Derby Dozen: Preps Over, Focus Shifts to Morning Works

1. Essential Quality  

Owner/Trainer: Godolphin/Brad Cox

Pedigree: Tapit  —Delightful Quality , by Elusive Quality  

Breeder: Godolphin (KY)

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) favorite did not overpower his workmate, Spa City , in a breeze April 17, though he still worked quickly with five furlongs in :59 3/5. Beginning about a length back, he finished on even terms, though Spa City stayed slightly in front on the gallop out. Last year's champion juvenile's finest moments have come in the afternoons, compiling a 5-for-5 race record.

2. Known Agenda  

St. Elias Stable/Todd Pletcher

Curlin  —Byrama , by Byron 

St. Elias Stable (KY)

He also had a head-and-head breeze with a workmate at Churchill Downs, timed in 1:00 2/5 for five-eighths April 16 while working with Derby longshot Sainthood . Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. gave him some taps on his shoulder with his crop as encouragement. The Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) winner is typically not a fast-working type but is in stellar form since adding blinkers.

3. Hot Rod Charlie  

Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, and William Strauss/Doug O'Neill

Oxbow  —Indian Miss , by Indian Charlie  

Edward A. Cox Jr. (KY)

Two-time Derby-winning trainer Doug O'Neill has elected to keep him in California to prepare before the colt travels to Kentucky the week of the race. The Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner breezed six furlongs in 1:14 1/5 Saturday at Santa Anita Park, beginning about a length and a half behind Itsthattime  and finishing in front of that rival by about that same margin. Flavien Prat picks up the Derby ride.

4. Rock Your World  

Hronis Racing and Talla Racing/John Sadler

Candy Ride  —Charm the Maker , by Empire Maker  

Ron and Debbie McAnally (KY)

Like Hot Rod Charlie, he is readying for the Derby at Santa Anita, where he worked five furlongs in :59 3/5 Saturday. The Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner dispatched workmate Tripoli  and galloped out with enthusiasm. This horse was in the news for another reason over the weekend when trainer John Sadler announced that 2013 Derby winning-jockey Joel Rosario would ride him in the Derby, replacing Umberto Rispoli.

5. Medina Spirit  

Zedan Racing Stables/Bob Baffert

Protonico  —Mongolian Changa , by Brilliant Speed  

Gail Rice (FL)

Six-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, who appeared to hold several aces in his Derby hand just a month ago, is down to a single Derby entrant with this consistent 3-year-old, the runner-up to Rock Your World in the Santa Anita Derby (Life Is Good  fell off the Derby trail due to injury and Concert Tour  will await the Preakness Stakes, G1). Excellent workout from Medina Spirit Friday at Santa Anita.

6. Mandaloun  

Juddmonte Farms/Brad Cox

Into Mischief  —Brooch , by Empire Maker  

Juddmonte Farms (KY)

Of the Derby prospects that breezed at Churchill Downs Saturday, he was arguably the flashiest. Under a hold by jockey Florent Geroux in a team move with maiden winner Colonel Bowman , he zipped six furlongs in 1:11 2/5, not asked until his gallop out, timed in 1:25 1/5 for seven furlongs. Look for the Risen Star Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) winner to bounce back from a Louisiana Derby sixth-place finish.

7. Midnight Bourbon  

Winchell Thoroughbreds/Steve Asmussen

Tiznow —Catch the Moon , by Malibu Moon    

Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY)

A bit keen early in his final major Derby drill at Churchill April 19, he left maiden winner Bajan Rum  behind with five-eighths in :59 4/5, galloping out with six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 and seven furlongs in 1:26. He had plenty of energy left even while getting his bath after the work, getting loose momentarily before caught by a handler. On the board in all seven starts, including five straight graded stakes.

8. Super Stock  

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen/Steve Asmussen

Dialed In  —Super Girlie , by Closing Argument  

Pedro Gonzalez & P. J. Gonzalez (KY)

Four Kentucky Derby winners this century have exited the Arkansas Derby (G1), a race this colt won April 10. As well as he performed in the Arkansas Derby, bear in mind his fine trip. He was able to draft behind two dueling leaders and was never more than one or two paths off the fence around the turns in a six-horse race. Navigating such a smooth journey through a much larger field in the Derby will prove challenging. 

9. O Besos 

Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, and West Point Thoroughbreds/Greg Foley 

Orb  —Snuggs and Kisses , by Soto 

L. Barrett Bernard (KY)

Having secured entry in the Derby following recent defections, he cracks the 'Dozen, seeming the type that could rally to get a share of the purse. His performance in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby was telling, as he showed his stretch kick could lead to him threatening at a route. He came from last to grab third, only a head behind runner-up Midnight Bourbon. Caddo River 's expected Derby participation should contribute to a lively pace to aid his charge. 

10. Highly Motivated  

Klaravich Stables/Chad Brown

Into Mischief—Strong Incentive , by Warrior's Reward   

Klaravich Stables (KY)

The Keeneland track record holder for 6 1/2 furlongs (1:14.99 in winning the Nyquist Stakes last fall), he was stubborn as the lone speed in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2), holding second to Essential Quality. Chief concern remains that he has only raced once around two turns and now goes 1 1/4 miles. Sharp in a half-mile tune-up at Keeneland April 18, outworking stablemate Founder  and timed in a bullet :47 1/5 under a hold.

11. Soup and Sandwich   

Live Oak Plantation/Mark Casse

Into Mischief—Souper Scoop , by Tapit  

Live Oak Stud (FL)

Mandaloun got the highest marks for his breeze around the Churchill Downs strip Saturday, but this sophomore wasn't far behind. He settled kindly off workmate Epic Dreamer  and flew past under a loose rein to complete five-eighths in :59 4/5. He then galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 and seven-eighths in 1:25 1/5. Short on seasoning with three starts and didn't switch leads until late when second in the Florida Derby.

12. Dynamic One  

Repole Stable, Phipps Stable, and St. Elias Stable/Todd Pletcher

Union Rags  —Beat the Drums , by Smart Strike  

Phipps Stable (KY)

Bourbonic  caught him late to win the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2), but the Wood runner-up was the better of the two in a team half-mile drill at Churchill Friday. He was timed in :48 3/5, and was lengths superior on the gallop out. A wide trip proved costly in the Wood, but prone to slow starts, he is often in catch-up mode, leaving him more at risk for such trips.