Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: April 25, 2022

Less than two weeks remain until the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) take place at Churchill Downs. The fields are steadily coming into focus, and the prospective entrants are busily fine-tuning their training regimens.

Let’s catch up on the latest Kentucky Derby and Oaks news:

Changes on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard

The Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard experienced a shift on Sunday when Gotham S. (G3) winner Morello (50 points) exited the picture with a hoof issue stemming from a troubled sixth-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2).

Morello’s defection meant that Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher Pioneer of Medina (25 points) advanced to 20th place on the leaderboard.

But that changed again on Monday morning, when Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Classic Causeway (66 points) reentered the Kentucky Derby scene after previously being removed from the leaderboard. The son of Giant's Causeway ranks in 11th place, pushing Pioneer of Medina back down to 21st place.

Pioneer of Medina and the other bubble horses are awaiting the status of Wood Memorial (G2) runner-up Early Voting. In the main body of the field but an uncertain Derby starter, he would open up a spot if he opts to skip the first Saturday in May.

Next on the bubble after Pioneer of Medina is Fountain of Youth S. (G2) runner-up In Due Time (24 points), who isn’t a guaranteed Derby starter either. Ethereal Road (22 points, 23rd place), Rich Strike (21 points, 24th place) and Rattle N Roll (20 points, 25th place) are next in line, followed by Sunland Derby (G3) runner-up Bye Bye Bobby (20 points), who has rejoined the leaderboard after missing the Lexington S. (G3) with a foot abscess, as reported by Marty McGee the Daily Racing Form.

On the work tab

Barber Road: Cruised through an easy six furlongs in 1:16.40 on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Charge It: Turned in a quick move in his first breeze at Churchill Downs, traveling five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Friday.

Classic Causeway: Breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Saturday at Churchill Downs and subsequently rejoined the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Crown Pride: Took a spin over the Churchill Downs main track on Tuesday, clocking half a mile in :49.80. He then breezed the same distance in :49.20 on Sunday.

Cyberknife: Clocked six furlongs in a snappy 1:12.20 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Epicenter: The possible Kentucky Derby favorite breezed six furlongs in 1:12.20 on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Ethereal Road: Traveled five furlongs in an easy 1:02.20 on Monday at Churchill Downs.

Mo Donegal: In his first workout since arriving at Churchill Downs, the Wood Memorial (G2) winner cruised an easy four furlongs in :50.20.

Pioneer of Medina: Produced a bullet five-furlong workout on Monday at Churchill Downs, stopping the timer in :59.80.

Rattle N Roll: Fired off four furlongs in :48.40 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Simplification: Turned in a fast five-furlong workout on Friday at Gulfstream Park, getting the distance in :59.42.

Smile Happy: Worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Tiz the Bomb: Breezed five furlongs on Saturday at Churchill Downs and recorded a quick time, stopping the clock in 1:00.20.

Un Ojo: Blazed a bullet five furlongs in :59.40 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

White Abarrio: Took to the Gulfstream Park main track on Sunday to breeze five furlongs in 1:00.04.

Zandon: Clocked half a mile in :48.60 on Saturday at Keeneland.

Zozos: Produced a fast six-furlong workout on Friday at Churchill Downs, completing the move in 1:12.40.

Road to the Kentucky Oaks updates

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard remains largely unchanged with Kathleen O. (150 points) atop the chart and Shahama (50 points) ranking as the 14th and final qualifier. However, there was a bit of action just outside the Top 14 cutoff.

For starters, Las Virgenes S. (G3) winner Adare Manor (40 points) and Fantasy S. (G3) runner-up Beguine (40 points) have been officially made late nominees to the Kentucky Oaks, placing them 16th and 18th on the leaderboard. But according to Daily Racing Form, Adare Manor will skip the Oaks. Fantasy third-place finisher Bubble Rock (30 points) has also been removed from consideration.

Looking ahead

The Kentucky Derby post position draw is scheduled for Monday, May 2, at which time the final entries will be confirmed. In the meantime, bettors can watch the Derby and Oaks contenders train via the Kentucky Derby Morning Works Show starting at 7:00 a.m. each morning.