Kentucky Derby Roundup: March 16, 2020

What horse may be the favorite in the Kentucky Derby?

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 Leaderboard

The undefeated Nadal made a big move up the leaderboard last weekend with his gutsy front-running victory in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park. By securing 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points, Nadal has debuted in third place while virtually assuring himself a spot in the Derby starting gate.

Rebel runner-up Excession picked up 20 points to settle in 13th place on the leaderboard. Also gaining 20 points on Saturday was Field Pass, who unleashed a determined rally to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. However, Field Pass isn’t currently nominated to the Triple Crown, so he does not officially hold a place on the leaderboard.

On the Kentucky Derby Work Tab

Anneau d’Or: Aiming for the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Anneau d’Or clocked 6 furlongs in 1:12.80 on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

Ajaaweed: Prepping for the Florida Derby (G1), the Remsen (G2) runner-up cruised a half-mile in :49.25 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

As Seen On Tv: Turned in a fast workout on Friday at Palm Meadows, clocking 4 furlongs in a bullet :48.60.

Candy Tycoon: The Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up sped a bullet half-mile in :48.23 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.

Enforceable: The Louisiana Derby (G2) favorite breezed a half-mile in :48.40 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Gouverneur Morris: Clocked 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:00.51 on Sunday at Palm Beach Downs.

Independence Hall: Fired off another sharp breeze in preparation for the Florida Derby (G1), going 5 furlongs in 1:00 on Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Major Fed: In preparation for the Louisiana Derby (G2), Major Fed clocked 5 furlongs in 1:02.40 on Tuesday at Fair Grounds.

Maxfield: Turned in another fast workout on Saturday at Palm Meadows, going 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:01.80.

Modernist: Continued his preparations for the Louisiana Derby (G2) by breezing 5 furlongs in 1:02.20 on Tuesday at Fair Grounds.

Ny Traffic: Aiming for the Louisiana Derby (G2), Ny Traffic blazed 5 furlongs in a bullet :59.43 on Sunday at Gulfstream.

Shoplifted: Sped 5 furlongs in a swift :59.80 over a muddy track at Oaklawn Park on Tuesday, then came back with an easy half-mile in :52 over a sloppy surface on Monday.

Shotski: Cruised a half-mile in :50.20 on Monday at Gulfstream, his final breeze before traveling to Dubai for the UAE Derby (G2).

Silver State: Worked 5 furlongs in an easy :51.20 on Monday at Fair Grounds, wrapping up his preparations for the Louisiana Derby (G2).

Sole Volante: Returned to the work tab with an easy half-mile in :50.15 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Tiz the Law: Fired off another bullet workout on Sunday at Palm Meadows, clocking 6 furlongs in 1:13.80.

Wells Bayou: Entered in the Louisiana Derby, Wells Bayou worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Azul Coast: The El Camino Real Derby winner cruised 5 furlongs in 1:02.20 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Eight Rings: Continued along the comeback trail by working 5 furlongs in 1:02.80 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Honor A. P.: The San Felipe (G2) runner-up returned to the work tab on Monday at Santa Anita, clocking a half-mile in :49.40.

Looking Ahead

The final round of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races gets underway on Saturday with the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, which will offer 170 qualification points to the top four finishers on 100-40-20-10 basis. Sixteen horses have been entered in the competitive 1 3/16-mile race, including Risen Star (G2) winner Modernist and Lecomte (G3) victor Enforceable.

The $700,000 Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park was also scheduled to be run this weekend, but due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Sunland Park has been closed until further notice, prompting the cancellation of the Sunland Derby.