him Saturday morning and it was the best work of his life. Post 1, 20 or 15, I don’t think where you put him in the starting gate is going to matter since he comes from off the pace.”

April 28:  Toby Keith's family posted on X, “It was Toby’s dream… Render Judgment is going to the Kentucky Derby. He worked so hard to finally have one there. Toby will have the best seat in the house to watch.”

April 29: He galloped at 7:15 under Robby Albarado.

April 30:  He galloped with Robby Albarado aboard.
May 1: He galloped under Robby Albarado. He reportedly has a quarter crack that is being treated.

Rodriguez:  April 22, barn 33

April 20 1.00:40 Handily 10/59 SA - VIDEO - solo under an exercise rider, strong gallop out. Mike Smith watched the work. All the press office gave us is Baffert saying, "All went well." No fractions, no nothing. On X, Tom Ryan posted, "He had a great morning and exited his work in excellent shape. A very fit and happy 3-year-old - heading to Kentucky." Smith said, “If they want to be in front of him, they’ll have to run to get it," according to reporting by DRF's Steve Andersen.

April 22: Still scheduled to arrive Thursday. Woops, he arrived late Tuesday afternoon. Sean Collins of BloodHorse tweeted at 6 pm ET "Bob Baffert’s Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez and Santa Anita Oaks winner Tenma have arrived...."

April 23: Rodriguez trained at 7:15 a.m. with exercise rider Humberto Gomez aboard.

April 25:  April 25: Trainer Baffert said, “I really would have liked to have had these horses in California and given them their final works on a fast track out there in good weather tomorrow. Then I would have shipped in and set up shop. But they have rules about being on the grounds (by 11 a.m. Saturday), so we had to come in early. I’m just going to have to work around the wet track and the rain, but what can you do. It’s just good to be back on the scene.”

April 26:  Rodriguez galloped today per the norm. Trainer Baffert said his plan is to work Rodriguez Sunday.

April 27  1:00 Breezing 9/22 CD - VIDEO - solo - worked to track kitchen - 12.40, 24.20, 36.20, 47.60, out six in 1:12.60, seven in 1:27.00. Exercise rider Eric Garcia came off the track shaking his head and said, “Amazing work; amazing. He was in hand all the way.”

April 28: Scheduled walk day.

April 29:  He galloped under exercise rider Eric Garcia. Trainer Baffert said, "You know, they always have a terrific undercard for the Derby with lots of good opportunities for good horses. I had good horses over the past three years and never got to run them here. But I’m back doing it now (he has five horses in undercard races on Saturday) and have spots for my horses to run. That’s one of the best things of all for me and for my owners.”

April 30:  Trainer Baffert said, “The four for Rodriguez isn’t so bad. He’ll be OK coming out of there.

May 1: He galloped under Eric Garcia.

Sandman:  April 1, barn 36
April 15 April 15 49:60 Breezing 18/23 CD - VIDEO - solo, 13.60, 26.40, out five in 1:01.80, up six in 1:15.00 under Froylan Garcia. Trainer Casse said, “I asked the rider to go between 49 and 50 seconds and he did just that.”

April 20 NOTE:  Kevin Kilroy said at the tail end of the Works show Sandman was not on the track today. We'll know soon enough whether it's just because today is Easter Sunday (many of the stables didn't do much today at CD), there was some other reason that's not important to his condition, or there is an issue.

April 21 NOTE:  Sandman galloped a mile-and-a-half at 7:15 a.m. with Froylan Garcia aboard on a wet track.

April 23 1.02:40 Breezing 20/29 CD - VIDEO - solo - 13.60, 26.20, 38.00, out six in1:15.60 - the fastest segment was the second half of the turn in 11.80 - Trainer Casse said, “On a scale of 1 to 10 this gets a 10. That was his last work before the Derby. I think he grows every time I look at him. He is more than 16 hands, more than 16-3.” NOTE:  He said to reporters, "He didn't want to pull up."

April 24: Trainer Casse said, “He walked early, and he’s just chilling now."

April 25: Jogged today.

April 26: Galloped today.

April 27:  Trainer Casse said, “I think we did well on both of our draws,” Casse said of Sandman (17) and La Cara (7, Oaks). “The 14 through the 17 are about the same. Jose (Ortiz) was happy with it. I didn’t ask Sandman yet, but I am sure he is fine with it.”

April 28:  Scheduled walk day. Trainer Casse said, “We are on the same schedule as the Arkansas Derby when we gave him Monday off."

April 29:  He galloped a mile and a quarter at 7:15 under Froylan Garcia. Sandman is scheduled to school in the paddock this afternoon with horses in the third race. Trainer Casse said, “Jose (Ortiz) said he rode him terrible the first time. Before the Arkansas Derby, we watched tapes of the Southwest and Rebel and the key is to let him get into his stride, and Jose let him settle (in the Arkansas Derby). A lot has been made of him not running well here. The track was totally different last fall and now is the best I have seen it and I have been coming here 47 years. Dale Romans said the same thing last night, and he has been here about as long as I have.”

April 30: He galloped a mile and a half.

May 1: He jogged a mile under Froylan Garcia.

Sovereignty: April 13 16, barn 19

April 11 48.40 Breezing 3/24 PAY - Trainer Mott said, “He was into it. He’s not a great work horse, but he went well. Good sign that we’re able to keep going. I’m considering shipping him Sunday. I thought I’d probably want to have a couple works over the [Churchill Downs] track.”

April 19 1:00.60 Breezing 17/56 CD - VIDEO is limited to Kevin Kerstein's X post - CD camera crew did not catch the workout - 13.00, 25.20, 37.20, out six in 1:12.80 - outside of stablemate Playa Del Mar. According to Churchill Downs notes Playa Del Mar completed his move at the eighth pole, with Sovereignty drawing clear to the wire. Exercise rider Guesler Cardona was aboard for the work. I previously marked this work solo after seeing Kevin Kerstein's video of Sovereignty finishing up the move on X, but it only looked that way because Sovereignty left Playa Del Mar so far in his wake. Trainer Mott said, “There’s a lot of luck involved in winning the Kentucky Derby. You obviously have to have the right horse for the race, but you need to have some racing luck go your way. The goal is to have him the best he can be for the first Saturday in May.”

April 21: Sovereignty galloped following a day off after his April 19 breeze. Addendum: His neck was sweaty after the gallop.

April 23:  After Sovereignty galloped at about 7:15 trainer Mott said, “No complaints this morning. He went through the paddock and then galloped out past the half-mile pole.”

April 24:  Noticed again this morning Sovereignty's neck looked very washy after his gallop.

April 24: Trainer Mott said after Sovereignty's morning on the track, “We’re all good here. He stood in the gate, backed out and then galloped well.” Mott said he is flexible about the date of Sovereignty's upcoming workout.

April 25: Report this morning Sovereignty "didn't turn a hair" before entering the gate for the Fountain of Youth but he was dripping sweat before Tappan Street beat him in the Florida Derby. Rosie Napravnik said on today's Works show she is taking his sweating on the track at CD as a negative sign. These comments came before he galloped today. After the gallop the sweat on his neck wasn't as pronounced as previous days.

April 25:  Trainer Mott said, “We’re hoping to (work) tomorrow. Or Sunday – or maybe even Monday – if the weather and track don’t cooperate.”

April 26: Did not breeze today. Looks like he will breeze Sunday. Trainer Mott said, “I don’t have a problem with the racetrack; I just decided to wait until tomorrow.”

April 27 1:01.80 Breezing 22/22 CD - VIDEO - easily outworked company under Javier Cardona - 25.40, 37.80, out six in 1:15.00 - Trainer Mott said, “Liked what I saw. He looked good coming through the stretch.”

April 28:  Scheduled walk day. Trainer Mott said, “He came out of his work just fine. It’s all good. He’ll walk today, then the plan is to go back to galloping tomorrow.”

April 29: He put in a good gallop exercise rider Guesler Cardona, then went up and into the paddock with trainer Bill Mott on his pony. Trainer Mott said, “We’ll probably paddock school him in the afternoon Wednesday.

April 30:  Trainer Mott said, “No complaints yet."

May 1: Trainer Bill Mott said, "We’ll take him around the paddock a few times this morning, then gallop him (under exercise rider Javier Cardona) around the track. Yesterday we took him to the paddock in the afternoon and he did OK. He got a little hot, but nothing special. We gave him some extra for lunch and he ate it all up. He ate up last night, too. The routine is good and so is he.”

Tappan Street: early April 20, barn 22
April 11  48:40 Breezing 3/24 PAY VIDEO - outside Rapture - Trainer Cox said he had him in 48.40, out 1:01.60. "He was under a good hold throughout. He definitely hasn’t regressed. He’s really doing well. He's a smart horse. I think we’ll probably stay here for one more (work)."

April 18 1.01:40 Breezing 2/12 PAY - VIDEO - pre-dawn work outside Rapture - DRF's Mike Welsch was there and tweeted early this date 1:02 breezing from the four-furlong marker w/ last four in 48.20, out six in 1:14.79 and seven 1:28.72. Rapture also worked in 1:01.40 (2/12). Trainer Cox said, “We were looking to kind of stretch his legs and have a nice gallop out and I thought we got what we were looking for. Continued on around the turn very nicely and galloped out strong. He looked great coming off the track. He’s been very consistent, and it seems like with his works, the further the better. I think just based off what we’ve seen, a horse (Hit Show) went to the Middle East (from Payson Park) and won the World Cup. If they can’t get them ready over this track, you’re not going to get them ready over any track."

April 21:  On the track today after arriving from CD yesterday.

April 23: Scheduled to work Saturday.

April 26: 59.60 Breezing 8/33 CD - Worked at 9:04 a.m. ET - outside his company, inched ahead in the turn

April 26: Unfortunately Tappan Street is out of the Kentucky Derby after sustaining a condylar fracture this morning. The injury is not life-threatening; he will undergo surgery.

Tiztastic: March 25, barn 38, stall 24
April 12 1.00:80 Breezing 12/31 CD - VIDEO - outside Publisher, 13, 24.80, 36.60, out six 1:13.40 and seven 1:26.60. Trainer Asmussen: "I was extremely pleased with how they handled and traveled over the racetrack."

April 19 59.60 Breezing 4/56 CD -  VIDEO - outside Publisher, 12.80, 24.40 and :36.40, out six in 1:11.80. Publisher got a head start on Tiztastic, a closer, but outworked Tiztastic to the wire and in the gallop out. There were no comments from trainer Asmussen in notes released by the track.

April 21 NOTE:  Galloped today after a day off April 20.

April 25:  Track notes say he will breeze Sunday.

April 27: April 27 50.20 Breezing 112/121 CD -  VIDEO - solo - 12.40, 24.60, 50.20 - maintenance - Trainer Asmussen said, “It’s an ideal draw for both of them being next to each other (posts 13 and 14). They’ve been training together, everything is coming together perfectly. I just hope we can catch a day that’s going to be sunny and a fast track. We couldn’t be more excited.”
April 28:  Scheduled walk day.

April 29:  He jogged during the 7:15-7:30 training window.
April 30: Trainer Asmussen said, “Derby week is so much fun. It’s enjoyable to take it all in.”
May 1: He galloped under Carlos Rosas.