Kentucky Derby Roundup: June 29, 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 took a detour to Ohio last Saturday for the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown. An early move on the backstretch proved to be the winning strategy for longshot Dean Martini, who gamely held on down the homestretch to secure 20 Kentucky Derby qualification points. The gelded son of Cairo Prince would normally rank 21st on the leaderboard, but Dean Martini—a former claimer—isn’t currently nominated to the Triple Crown and would have to be supplemented to gain Derby eligibility.

South Bend, hard-charging runner-up in the Ohio Derby, picked up eight points to debut in 27th place on the leaderboard. Reigning champion 2-year-old male Storm the Court, beaten to third with a wide trip at Thistledown, boosted his cumulative total to 36 points and advanced to 13th place in the rankings.

News and Notes for the Kentucky Derby

The first-ever Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5 was open for betting over the weekend, with runaway Belmont Stakes (G1) champion Tiz the Law closing as the 2.20-1 favorite. Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Honor A. P. also received plenty of support at 6-1, while the usually popular “All Other 3-Year-Olds” option was a bit cold in the betting at 8-1.

On an unfortunate note, one horse withdrew from Derby consideration last week. As reported by Bloodhorse.com, Gouverneur Morris—who finished third in the first division of the Arkansas Derby (G1)—has been sidelined by a bout with colitis, and the training time he’ll miss will prevent the son of Constitution from targeting the Kentucky Derby.

On the Kentucky Derby Work Tab

Anneau d’Or: Stepped back up to 5 furlongs on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields, traversing the distance in 1:02.

Attachment Rate: Breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Authentic: Flashed plenty of speed on Sunday at Santa Anita, getting 6 furlongs in a bullet 1:11.60.

Basin: Recently shipped from Churchill Downs to Keeneland, where he breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 on Monday.

Candy Tycoon: The Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up traveled north to Saratoga, where he clocked a half-mile in :50.24 over the training track on Thursday.

Cezanne: Maiden winner cruised 4 furlongs in :48.00 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Eight Rings: Worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.00 on Friday at Los Alamitos.

Enforceable: Rocketed 5 furlongs in :58.80 from the Casse Training Center starting gate on Friday.

Ete Indien: Took to the Palm Meadows turf course for an easy 6-furlong breeze on Sunday, going the distance in 1:20.05.

Finnick the Fierce: Sped 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:00 on Friday at The Thoroughbred Center.

Honor A. P.: Blazed a bullet half-mile in :47.20 on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Major Fed: Continues to regroup following a surprising last-place effort in the Matt Winn (G3), cruising through 5 furlongs in 1:01 on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Mr. Big News: Flew through a quick 5 furlongs in :59.40 on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Mystic Guide: Clocked 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:00 on Sunday at Fair Hill.

Ny Traffic: Traveled 3 furlongs in :36.69 on Monday at Gulfstream Park.

Pneumatic: Nine days after finishing fourth in the Belmont Stakes, Pneumatic returned to the Belmont Park work tab with a slow half-mile in :52.85 over the training track.

Rushie: Shipped from Santa Anita to Del Mar and turned in an easy 5-furlong workout on Monday, waltzing the distance in 1:04.80.

Shivaree: Posted 5 furlongs in 1:00.42 on Sunday at Gulfstream.

Thousand Words: Fired off 6 furlongs in a snappy 1:12.20 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Uncle Chuck: Eye-catching debut winner worked 6 furlongs in 1:12.40 at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Looking Ahead to the Kentucky Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will head out west on Saturday for the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) at Los Alamitos. First held under its current conditions in 2014, the 1 1/8-mile race has been a productive summer stop for talented sophomores, with champions Shared Belief, Accelerate, West Coast, and Game Winner reaching the winner’s circle.

Only time will tell if the 2020 Los Alamitos Derby produces a winner of similar caliber, but with 20 Kentucky Derby qualification points at stake for the winner, you can bet the race will draw a few promising runners. Ten horses have been nominated, including a quartet of contenders from the barn of Bob Baffert: Azul Coast, Cezanne (who instead opted for Thursday's 5TH race at Los Alamitos), Thousand Words, and Uncle Chuck. Throw in Santa Anita Derby participants Rushie and Anneau d’Or, and you have the potential for a very good race.