Cyberknife, Zandon, Messier Work Toward KY Derby

Contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) kicked it into high gear April 23, with several horses across the country logging serious workouts for the May 7 classic.

Cyberknife , Smile Happy , Tiz the Bomb , and Un Ojo  all breezed at Churchill Downs, while Zandon  breezed at Keeneland.

Gold Square's Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Cyberknife breezed at 5:15 a.m. ET with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle. The son of Gun Runner   worked on the outside of stablemate Koolhous. Cyberknife started two lengths back at the five-furlong marker and finished two lengths in front at the wire for six furlongs in 1:12 1/5. Cyberknife continued his strong move around the far turn and completed seven furlongs in 1:24 3/5, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols.

Cyberknife (@flothejock up) outside Koolhaus 6F 1:12.20. Cyberknife started two lengths back and finished two in front. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/Zm1EIrghTR

— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 23, 2022

"It was a really strong move and he's a really good work horse," Geroux said. "He continues to improve as time goes on and he showed that winning the Arkansas Derby. Even going back to his allowance win before the Arkansas Derby he showed a new level of class."

During the 7:30-7:45 a.m. training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders, Lucky Seven Stable's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Smile Happy  and Magdalena Racing Lessee's Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Tiz the Bomb  breezed in company. Smile Happy and jockey Corey Lanerie began the work about one length in front of Brian Hernandez Jr. and Tiz the Bomb. Hernandez and Tiz the Bomb moved to the outside of Smile Happy and they finished in tandem at the wire, with Smile Happy clocked in 1:00 2/5 and Tiz the Bomb in 1:00 1/5.

Watch #KyDerby contenders Tiz the Bomb and Smile Happy work together under the Twin Spires.

Tiz the Bomb (outside) 5 furlongs in 1:00.20. Smile Happy (inside) 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 pic.twitter.com/7JR3doCKFp

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 23, 2022

"We were just looking for an easy move today and we got that," trainer Kenny McPeek said. "We'll probably do the same thing again next week."

Cypress Creek Equine's Un Ojo breezed under trainer Ricky Courville's son Clay Courville through eighth-mile splits of :11 3/5, :23, :35, and :47 3/5. After finishing five furlongs in :59 2/5, Un Ojo galloped out to six furlongs in 1:12 1/5.

"It's amazing being here at Churchill Downs," Clay said. "I've been here before but nothing like this. (Un Ojo) is getting over the track really well."

At Keeneland, Zandon worked four furlongs in :48 3/5 while completing eighth-mile fractions of :12 4/5, :25 1/5, and :37. He galloped out to five furlongs in 1:00 4/5, six furlongs in 1:13 4/5, and seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27 3/5.

Watch Kentucky Derby contender and Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner Zandon work a 1/2 mile in :48.60 on the Keeneland main track this morning @TheRealChadCBr1 → pic.twitter.com/eh0MnhJZzC

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 23, 2022

Trainer Chad Brown, who watched the workout from the grandstand, as did jockey Flavien Prat, reported Zandon will ship to Churchill April 24 and will have his final workout there April 30. Zandon ranks second on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 114 points.

With exercise rider Kriss Bon aboard, Zandon clocked splits of :12 4/5, :25 1/5, and :37.

"He was moving super; just what we wanted to see," Brown said. "We just wanted to maintain where he is. He does not have to get any fitter. I was impressed with how he galloped out."

In California, RUNHAPPY Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Messier  clocked five furlongs in :59 4/5 under Drayden Van Dyke for trainer Tim Yakteen. Stablemate Taiba, who defeated Messier in the Santa Anita Derby, is to have only one workout preceding the Derby, coming next week, Daily Racing Form reported. 

John Velazquez rides Messier in the Derby while Mike Smith is on Taiba.