Kentucky Derby Workouts and Bubble Watch: April 19, 2021

Just 12 days remain until the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1), which means the field is coming into focus and the contenders are busy turning in critical pre-race workouts.

Let’s review all the latest Kentucky Derby-related workouts, then highlight the horses still hoping to qualify for the “Run for the Roses.”

On the Work Tab

Bourbonic: Took to the Churchill Downs main track for a four-furlong workout on Friday, breezing in company with Dynamic One and completing the distance in :48.60. The work was steady, with the opening quarter mile elapsing in :24.40, but Bourbonic did lose ground on the gallop out, going six furlongs in 1:14.60 compared to 1:13.20 for his stablemate.

Dream Shake: Rocketed five furlongs in a bullet :59.20 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Dynamic One: Worked in company with Bourbonic on Friday at Churchill Downs, matching his stable companion’s time of :48.60 for half a mile before winning the gallop out with a six-furlong time of 1:13.20.

Essential Quality: The Kentucky Derby favorite clocked five furlongs in a quick :59.60 on Saturday at Churchill Downs, his first workout since winning the Blue Grass (G2). Breezing in company with Spa City, Essential Quality posted fractions of :12.80, :24.60, and :47.40 before continuing past the finish line through six furlongs in 1:13.20 and seven furlongs in 1:28.60.

Helium: Cruised through five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Friday at Churchill Downs, going in company with graded stakes winner Peace Achieved. The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner started slow with an opening quarter mile in :25.60, but picked up the pace through fractions of :37.60 and :49.80 before continuing on through six furlongs in 1:14.60.

Hidden Stash: Fired off a fast five-furlong workout on Wednesday at Keeneland, getting the distance in a bullet :47.80 while working in company with a pair of stablemates. Starting eight lengths behind, Hidden Stash steadily gained ground through fractions of :12.60, :24.40, and :36.60, catching his workmates prior to galloping out in 1:00.00 and 1:13.80.

Highly Motivated: Blazed a bullet half mile in :47.20 on Sunday at Keeneland, working in company with Founder and recording splits of :12.20, :23.60, and :36.00 before galloping out in 1:00.20 and 1:15.60.

Hot Rod Charlie: Stepped up to six furlongs for a Saturday workout at Santa Anita, getting the distance in 1:14.20.

Keepmeinmind: The Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner worked alone on Saturday at Keeneland, traveling five furlongs in 1:00.60.

Known Agenda: Joined stablemate Sainthood on the Friday work tab at Churchill Downs, traveling five furlongs in 1:00.40. The pair posted fractions of :12.60, :24.40, and :36.40 before galloping out another six furlongs in 1:13.40.

Like the King: Clocked six furlongs in 1:12.80 on Saturday at Keeneland, starting off three lengths behind graded stakes winner Artie’s Princess (the reigning champion female sprinter in Canada) before taking command in the homestretch.

Mandaloun: Turned in a stiff six-furlong workout on Saturday at Churchill Downs, negotiating the distance in 1:11.40. From start to finish, this was a powerful move; the Risen Star (G2) winner put up fractions of :12.40, :24.20, :35.60, and :58.80 before continuing through seven furlongs in 1:25.20 and one mile in 1:41.60.

Medina Spirit: Traveled five furlongs in a quick 1:00.00 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Midnight Bourbon: Burned up the Churchill Downs main track on Monday morning, breezing five furlongs in a bullet :59.80. The Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up traveled in company with maiden winner Bajan Rum through splits of :12.40, :24.00, and :35.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.80 and seven furlongs in 1:26.00.

O Besos: Breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.

Rock Your World: The Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner returned to the work tab with a fast five furlongs in :59.60 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Sainthood: Training alongside Known Agenda, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up clocked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Friday at Churchill Downs, posting fractions of :12.60, :24.40, and :36.40 along with a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:13.40.

Soup and Sandwich: Breezed a quick five furlongs in :59.80 on Saturday at Churchill Downs, posting splits of :12.40, :24.20, and :35.20 before leaving workmate Epic Dreamer behind through six furlongs in 1:12.40 and seven furlongs in 1:25.20.

On the Bubble

The defection of Gotham (G3) runner-up Crowded Trade has allowed American Pharoah (G1) winner Get Her Number to sneak into the Kentucky Derby field; he ranks #20 on the leaderboard as of Monday morning.

But the Derby field isn’t set in stone just yet. Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River and Santa Anita Derby third-place finisher Dream Shake remain uncertain starters, while Lexington (G3) hero King Fury sits on the bubble as the 21st qualifier. Keepmeinmind (#22) and Lexington third-place finisher Starrininmydreams (#23) are other horses hoping to gain a spot in the Derby field.

Stay tuned to TwinSpires Edge for more Kentucky Derby news and notes as the first Saturday in May draws closer.