Kentucky Derby Roundup: March 9, 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

With three major prep races taking place last Saturday, the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard underwent significant changes. Authentic kept his undefeated record intact with a front-running victory in the San Felipe (G2), climbing to the top of the leaderboard with 60 points. Runner-up Honor A. P. gained 20 points to debut in 11th place, while third-place finisher Storm the Court (32 points) and fourth-place runner Thousand Words (25 points) sit sixth and seventh.

Mischevious Alex joined the leaderboard with his victory in the Gotham (G3), debuting in third place with 50 points. The gallant Gotham runner-up Untitled picked up 20 points to rank 14th after the weekend action.

The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) produced a surprising outcome as Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Sole Volante finished second as the 3-2 favorite. With 30 points to his credit, Sole Volante sits seventh on the leaderboard, though that comes with a caveat. Dominant Tampa Bay Derby winner King Guillermo isn’t currently ranked since he hasn’t been nominated to the Triple Crown, but his connections plan on supplementing their star colt to the series. Once King Guillermo is officially nominated, he’ll take over fifth place with 50 points, dropping all horses below him by one slot.

On the Kentucky Derby Work Tab

Ajaaweed: Remsen (G2) runner-up breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.80 on Saturday at Palm Meadows.

American Theorem: Worked 6 furlongs in 1:13 on Friday at Santa Anita, wrapping up his preparations for Saturday’s Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park.

Anneau d’Or: On Saturday at Golden Gate Fields, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up returned to the work tab for the first time since finishing off the board in the second division of the Risen Star (G2), clocking a half-mile in :49.

Azul Coast: Aiming for a possible start in the UAE Derby (G2), Azul Coast worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Basin: Last year’s Hopeful (G1) winner wrapped up his preparations for the Rebel by breezing a half-mile in :51.80 on Monday at Oaklawn.

Charlatan: Dominant maiden winner sped 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Eight Rings: Fired off another swift workout on Wednesday at Santa Anita, clocking 6 furlongs in 1:11.80, then followed up with another bullet move in 1:12 on Monday. The American Pharoah (G1) winner is nominated to the Rebel and the Mar. 22 Sunland Derby (G3).

Enforceable: Lecomte (G3) winner continued his preparations for the Louisiana Derby (G2) by breezing 5 furlongs in 1:01 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Ete Indien: Just eight days after crushing the Fountain of Youth (G2), Ete Indien returned to the Palm Meadows work tab with 4 furlongs in :50.85 on Sunday.

Gold Street: Three weeks after finishing last in the Southwest (G3), Smarty Jones S. winner Gold Street returned to the work tab with an easy half-mile in :51.60 on Sunday at Oaklawn.

Gouverneur Morris: Worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.79 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs, though his next race has yet to be determined.

High Velocity: Bob Hope (G3) winner worked 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 on Thursday at Santa Anita and is nominated to the Rebel.

Independence Hall: Turned in a stiff workout on Saturday at Tampa Bay Dows, going 7 furlongs in 1:28.

Maxfield: Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner continued along the comeback trail with 5 furlongs in 1:02.25 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Modernist: Victorious in the second division of the Risen Star, Modernist cruised 5 furlongs in 1:02.20 on Tuesday at Payson Park.

Nadal: In preparation for the Rebel, the gritty San Vicente (G2) winner threw down 5 furlongs in a bullet :59.60 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Ny Traffic: Runner-up in the second division of the Risen Star, Ny Traffic sped 5 furlongs in :59.66 on Monday at Gulfstream Park.

Silver Prospector: Aiming fora start in the Rebel, two-time graded stakes winner Silver Prospector worked a half-mile in :49.80 on Sunday at Oaklawn Park.

Silver State: Twice graded stakes-placed on the Derby trail, Silver State fired off 6 furlongs in a quick 1:11.60 on Monday at Fair Grounds.

Tiz the Law: The Holy Bull (G3) winnerhas bounced back quickly from a minor training setback, breezing 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:01.90 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Looking Ahead to the next Kentucky Derby prep races

Some of the biggest names on the Road to the Kentucky Derby will face off in Saturday’s Rebel at Oaklawn Park, which offers 85 qualification points to the top four finishers on a 50-20-10-5 basis. The 1 1/16-mile is expected to draw graded stakes winners Basin, Nadal,and Silver Prospector, among others.

Also scheduled for Saturday is the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. One of just two Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races conducted over a synthetic track, the Jeff Ruby will award points on a 20-8-4-2 basis to the top four finishers. Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) runner-up Finnick the Fierce is nominated and currently training at Turfway, suggesting he’s a probable participant.