CHAMPION ESSENTIAL QUALITY TOPS DERBY WORK TAB AT CHURCHILL DOWNS; ROCK YOUR WORLD WORKs AT SANTA ANITA

By Darren Rogers —-

LOUISVILLE, KY (Saturday, April 24, 2021) – Godolphin’s likely Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 early Saturday morning to headline a quintet of hopefuls for the 147th Run for the Roses that put in their final works for the 1 ¼-mile classic.

Also working on a cloudy but pleasant morning beneath the Twin Spires were Juddmonte Farms’ Mandaloun (five furlongs in 1:00), Klaravich Stables’ Highly Motivated (five furlongs in 1:00.80, Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen’s Super Stock (five furlongs in 1:01.20) and Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s King Fury (five furlongs in 1:00.20).

At Santa Anita, Hronis Racing and David Talla’s Rock Your World worked five furlongs in :59.20. Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and Strauss Bros Racing’s Hot Rod Charlie was scheduled to work before Santa Anita’s first race Saturday at approximately 3 p.m. (Eastern).

At San Luis Rey, Gary Barber’s Get Her Number worked five furlongs in 1:02.

At Keeneland, M Racing Group’s Like the King worked five furlongs in 1:01.

BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – “We got done what we wanted to get done (yesterday) and they’re all fine this morning. They’re just going to walk the shedrow today and tomorrow – depending on the weather – they’ll go back to the track in some fashion.”

That was the report from Barn 42 and trainer Todd Pletcher Saturday morning following the Friday drills by his four Kentucky Derby 147 candidates at Churchill Downs.

His quartet had turned in their final Derby exercises a day earlier than planned when weather reports indicated an all-day rain storm for the Louisville area Saturday, a prediction that was revised Saturday to put the likely start of the storm closer to noon time. A pair of the runners – Known Agenda and Sainthood – had worked five furlongs in company in 1:01; another colt – Dynamic One – had covered four furlongs in :47.80 (also in company), while the final colt – Bourbonic – did his half-mile business in :49.60.

Pletcher, who to this point has started a record 55 horses in the Run for the Roses, was asked if he saw a horse in the current Derby lineup that he might be afraid of.

“It looks like a fairly wide-open year,” he said. “I don’t see anybody I’m really afraid of. But on the other hand, I don’t see anybody I’d leave out.”

BROOKLYN STRONG – Owner Mark Schwartz notified Churchill Downs racing officials that Parx-based Brooklyn Strong is now under consideration to run in the Kentucky Derby should there be any further defections between now and entry time Tuesday at 11 a.m. (all times Eastern).

Brooklyn Strong sits at No. 22 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 10 points.

CADDO RIVER, ESSENTIAL QUALITY, MANDALOUN – It was a busy morning at trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 where the Louisville-native trainer worked Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality and graded stakes winner Mandaloun for the final time prior to the “Run for the Roses.”

Essential Quality, with exercise rider Edvin Vargas aboard, worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 outside of fellow Godolphin-owned Spa City. The duo began their work at the half-mile pole through splits of :12.80, :24.80 and :48.20. Essential Quality completed a six-furlong gallop out in 1:14.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“We keep radios on all of our riders so that way we can stay in contact throughout the work,” Cox said. “Galloping out around the turn, I got on the radio to Edvin and told him not to let him go too strongly. Spa City is a horse we used as a workmate for Essential Quality the last three or four works. He’s a good matchup for him because he’s a good work horse.”

Shortly after Essential Quality completed his work, Juddmonte Farm’s Mandaloun, with Florent Geroux in the saddle, worked five furlongs in 1:00 outside of recent Keeneland allowance winner Joe Frazier. Mandaloun started about six lengths behind his stablemate and completed swift opening fractions of :23.20, :35.60 and :47.60. Mandaloun galloped out strongly around the first turn through a six-furlong time of 1:12.60 and completed seven furlongs in 1:27.20.

“Going into the pole, Joe Frazier was a little bit strong and I didn’t want to ask Mandaloun to catch up to him too much,” Geroux said. “I didn’t want to get him in the bit too early so we started six or seven lengths behind but going around the turn he really picked up the pace. He has a big stride to him and was full of himself getting over this track.”

Cox’s third Kentucky Derby contender Caddo River had a scheduled walk day following his five-furlong move in 1:00.60 Friday morning.

Saturday was the last major work day for the Cox barn prior to the start of Kentucky Derby Week.

“Glad that’s over,” Cox said with a sigh of relief. “Now, let’s hope the Racing Gods have a little luck they pass down to us.”

The Racing Gods won’t be the only thing Cox will be relying on to help him in the Derby. Cox first started going to Churchill Downs at a young age with his father, Jerry. In 2016, his father passed away at 74-years-old.

“I’m sure he’ll be looking down on us on Derby Day,” Cox said. “I’m sure he’d be very proud of our entire family. He would always ask me how our horses were doing and be very interested in every aspect of the barn. I’m sure he’d be very proud of his grandsons (Blake and Bryson) who work with me now at the barn and have become great horsemen in their own right. I’m sure (Cox’s youngest son) Brodie, will follow in their footsteps as well.”

GET HER NUMBER – Gary Barber’s Get Her Number went five furlongs in 1:02 Saturday morning at San Luis Rey Training Center with trainer Peter Miller looking on.

“He went out in 1:14 and it was a nice move,” Miller said via text from the facility, which is about 30 miles northeast of Del Mar racetrack. Miller trains all his horses at the site and ships to Southern California racetracks from there to do most of his running.

Initially, the trainer had indicated that he’d have a decision on starting the Grade I-winning son of Dialed In in this year’s Kentucky Derby after the work, but instead indicated that he’d need more time to come to that decision.

“Not yet. This afternoon,” he texted.

HELIUM, SOUP AND SANDWICH – D J Stable’s Helium and Live Oak Plantation’s homebred Soup and Sandwich both came out of their final Derby works Friday in fine order and had a very light Saturday morning, according to trainer Mark Casse’s assistant David Carroll.

“We were very happy with both of them in their works,” Carroll said. “They had a walk day today and a light jog up the road to make sure everything is OK and they’ll go back to the track tomorrow to gallop. They’ll school in the paddock Tuesday, and possibly once more, depending on their behavior. We got the works behind us, with the weather and all, so we’ll just hope for some luck at the draw (Tuesday) and go from there.”

HIDDEN STASH – BBN Racing’s Hidden Stash jogged Saturday morning at Keeneland and stood in the starting gate a day after working five furlongs in 1:00.60 for trainer Vicki Oliver.

“He jogged to the gate and stood, then jogged back home,” Oliver said.

Fourth in the Blue Grass (GII) in his most recent start, Hidden Stash is scheduled to walk Sunday and gallop Monday and Tuesday before vanning to Churchill Downs after training Tuesday morning.

HIGHLY MOTIVATED – Klaravich Stables’ Highly Motivated completed his last major work for the Derby for trainer Chad Brown, going five furlongs in 1:00.40 under exercise rider Peter Roman during the 7:30-7:45 allotted training time for Derby and Oaks horses. The son of Into Mischief, second to champion and Derby favorite Essential Quality in Keeneland’s April 3 Blue Grass (GII), hit the track immediately after the break and eagerly pulled away from stablemate Southern District, while galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20 and seven furlongs in 1:28.40.

“I thought he breezed really well and it went exactly how I wanted,” Brown said. “I wasn’t afraid to give him a good solid breeze and he did it and he did it well, with some in reserve too. He got over the track well, which I really wanted to see. He had been galloping well over it, but really, when you get to see a breeze, you can see more, obviously.”

HOT ROD CHARLIE – Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and Strauss Bros Racing’s Hot Rod Charlie was scheduled to work before Santa Anita’s first race Saturday at approximately 3 p.m. (Eastern).

He’s scheduled to fly to Louisville Sunday, according to trainer Doug O’Neill.

KEEPMEINMIND – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith’s Keepmeinmind walked the shedrow at trainer Robertino Diodoro’s barn a day after working a half-mile in :46.20.

According to Diodoro assistant Sean Williams, Keepmeinmind is scheduled to jog two miles Sunday.

KING FURY – Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s King Fury put in his final workout for the Kentucky Derby, with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard during the period reserved for training horses pointed to the Derby and Oaks.

Under the watchful eye of trainer Kenny McPeek, King Fury worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 without a workmate, with splits of :12.80, :25.20, :36.80, and :48.40. Hernandez guided him out to 1:12.80 for six furlongs and 1:26.60 for seven furlongs.

“Everything was good,” Hernandez said. “He did it with his ears up and he seems like he’s a happy horse. He’s got a little confidence in himself coming out of the Lexington. He’s coming into the Derby with some confidence.”

The colt, winner of the Lexington at Keeneland in his most recent start, was on the Derby bubble. However, he moved up to No. 20 on the points leaderboard on Friday, following the defections of Hozier and Dream Shake.

“We weren’t fretting about it too much,” McPeek said of the possibility that King Fury might miss the Derby and head instead to the Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico. “It was all up to a higher power, if we didn’t get in, then it was to go on to the Preakness. Those things are out of our control. What other people do with their horses, it’s not something we spend a lot of energy on. We would have worked him the same today, if he was going to Baltimore or if he was staying here.”

King Fury was a $950,000 purchase at the Fasig Tipton sale in August 2019, and McPeek said that the colt just might provide him with “the biggest shot that I’ve ever had” at winning the Derby.

“He’s a steady horse, and he knows what to do,” McPeek said. “He grinds away and does it quickly. Two weeks and a day ago, I had no notion that we’d be thinking about him running in the Derby. But he ran such a powerful race in the Lexington, that he really deserves a chance. And he’s 2-for-3 here at Churchill, two really good first starts, so we know that he really likes the ground.”

“We were always really high on him,” Hernandez said. “For him to finally show the talent we knew he always had in the Lexington, it was really nice.

“We’re fortunate that now we’ve gotten in the back door for the Derby with our 20 points,” Hernandez added. “Now we just have to give him a good, clean trip and let him show his stuff.”

LIKE THE KING – M Racing Group’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) winner Like the King wrapped up his major work for Kentucky Derby 147 by working five furlongs in 1:01 over a fast track Saturday morning at Keeneland. The move was the ninth fastest of 28 at the distance.

Working in company with the 4-year-old Artie’s Princess, the 2020 Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s champion female sprinter, Like the King started two lengths in back and edged clear at the wire, galloping out six furlongs in 1:15.40 with Julio Garcia aboard.

Wesley Ward, who put the finishing touches on the Keeneland Spring Meet training title with four victories on Friday’s closing-day card, plans to have Like the King jog Sunday morning and then gallop Monday and Tuesday morning before vanning to Churchill Downs after training Tuesday.

“He was nice and smooth down the lane,” said Ward, who now has 1,996 career victories. “He had that filly measured, as he did last week. He looked a lot smoother this week than last week. Last week he was kind of on the bridle. Today he was a lot more fluid.

“He’s a very difficult horse to gallop. He had a really, really strong last part of his gallop yesterday when a couple of workers came inside of him. So I wasn’t looking to go :59 or anything today.”

MEDINA SPIRIT – Zedan Racing Stables’ Medina Spirit made his initial trip over the main track at Churchill Downs Saturday morning, jogging a mile alongside a pony.

Runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (GI) in his most recent start, Medina Spirit arrived at Churchill Downs on Friday afternoon coming a day after working six furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:12.20.

Trainer Bob Baffert is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Sunday night and be trackside Monday morning.

MIDNIGHT BOURBON, SUPER STOCK – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Midnight Bourbon galloped over the track once again around 6:05 Saturday morning as he builds to his final Derby work, which is scheduled to come Monday morning for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Meanwhile, Erv Woolsey’s and Keith Asmussen’s Super Stock, fresh off an upset win in the April 10 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, signaled his readiness for the Derby earlier in the morning, going five furlongs in 1:01.20 in what was his final work for Asmussen. The son of Dialed In worked in company with 4-year-old stablemate Max Player and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60, and seven furlongs in 1:28. Super Stock has eight career starts, making him the most experienced member of the prospective Derby field, but looked like a fresh horse when he hit the track at 5:32.

“He went perfect and he gave us exactly what we were looking for,” Asmussen said. “I think that the horse’s confidence level is at an all-time high, he goes really well over this racetrack, and I couldn’t feel any better about him going into the Derby.”

O BESOS – Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Terry L. Stephens’ O Besos had a light one-mile jog early Saturday morning with exercise rider Margarito Fierro in the saddle for trainer Greg Foley.

“He was feeling pretty good this morning,” Foley said. “That was always good to see after a work. We just have to keep him happy until Saturday.”

ROCK YOUR WORLD – Hronis Racing and David Talla’s Rock Your World worked in company at 6:30 a.m. (Pacific) at Santa Anita this morning and registered a :59.20 drill on a fast racing strip.

The unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner went together with winner Best Chance and outfinished him by a couple of lengths, according to “Rock’s” trainer, John Sadler

“It was just what we were after,” the conditioner said by phone from his Southern California headquarters. “He went very well, was well within himself throughout and galloped out strongly.”

The Candy Ride colt, three for three lifetime and one of the favorites for Kentucky Derby 147 on May 1, will board a plane tomorrow and ship to Louisville. His conditioner also will ship Sunday, though on a different aircraft. They’ll operate out of Barn 43 on the Churchill Downs’ backside starting Monday morning.

STARRININMYDREAMS – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm’s third-place Lexington Stakes (GIII) finisher Starrininmydreams walked trainer Dallas Stewart’s Barn 34 shedrow following his five-furlong move in 1:00.40 Friday. He’s currently No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby preference list.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 1 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O’Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Caddo River (TBA, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller); King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek);

Next up in order of preference: Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Brooklyn Strong (TBA, Daniel Velazquez); Starrininmydreams (TBA, Dallas Stewart).

LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE – Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Crazy Beautiful, winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) in her most recent start, completed her final major piece of work for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks by working a half-mile in :49.20 under Danny Ramsey for trainer Kenny McPeek at Churchill Downs.

Also at Churchill Downs, Juddmonte Farms’ Millefeuille worked five furlongs in :59.60 in company to produce the fastest of 29 works at the distance. Ailsa Morrison was aboard the Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up for trainer Bill Mott.

At Belmont Park, Beach Haven Thoroughbreds’ Maracuja, runner-up in the Gazelle (GIII) in her most recent start, worked a half-mile in :48.20 for trainer Rob Atras. Maracuja is scheduled to head to Churchill Downs Sunday with a Monday arrival.

AVA’S GRACE – Cypress Creek Equine’s Ava’s Grace walked the shedrow at trainer Robertino Diodoro’s barn a day after working a half-mile in :49.20.

According to Diodoro assistant Sean Williams, Ava’s Grace is scheduled to jog two miles Sunday.

CLAIRIERE, PAULINE’S PEARL – Stonestreet Stables’ homebreds Clairiere and Pauline’s Pearl both galloped Saturday morning and are scheduled to have their final Oaks works Sunday morning. Trainer Steve Asmussen indicated he’ll keep and eye on the weather before determining when exactly his star fillies will go out.

“Obviously we’re expecting some rain (Saturday) so I don’t know if we’ll go right away or wait for a break or two,” Asmussen said.

COACH, TRAVEL COLUMN – Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) winner Travel Column and Fantasy (GIII) third-place finisher Coach had a scheduled walk day at trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 following their respective five-furlong breezes in 1:00.40 Friday.

COMPETITIVE SPEED – John Minchello’s Competitive Speed walked the shedrow for trainer Javier Gonzalez a day after working five furlongs in 1:02.40.

Gonzalez said Competitive Speed would return to the track Sunday morning.

Chris Landeros has picked up the Oaks mount on Competitive Speed and Gonzalez said there was a chance the rider would have a get-acquainted session one morning next week.

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL – Phoenix Thoroughbred LTD’s Crazy Beautiful, with exercise rider Danny Ramsey aboard, put in her final four-furlong work during the 15-minute period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls.

Crazy Beautiful was clocked at :49.20, with splits of :12 and :23.60, then finishing up at 1:02.60 for five furlongs.

Trainer Kenny McPeek was beaming after stablemates Crazy Beautiful and King Fury put in pleasing simultaneous workout efforts.

“She had a breeze last week in :59, which was a bullet work,” McPeek said. “So today I just went a half with her, something simple, again just a basic maintenance work. She’s eating good, and like King Fury, she’s doing super good, fingers crossed.”

The filly is third on the Oaks leaderboard, after winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) in her most recent outing.

“We had an issue with her last year, what we call scalping,” McPeek said. “Her front toes were cutting her in her back ankles. It is kind of a blacksmith issue, of leveling the feet. This year, it hasn’t been an issue; we had to actually give her a little bit of a break, some turnout time, and she stopped doing it completely.”

MALATHAAT – Shadwell Stable’s undefeated Malathaat merely had a “walk the shedrow” morning Saturday at Churchill Downs after accomplishing her final prep for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks the day before.

The bay daughter of Curlin, four-for-four and a three-time stakes winner, came out of her half-mile drill in :48.40 under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez in good order, according to conditioner Todd Pletcher.

“She went well,” Pletcher said of the Friday prep. “Depending on the weather, we’ll get her back on the track one way or another (Sunday).”

Malathaat is likely to be the favorite for the $1.25 million Run for the Lillies and will have Velazquez aboard for her nine-furlong journey.

MARACUJA – Beach Haven Thoroughbreds’ Maracuja put in her final Oaks work Saturday morning at Belmont Park, going 4 furlongs in 48.20 in company for trainer Rob Atras. The daughter of Honor Code stepped up off an maiden sprint win at Aqueduct in February to be a strong second there in the April 3 Gazelle (GIII) behind Oaks heavy hitter Search Results. Maracuja worked with 3-year-old New York-bred Horn of Plenty in what was her second move since the Gazelle, which was run over the Oaks’ 1 1/8 miles.

The work was the 11th fastest of 105 at the distance.

“I was very happy with it,” Atras said. “I wasn’t worried about the time but the track must have been playing fast because the work didn’t look that quick to me. She did it easily down the lane and had a nice even gallop out.”

Maracuja had hit the board in her first two starts and broke her maiden at odds-on but was a relative unknown at 18-1 in the six-horse Gazelle. She settled in fifth off a glacial half-mile in :50.09 but ran on gamely through the lane and was beaten just 2 ¾ lengths by Search Results, while 3 ¾ lengths clear of third. The significance of Maracuja’s result, and subsequent 40 Oaks qualifying points she earned in the process, didn’t register right away to Atras, though he’s fully grasped it now.

“It’s exciting,” Atras said. “Even up to a month ago, I never expected to be in the race (Oaks). Even after the race (Gazelle), it wasn’t on my mind until it sank in that we had the opportunity to go.”

Atras indicated that Maracuja will ship from Belmont Sunday afternoon and figures to arrive at Churchill Downs early Monday morning. She’ll be accompanied by his wife, Brittney, along with a groom. Atras will likely arrive in Louisville Thursday. Initial plans are for Maracuja to settle in Monday and get a feel for the track Tuesday morning.

MILLEFEUILLE – Juddmonte Farms’ Millefeuille worked five furlongs in :59.60 with Ailsa Morrison aboard as she completed her major preparations for next Friday’s Kentucky Oaks. The move was the best of 29 at the distance Saturday morning.

Working on the inside of Obligatory, who was fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII), Millefeuille produced splits of :12.60, :23.80, :35.80 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 and seven-eighths in 1:27.

“It looked good to me,” trainer Bill Mott said of the work that began after Millefeuille had galloped once around.

MORAZ – The California-based filly was said to have come out of her Friday drill (half mile in :48.20) at Santa Anita in good fettle Saturday morning according to assistant trainer Justin Curran, speaking at Churchill Barn 37 where the daughter of Empire Maker will be shipped to Sunday.

“They tell me she worked very well and is doing fine today,” Curran said. “Mike (trainer Michael McCarthy) has gone from Santa Anita up to Golden Gate (in the Bay Area) to run six horses on their big card this afternoon. He’ll come to Louisville from there tomorrow and be training here Monday morning.”

PASS THE CHAMPAGNE – R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, BlueRidge Stables and James Brown’s Pass the Champagne galloped Saturday morning at Palm Beach Downs.

Trainer George Weaver said the Ashland (GI) runner-up would have a similar exercise in the morning before beginning the trip to Churchill Downs that has an early Monday arrival time.

SEARCH RESULTS – Klaravich Stables’ Search Results came out of her final Oaks work Friday in good order, according to trainer Chad Brown. The undefeated daughter of Flatter walked the shedrow Saturday morning and will return to the track Sunday and gallop, likely during the 7:30-7:45 Derby and Oaks training window.

WILL’S SECRET – Willis Horton’s Honeybee (GIII) winner Will’s Secret walked trainer Dallas Stewart’s Barn 34 at Churchill Downs following her half-mile breeze in :48.20 Friday morning.

“We’re ready to roll,” Stewart said.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, April 30 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown); Travel Column (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, Kenny McPeek); Pauline’s Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Malathaat (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen); Will’s Secret (Jon Court, Dallas Stewart); Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, Bill Mott); Moraz (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy); Ava’s Grace (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, George Weaver); Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, Rob Atras); Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, Javier Gonzalez); Coach (Luis Saez, Brad Cox).

Next up in order of preference: Spritz (TBA, Rodolphe Brisset).

STAKES PROBABLES – The following are the early probable stakes race entrants for Kentucky Derby Week, according to assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork:

The 27th running of the $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco (Grade II), run Friday, April 30 at 5 ½ furlongs on turf, entries close Monday, April 26: American Butterfly (D. Wayne Lukas); Carotari (Brian Lynch); Classy John (Dallas Stewart): Diamond Oops (Patrick Biancone); Firecrow (Ron Moquett); Just Might (Michelle Lovell); Sombeyay (Peter Miller).

The 37th Running of the $300,000 Edgewood presented by Newport Racing & Gaming (Grade II), run on Friday, April 30 at 1 1/16 miles on turf, entries close Monday, April 26: Aunt Pearl (IRE) (Brad Cox); I Get It (Mark Casse); Oliviaofthedesert (Kenny McPeek); Postnup (Cherie DeVaux); Queen of the Green (Jason Barkley). Possible: Jouster (Todd Pletcher), Zaajel (Pletcher).

The 66th running of the $300,000 Eight Belles presented by Smithfield (Grade II), run on Friday April 30 at seven furlongs, entries close Monday, April 26: Abrogate (Steve Asmussen); Dayoutoftheoffice (Tim Hamm); Euphoric (Bernie Flint); Slumber Party (Kelly Breen); Sun Path (Brad Cox); Windmill (Larry Jones). Possible: Joyful Cadence (John Ortiz).

The 18th running of the $400,000 Alysheba presented by Sentient Jet (Grade II), run on Friday, April 30 at 1 1/16 miles, entries close Monday, April 26: Attachment Rate (Dale Romans); Chess Chief (Dallas Stewart); Maxfield (Brendan Walsh); Max Player (Steve Asmussen); Roadster (Bob Baffert): Sonneman (Steve Asmussen); Visitant (Bill Morey).

The 36th running of the $500,000 La Troienne presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade I), run on Friday, April 30 at 1 1/16 miles, entries close Monday, April 26: As Time Goes By (Bob Baffert); Dunbar Road (Chad Brown); Envoutante (Kenny McPeek); Paris Lights (Bill Mott); Sanenus (CHI) (Michael McCarthy); Shedaresthedevil (Brad Cox). Possible: Finite (Steve Asmussen).

The 30th running of the $500,000 American Turf presented by Derby City Gaming (Grade II), run on Saturday, May 1 at 1 1/16 miles on turf, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Fire At Will (Mike Maker); Holy Vow (John Ortiz); Lucky Law (Patrick Biancone); Palazzi (Mark Casse); Winfromwithin (Todd Pletcher).

The 97th running of the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU, run on Saturday, May 1 at one mile, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Excellent Timing (Chad Brown); Gretzky the Great (Mark Casse); Jackie’s Warrior (Steve Asmussen); Prevalence (Brendan Walsh); Whiskey Double (Steve Asmussen). Possible: Dream Shake (Peter Eurton); Dreamer’s Disease (Robertino Diodoro).

The 36th running of the $500,000 Longines Distaff Turf Mile (Grade II), run on Saturday, May 1 at one mile on turf, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Abscond (Eddie Kenneally); Blowout (Chad Brown); Got Stormy (Mark Casse).

The 35th running of the $500,000 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery (Grade I), run on Saturday, May 1 at seven furlongs, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Bell’s the One (Neil Pessin); Gamine (Bob Baffert), Sconsin (Greg Foley). Possible: Finite (Steve Asmussen); Hibiscus Punch (Justin Nixon).

The 86th running of the $500,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford (Grade I), run on Saturday, May 1 at seven furlongs, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Bango (Greg Foley); Hog Creek Hustle (Vickie Foley); Lexitonian (Jack Sisterson); Phat Man (Kent Sweezey); Mind Control (Gregg Sacco); Tap It To Win (Mark Casse).

The 35th running of the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (Grade I), run on Saturday, May 1 at 1 1/8 miles on turf, entries close Tuesday, April 27: Colonel Liam (Todd Pletcher); Digital Age (Chad Brown); Ivar (BRZ) (Paolo Lobo); Masteroffoxhounds (Richard Baltas); Ride a Comet (Mark Casse); Smooth Like Strait (Michael McCarthy). Possible: Flavius (Chad Brown), Spooky Channel (Brian Lynch).

BACKSIDE MEDIA PROTOCOLS STARTING SATURDAY – Starting Saturday, all media without a barn area parking pass must park in the Brown, Turquoise or Yellow Lot and will not be permitted to drive through the Stable Gate Entrance.

Also, media members that plan to be on the backside starting Saturday that have not picked up their Kentucky Derby credentials, must email Kevin Kerstein at Kevin.Kerstein@kyderby.com with their driver’s license number to be added to the credential system. Failure to do so may not permit you access to the backside.

Credential Office hours can be found in the Kentucky Derby Rules and Regulations document that was sent via email with the credential link.

The Brown, Turquoise and Yellow lots will be open through Wednesday.

KENTUCKY DERBY, OAKS MORNING WORKOUTS OPEN TO PUBLIC – Though Wednesday, April 28, Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7-10 a.m. so guests can watch the nation’s top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds train toward their engagements in this year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Horses train on Churchill Downs’ main track daily from 5:15-10 a.m. However, there will be an exclusive training window only for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:30-7:45 a.m. following the 7-7:30 a.m. renovation break. Those horses will be identified by special saddle towels which include their names: yellow saddle towels for Derby horses and pink saddle towels for Oaks contenders.

Churchill Downs will live stream the Kentucky Derby Morning Works presented by TwinSpires.com across its social media channels. Video also will be broadcast on Churchill Downs’ Big Board.

Guests can enter Churchill Downs through the Paddock Gate and should park for free in the nearby White Lot for convenient entry. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.

Face coverings are required and guests must practice social distancing. Churchill Downs will continue to rely on proven health and safety protocols and operate within the guidance of local and state health officials as well as the CDC.

Food and beverage may not be brought into the facility between Saturday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 28 because of Kentucky Derby Week security protocols but Churchill Downs’ new Paddock Grill will be open during that period to offer breakfast items for purchase.