Kentucky Derby Roundup: Aug. 24, 2020

Stay up to speed on the Road to the Kentucky Derby news with a weekly roundup of all the latest news and developments:

Changes on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard

The field is pretty much set following a number of midweek defections from fringe contenders and late bloomers. Pneumatic will skip the Derby to await the Oct. 3 Preakness (G1), Swiss Skydiver will pass in favor of the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1), Jesus’ Team will target the Sept. 5 Jim Dandy (G2), and Kiss Today Goodbye will take aim at the Del Mar Derby (G2).

As a result, the undefeated Marine (G3) winner Shirl’s Speight has squeezed into the Kentucky Derby field, even though he failed to earn any qualification points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Allowance winner Money Moves sits 21st on the leaderboard and will draw into the field should the connections of Santa Anita Derby (G1) third-place finisher Rushie (currently an uncertain starter) choose to skip the Run for the Roses.

On the Kentucky Derby Work Tab

Art Collector: Breezed a half-mile in :49.10 over the all-weather track at the Skylight Training Center on Friday. The son of Bernardini galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 and will arrive at Churchill Downs early this week.

Attachment Rate: Posted a maintenance half-mile move on Sunday at Churchill Downs, traveling the distance in :48.60.

Authentic: Turned in a fast workout on Wednesday at Del Mar, clocking 6 furlongs in 1:13.40. He was slated to work again on Monday morning, but the move was aborted after another horse suffered an injury just as Authentic’s exercise was beginning. He’ll try again on Tuesday and ship to Churchill Downs this Sunday.

Caracaro: Tackled a sloppy main track on Saturday at Saratoga and promptly clocked 5 furlongs in 1:01.02. Caracaro started slow, traveling the opening quarter-mile in :25.60, but he picked up the pace thereafter while flying home in :35.42. He’ll breeze again this Saturday and ship to Churchill Downs the following day.

Dr Post: Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.75 on Friday at Saratoga, going in company with Money Moves and galloping out in strong fashion. While not yet a definite starter for the Kentucky Derby, Dr Post is tentatively scheduled to fly to Churchill Downs next Monday.

Enforceable: Turned in a serious move on Sunday at Churchill Downs, working 6 furlongs in 1:12.20. Working in company with Ghost Fighter on a foggy morning, Enforceable clocked the first five-eighths in a snappy :59.20 before continuing another furlong past the finish line to complete the move.

Finnick the Fierce: Fired off a bullet breeze at The Thoroughbred Center on Wednesday, traversing five-eighths of a mile in :59.80.

Honor A. P.: Worked by himself on Saturday afternoon at Del Mar, recording 5 furlongs in 1:00.20. With Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in the saddle, the son of Honor Code posted splits of :12, :24, :36.20, and :47.60 before galloping out strongly through 6 furlongs in 1:12.20 and 1:25.40. Honor A. P. has picked up his training significantly since finishing second in the Shared Belief S. and should be fitter and faster for the Kentucky Derby. He’ll join Authentic on the flight to Churchill Downs next Monday.

King Guillermo: Cranked out another scintillating workout on Saturday at Churchill Downs, flying through 5 furlongs in a bullet :58.20. Fractions of :11.40, :23, :34.80, and :46.60 were impressive, but the best part of King Guillermo’s move was the gallop-out, as he continued through 6 furlongs in 1:10.80. Fitness shouldn’t be an issue for the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner, even while returning from a 4-month layoff.

Major Fed: Took to the Churchill Downs main track on Tuesday and sped 5 furlongs in 1:01.20. The start was slow, with the first quarter elapsing in :25.20, but he picked up the pace late through a half-mile in :48.80 and galloped-out 6 furlongs in 1:14.60.

Max Player: In his second workout at Churchill Downs, Max Player clocked 5 furlongs in a rapid :59.60. Traveling in company with stablemate Allege, the son of Honor Code started two lengths behind his companion before sprinting to even terms through a final quarter in :23.80. Max Player then continued past the finish line through 6 furlongs in 1:12.60, concluding what will likely be his most serious breeze before the Kentucky Derby.

Money Moves: Joined stablemate Dr Post for a workout on Friday at Saratoga, traveling 5 furlongs in 1:00.75.

Ny Traffic: Posted a quick move on Thursday at Saratoga, rocketing through five-eighths of a mile in :59.03. According to the Daily Racing Form, stablemate Queen Nekia gave Ny Traffic a target to chase, breaking in front before coming home in :59.63.

Rushie: Burned up the Del Mar main track on Thursday, blazing a bullet 5 furlongs in :59. He’ll catch a flight to Louisville on Tuesday and wrap up his pre-Derby training at Churchill Downs.

Shirl’s Speight: Continues to work strongly over the dirt training track at Woodbine, negotiating a mile in 1:39.20 on Friday. The son of Speightstown gained a lot of experience from the exercise, as he worked alongside five other horses and raced behind, inside, and between workmates during the duration of the complex move. Short of actually competing in a race on dirt, this workout was the next-best thing.

Sole Volante: Traveled a stiff mile over the Palm Meadows turf course on Tuesday, clocking the distance in 1:39. He’ll travel by van to Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Storm the Court: Continues to show speed during morning training, working a bullet 5 furlongs in :59 on Saturday at Del Mar. The move was reportedly quicker than trainer Peter Eurton was looking for, but on the bright side it hints Storm the Court is doing well. He’ll fly to Churchill Downs with Authentic and Honor A. P. next Monday.

Thousand Words: Posted a quick 5-furlong workout on Sunday at Del Mar, going the distance in 1:00. The Bob Baffert-trained colt worked in company with Cezanne and had his capable companion measured at the finish line. He’ll join stablemate Authentic on the Monday flight to Louisville.

Tiz the Law: Turned in his penultimate pre-Derby move on Sunday at Saratoga, signaling his readiness by blazing 5 furlongs in a bullet :59.47 before continuing through 6 furlongs in 1:12.80 and 7 furlongs in 1:26. The exercise was delayed one day due to rain, but Tiz the Law paid no heed and worked fantastic. He looms as the heaviest Derby favorite in recent memory and will travel to Kentucky by plane next Monday.

Winning Impression: Breezed a straightforward half-mile in :48.40 on Friday at Churchill Downs.