Kentucky Derby Roundup: Workouts, jockeys, shipping plans

Sovereignty during a workout at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 12 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as two-dozen contenders finalize preparations for the first Saturday in May:

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2025 Kentucky Derby contenders:

Rank	Horse	Points	Trainer	Jockey
1	Burnham Square	130	Ian Wilkes	Brian Hernandez Jr.
2	Sandman	129	Mark Casse	Jose Ortiz
3	Journalism	122.5	Michael McCarthy	Umberto Rispoli
4	Rodriguez	121.25	Bob Baffert	Mike Smith
5	Tiztastic	119	Steve Asmussen	Joel Rosario
6	Tappan Street	110	Brad Cox	Luis Saez
7	Sovereignty	110	Bill Mott	Junior Alvarado
8	Final Gambit	100	Brad Cox	Luan Machado
9	Coal Battle	95	Lonnie Briley	Juan Vargas
10	Chunk of Gold	75	Ethan West	Jareth Loveberry
11	Citizen Bull	71.25	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia
12	Owen Almighty	65	Brian Lynch	Javier Castellano
13	East Avenue	60	Brendan Walsh	Manny Franco
14	Publisher	60	Steve Asmussen	Irad Ortiz Jr.
15	American Promise	55	D. Wayne Lukas	Nik Juarez
16	Flying Mohawk	50	Whit Beckman	Joe Ramos
17	Grande	50	Todd Pletcher	John Velazquez
18	Built	45	Wayne Catalano	TBD
19	Luxor Cafe	Japan RTKD	Noriyuki Hori	Joao Moreira
20	Admire Daytona	Euro/Mideast RTKD	Yukihiro Kato	Christophe Lemaire
21	Neoequos	40	Saffie Joseph Jr.	TBD
22	Render Judgment	39	Kenny McPeek	TBD
23	Baeza	37.5	John Shirreffs	Flavien Prat
24	California Burrito	20	Tommy Drury Jr.	Irving Moncada

Admire Daytona (rail) hangs on from Heart of Honor in the UAE Derby (Photo by Dubai Racing Club)

Admire Daytona

The UAE Derby (G2) winner has been galloping at Churchill Downs and is expected to record a timed workout on Tuesday.

Admire Daytona (JPN) 🇯🇵
#アドマイヤデイトナ

Enjoying the moisture in the surface this morning under the @TwinSpires. @netkeiba #ケンタッキーダービー pic.twitter.com/rKanTFhhTv
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 21, 2025

American Promise winning the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

American Promise

American Promise breezed seven furlongs from the Oaklawn Park starting gate in 1:25.20, then arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday. He took his first gallop over the track on Monday.

4-time @KentuckyDerby winner D. Wayne Lukas is back in the big race with Justify son American Promise, winner of the G3 Virginia Derby @ColonialDowns last out. 🌹 @NikJuarez will get his 1st Derby mount with the colt, who will officially turn 3 on May 1. pic.twitter.com/USDk1JTcAY
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 21, 2025

Beaza wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Baeza

Although 23rd on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Baeza is expected to ship to Churchill Downs this week and enter the Run for the Roses. With that goal in mind, he worked six furlongs in 1:15.60 at Santa Anita. Flavien Prat is expected to ride Baeza if he draws into the field.

RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Baeza

Built winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.)

Built

Built breezed four furlongs in :49.80 at Churchill Downs. He’s currently a top 20 qualifier, but isn’t a confirmed Derby starter; the Pat Day Mile (G2) is another option.

RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Built

BUILT on the track for @CATRacingStable 🏇 pic.twitter.com/S90o3BF41H
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 18, 2025

Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass. (Photo by Coady Media)

Burnham Square

Less than two weeks after winning the Blue Grass (G1), Burnham Square worked four furlongs in :49.40 at Churchill Downs. He posted fractions of :24.40 and :37.00 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.00. “It was just a maintenance work this morning since he just ran 11 days ago,” said trainer Ian Wilkes.

Kentucky Derby 151 contender Burnham Square put in a half-mile work in :49.40 under "the soft hands" (@kaitlinefree) jockey @b_hernandezjr for trainer @IanWilkesRacing this morning at Churchill Downs. pic.twitter.com/hAzOjVIHmD
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 19, 2025

California Burrito winning the John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Media/Turfway Park)

California Burrito

Although 24th on the leaderboard, California Burrito remains a possible Derby starter and worked four furlongs in :47.20 at Churchill Downs. The Pat Day Mile will be next, if he doesn't draw into the Derby.

.@TomDruryRacing talked to @abbey_huffman this morning about California Burrito, who is pointing towards the G2 Pat Day Mile on Derby Day! 🤩🌯 pic.twitter.com/kSLIRSnh5U
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 19, 2025

Chunk of Gold wins at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Chunk of Gold

Under Jareth Loveberry, who will be aboard in the Derby, Chunk of Gold breezed four furlongs in :49.40 at Turfway Park. “It was exactly what we had planned,” said trainer Ethan West. “We wanted to go a little slow early and finish up well. Jareth never asked him, and he had a really strong gallop out. Chunk really wanted to do more, but we’ll save that for 14 days from now.”

ICYMI - @JoeyDaKRacing & @TrustYourLuck take you through Chunk of Gold's 4F move in :49.90 @TurfwayPark on April 19th for trainer @EWest592. pic.twitter.com/jxgABeLoid
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 21, 2025

Citizen Bull winning the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Citizen Bull

The reigning champion two-year-old male turned in a pivotal workout at Santa Anita. He traveled in company with Lionel and started many lengths behind his companion before running him down on his way to six furlongs in 1:11.80. Citizen Bull worked without blinkers, and David Grening of the Daily Racing Form reports Citizen Bull will race without them for the first time in the Kentucky Derby. He’ll ship to Churchill Downs on Thursday.

Coal Battle wins the Rebel at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)

Coal Battle

Last week, Coal Battle worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 at Churchill Downs, posting fractions of :12.20, :23.80, and :36.40. He visited the paddock and galloped 1 3/4 miles on Monday, and he’ll likely work again on Tuesday.

"He is not a big work horse...he saves himself." - Lonnie Briley@kaitlinefree chats with trainer Lonnie Briley about his Kentucky Derby 151 contender Coal Battle's arrival and workout plans at Churchill Downs. pic.twitter.com/YYxpifZZTb
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 20, 2025

East Avenue winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)

East Avenue

Bouncing back from his runner-up effort in the Blue Grass (G1), East Avenue blazed four furlongs in :47.60 at Churchill Downs. He posted splits of :11.60 and :23.20 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60 and six furlongs in 1:14.00. Edgar Morales was aboard for the exercise, but Manny Franco will ride East Avenue in the Derby.

East Avenue breezed 4 furlongs in 47.60 seconds this morning. ⏱️

.@abbey_huffman talked to trainer @brenpwalsh after the work! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/hKXLR3Xwor
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 19, 2025

Final Gambit wins the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Christine Hayden)

Final Gambit

Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Final Gambit breezed five furlongs at Churchill Downs in company with Coffee Talk, getting the distance in 1:00.80 off fractions of :24.40, :36.60, and :48.40. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.40.

Jeff Rubys Steaks winner Final Gambit puts his stablemate Coffee Talk away with a 5 furloing move in 1:00.80 this morning for trainer @bradcoxracing.@JoeyDaKRacing says "he is moving up on my list." 📝 pic.twitter.com/t62Pj8Onv2
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 19, 2025

Flying Mohawk wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Flying Mohawk

Jeff Ruby runner-up Flying Mohawk was also in action at Churchill Downs last week, going five furlongs in 1:00.00. He posted splits of :12.00, :23.40, and :35.00 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40 and seven furlongs in 1:27.60.

#KyDerby contender, Flying Mohawk works 5F in 1:00.00 alongside Honor Marie for trainer Whit Beckman pic.twitter.com/SFnerzidiZ
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 19, 2025

Grande wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Grande

The lightly raced Grande has been taking things easy since his runner-up finish in the April 5 Wood Memorial (G2). He’s traveled from New York to Kentucky and is expected to work on Friday at Keeneland before vanning to Churchill Downs on the same day.

RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Grande

Journalism winning the 2025 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Journalism

After overcoming trouble to win the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Journalism returned to the work tab with a half-mile workout at Santa Anita, getting the distance in a swift :47.00 while working in company with Feel the Magic. He’s slated to travel to Churchill Downs on Tuesday.

Sometimes you glance at the pedigree of a potential @KentuckyDerby contender and know with certainty they’re bred to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May. ✅

Such is the case for Journalism. Read more about his pedigree! ⤵️ @J_Keelerman https://t.co/6HcynkR6MU pic.twitter.com/E2trN2tKm2
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 17, 2025

Luxor Cafe romps in the Fukuryu at Nakayama (Photo by Yuki Shimono/Kentucky Derby)

Luxor Cafe

Japan’s Luxor Cafe is expected to arrive in the United States on Monday, enter quarantine, and then travel to Churchill Downs on Wednesday. He’ll be ridden in the Kentucky Derby by Joao Moreira, who has enjoyed abundant success riding in Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.

Japan representative for Churchill Downs @KeibaKate shared updates on @KentuckyDerby contenders Admire Daytona アドマイヤデイトナ and Luxor Cafe ルクソールカフェ Friday morning in Louisville. 🌹🇯🇵 @netkeiba ケンタッキーダービー pic.twitter.com/xzJ3OyMaC1
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 18, 2025

Madaket Road wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Madakat Road

Following his tiring fourth-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1), Madaket Road has been removed from Kentucky Derby consideration and will point to the shorter Pat Day Mile instead.

Neoequos wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos / Credit to Lauren King)

Neoequos

Currently 21st on the qualification leaderboard, Neoequos took a step toward a possible Derby start when clocking five furlongs in 1:00.51 at Gulfstream Park.

RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Neoequos

Owen Almighty winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs (Photo by SV Photography)

Owen Almighty

After briefly being pointed toward the Pat Day Mile, Owen Almighty is back in the Kentucky Derby lineup. Javier Castellano, who won the 2023 Derby aboard Mage, has picked up the mount.

Tiztastic wins the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography)

Publisher and Tiztastic

Stablemates Publisher and Tiztastic trained together on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs, breezing five furlongs in :59.60. The duo posted fractions of :12.80, :24.20, and :36.00 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:11.80.

RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Publisher
RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Tiztastic

Steve Asmussen's #KyDerby contenders, Tiztastic & Publisher work 5F in company in :59.60 pic.twitter.com/1Nqjf5zlAS
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 19, 2025

Render Judgment wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Kurtis Coady)

Render Judgment

The 22nd name on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Render Judgment, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Churchill Downs.

River Thames wins at Gulfstream. (Photo by Coglianese Photos / Credit to Ryan Thompson)

River Thames

The Blue Grass third-place finisher has been removed from Kentucky Derby consideration and will await the Preakness (G1) instead.

Rodriguez winning the 2025 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)

Rodriguez

Working solo on Sunday, Rodriguez clocked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita. He’ll ship to Churchill Downs with stablemate Citizen Bull and arrive on Thursday.

Rodriguez 🌞@BobBaffert @mikeesmith10 pic.twitter.com/UEzQXRi7Dz
— Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) April 20, 2025

Sandman winning the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)

Sandman

Sandman started off slow in a half-mile workout at Churchill Downs, putting up splits of :13.60 and :26.40. But he accelerated his final quarter-mile in :23.20 for a final time of :49.60, and he galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80 and six furlongs in 1:15.00.

RELATED: Pedigree Profile: Sandman

Allen Hardy, assistant trainer to @markecasse, caught up with TwinSpires to talk his Derby contender Sandman plus La Cara in the Oaks. 🌹 🌸

🎤 @AshleyAnd502 pic.twitter.com/0r7forQqkB
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 16, 2025

Sovereignty

In his first timed workout since arriving at Churchill Downs, Sovereignty went five furlongs in company with Playa Del Mar, posting fractions of :13.00, :25.20, and :37.20 before completing the move in 1:00.60 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.80.“There’s a lot of luck involved in winning the Kentucky Derby. You obviously have to have the right horse for the race, but you need to have some racing luck go your way,” said trainer Bill Mott. “The goal is to have him the best he can be for the first Saturday in May.”

Kentucky Derby contender Sovereignty works 5F in 1:00.60 for trainer Bill Mott pic.twitter.com/jNWzLLDWFX
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 19, 2025

Tappan Street wins the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Tappan Street

After working five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Friday at Payson Park, Tappan Street arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday and galloped about 1 1/2 miles on Monday. “He had a good winter down in Florida and looks good from the van ride back to Kentucky,” said trainer Brad Cox. “He had a fairly easy morning.”

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