2018 Kentucky Derby workout report for February 25

While no prep races over the weekend meant no movement on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard, plenty of action still took place this past week in terms of works.

Many runners are gearing up for the next stage on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Championship portion of the points series. Fair Grounds' Risen Start Stakes (G2) kicked it off on February 17 and the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park will continue it on March 3.

Before that, though, a pair of European Road to the Kentucky Derby races will take place – the Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes at Kempton Park on March 1 and the Patton Stakes at Dundalk on March 2.

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(Workers in Leaderboard order)

Good Magic (24 Derby points) – Chad Brown-trained champion recorded his final major work before the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), breezing a half-mile in :48.30 over the fast dirt at Palm Meadows Training Center on February 24; chestnut will make his three-year-old bow, and first start since taking last November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, in the 1 1/16-mile affair.

Firenze Fire (24) – Florida-bred bay returned to the worktab with a half-mile breeze in :51.23 over Belmont Park’s fast dirt training track on February 21; first move by Jason Servis pupil since runner-up effort in February 3 Withers Stakes (G3); March 10 Gotham Stakes (G3) and April 7 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct are targets for the colt.

McKinzie (20) – Bob Baffert trainee, once again working in company, clocked seven furlongs in 1:25.40 over Santa Anita Park’s fast main track on February 24; bay colt has either the March 10 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita or March 17 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park as options for his next race.

Instilled Regard (19) – Jerry Hollendorfer charge turned a half-mile in :49.80 over Santa Anita’s fast dirt on February 25; it was his first work since finishing fourth as 7-5 favorite in the Risen Star Stakes (G2); could return to New Orleans for March 24 Louisiana Derby (G2) or stay in California for April 7 Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Bolt d’Oro (14) – Once-beaten bay colt traveled five-eighths in 1:01.20 over Santa Anita’s fast dirt on February 20; Mick Ruis-bred/owned/trained runner, last seen finishing third in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) as the 3-5 favorite, scheduled to make his belated sophomore bow in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).

Free Drop Billy (14) – Dale Romans pupil breezed five furlongs in 1:01.55 over Gulfstream Park’s fast main track on February 24; second move for chestnut since making his three-year-old bow a runner-up effort in the February 3 Holy Bull Stakes (G2); Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) could be next.

Solomini (14) – Last-out Los Aamitosl Futurity (G1) disqualified winner covered seven furlongs in 1:24.80 in company over Santa Anita’s fast dirt on February 24; Bob Baffert charge under consideration for the San Felipe Stakes (G2) or Rebel Stakes (G2).

The other three members of the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard Top 10 did not work this past week. Two are exiting runs in last Saturday’s Risen Star Stakes (G2) while the third was most recently seen in the February 10 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Bravazo (54) – Dark bay colt upset the Risen Star Stakes (G2) by a nose at 21-1 for Hall of Fame conditioner D. Wayne Lukas; Kentucky-bred shipped back to trainer at Oaklawn Park after his Fair Grounds win but is expected to return to New Orleans for the Louisiana Derby (G2).

Snapper Sinclair (22) – Steve Asmussen pupil was third in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) on January 13 and nosed out for the win at 41-1 in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) after setting the pace; Louisiana Derby (G2) could be next for bay colt.

Catholic Boy (14) – Jonathan Thomas trainee most recently ran second in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs on February 10; Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby (G1) on March 31 are possible targets.