Kentucky Derby Roundup: June 1, 2020

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

Changes on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard

The Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard experienced a couple of unfortunate injury-related shakeups last week. The biggest development came on Thursday when the undefeated Arkansas Derby (G1) division winner Nadal suffered a condylar fracture during a morning workout, an injury that prompted his immediate retirement. The son of Blame had been ranked #1 on the leaderboard with 150 qualification points; in his absence, the top spot now belongs to Florida Derby (G1) winner Tiz the Law with 122 points.

It has also been announced that Remsen (G2) winner Shotski (25th place, 19 points) will be given the rest of the year off to recover from bone bruising, removing the colt from Kentucky Derby consideration.

Kentucky Derby News and Notes

The Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown has been added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby agenda. Scheduled for June 27, the 1 1/8-mile race will award qualification points to the top four finishers on a 20-8-4-2 basis.

Dates have also been confirmed for the Indiana Derby (G3) at Indiana Grand and Shared Belief S. at Del Mar. The Indiana Derby (a 20-8-4-2 prep) will take place on July 8, while the Shared Belief (worth 50-20-10-5) will be held on Aug. 1.

Lastly, the deadline for late Triple Crown nominations has been extended to June 3, postponed from March 30 due to the effects of COVID-19. Horses can be supplemented to the series for a cost of $3,000.

On the Work Tab for the Kentucky Derby

Anneau d’Or: Completed his serious preparations for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) when clocking 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

Authentic: Undefeated favorite for the Santa Anita Derby sped 5 furlongs in 1:00.00 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Azul Coast: Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 on Sunday at Santa Anita,

Basin: Took things easy on Thursday at Churchill Downs, breezing 4 furlongs in :51.20 over a good track.

Cezanne: Unraced maiden blazed 4 furlongs in a bullet :47.60 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Charlatan: In his first workout since dominating the first division of the Arkansas Derby, Charlatan clocked an easy half-mile in :50 on Wednesday at Santa Anita. He followed up with 5 furlongs in a snappy 1:00.80 on Monday as he gears up for a potential start in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Dr Post: Belmont Stakes contender worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.62 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

Ete Indien: With the Haskell (G1) as a target, the Fountain of Youth (G2) winner breezed a half-mile in :49.60 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Farmington Road: Burned up the track at Palm Beach Downs on Friday in preparation for a start in the Belmont Stakes, flying through 5 furlongs in :59.70.

Finnick the Fierce: Sped 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:00.00 on Tuesday at The Thoroughbred Center.

Gouverneur Morris: Taking aim at the Belmont Stakes, the multiple Grade 1-placed Gouverneur Morris clocked 5 furlongs in 1:00.62 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

Honor A. P.: Wrapped up his preparations for the Santa Anita Derby by working 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Modernist: Over the slow track at Payson Park, Modernist clocked 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:01.60 on Thursday.

Mr. Big News: Fired off 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Mystic Guide: Clocked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 on Wednesday at Fair Hill. Exciting maiden winner is entered to run in a Thursday allowance race at Belmont Park.

Rushie: Promising allowance winner took a step toward the Santa Anita Derby when rocketing 5 furlongs in :59.80 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Shivaree: Advanced closer to a start in the Belmont Stakes when breezing 6 furlongs in 1:15.53 on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Shoplifted: Breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.95 over the Belmont Park training track on Saturday, his first breeze since shipping north from Oaklawn Park.

Sole Volante: Aiming toward the Belmont Stakes, the Sam F. Davis (G3) winner turned in a stamina-building workout on Friday at Palm Meadows, traveling a mile in 1:43.25.

Storm the Court: Fired off a fast workout on Saturday at Santa Anita, clocking 5 furlongs in :59.80.

Thousand Words: Worked 4 furlongs in :48.80 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Tiz the Law: Two-time Grade 1 winner continues to train forwardly for the Belmont Stakes, clocking a half-mile in :48.20 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Wells Bayou: Cruised through a half-mile :48.40 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Looking Ahead to the Kentucky Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will take a big turn on Saturday with the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita, worth 170 points (100-40-20-10) to the top four finishers. Undefeated San Felipe (G2) winner Authentic looms as the favorite for the 1 1/8-mile test, and with 60 qualification points to his credit already, the son of Into Mischief can leap to the top of the leaderboard if he wins as expected.

At least four other runners are under consideration for the Santa Anita Derby, including San Felipe runner-up Honor A. P., who could show improvement in his second start of the season. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Anneau d’Or and allowance winners Shooters Shoot and Rushie complete the list of known candidates for the race.