Derby Contenders Work Over Churchill Downs Track

With only three weeks remaining until the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Albaugh Family Stables' Catching Freedom ; Amerman Racing's Endlessly ; Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, and Valley View Farm's Mystik Dan ; and David Bernsen, Tony and Michael Holmes, and Norevale Farm's Common Defense  continued their training towards the Run for the Roses with published workouts the morning of April 13 at Churchill Downs.

Catching Freedom

Soon after the track opened at 5:30 a.m., Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom was the first Derby contender to work when he went a solo half-mile in :48.  With exercise rider Edvin Vargas in the saddle, Catching Freedom clipped early eighth-mile fractions of :11 3/5 and :23 3/5. The talented son of Constitution   continued his work around the far turn through five furlongs in 1:01 and completed six furlongs in 1:14 3/5, according to Churchill Downs clocker Adam Wallace.

"He's had very steady training the last five, six weeks," trainer Brad Cox said. "We've worked him solo the last couple times and he's done very well. I'd say the track this morning was a bit heavy but he still got over it fine. His last two works have been fairly easy and we'll see how things shake out over the next two weeks with what we'll do before the Derby."

Mystik Dan, Common Defense

Just after Catching Freedom completed his work, the Kenny McPeek-trained Mystik Dan began his move. The Southwest Stakes (G3) winner cruised a half-mile in :48 with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle. Under Hernandez, who's been aboard the colt in five of six career starts, Mystik Dan worked an opening quarter-mile in :24 1/5 and galloped out five furlongs in a solid 1:00 4/5.  

"He ran a credible third last time in the Arkansas Derby," McPeek said. "I think he got a lot out of that race and has shown he handled it well in his training after."

McPeek's other possible Derby contender, Common Defense, worked an easy half-mile in :49 2/5 following the 7:30 am track renovation break. The Rebel Stakes (G2) runner-up currently needs two defections to make the field of 20.

Endlessly

Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Endlessly also breezed after the renovation break, clocking a half-mile in :49 in company with stablemate Yellow Card  for trainer Michael McCarthy. Endlessly, who's possible to compete in the Kentucky Derby or $600,000 American Turf (G2T), worked on the inside of Turfway Park maiden special weight winner Yellow Card. The duo stayed together until the wire when Endlessly began to gain the slight edge while galloping out five furlongs in 1:02 1/5. 

Endlessly completing a half-mile in :49 inside Yellow Card. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/K4Gv1kuzsC

— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 13, 2024

Several other Kentucky Derby contenders had scheduled training sessions Saturday morning including Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Dornoch  and his stablemate, Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) runner-up Society Man . Both horses galloped about 1 1/2 miles under trainer Danny Gargan's assistant Priscilla Schaefer. 

Kentucky Oaks Workers

Also on Saturday, Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders Tarifa  and Thorpedo Anna  had published workouts.

Tarifa, the winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), worked a half-mile in :48 4/5 at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Alexis Aguilar in the irons. About 90 minutes earlier, Fantasy Stakes (G2) winner Thorpedo Anna worked a half-mile in :48 1/5.

April 14 Action

The April 14 work tab at Churchill Downs is scheduled to include Louisiana Derby runner-up Honor Marie  and Risen Star Stakes (G2) runner-up Track Phantom . 

Even though the spotlight was on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders breezing Saturday morning at Churchill Downs, before the track opened, around 4 a.m., UAE Derby (G2) winner Forever Young  arrived at the Kentucky Import Center and could train Sunday morning.