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Art Collector Leads Derby Workers, Caracaro Injured

With just seven days remaining until the coronavirus-delayed GI Kentucky Derby, the race’s likely second favorite Art Collector (Bernardini) topped a busy Friday morning worktab at Churchill Downs. News also emerged from Saratoga that ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Caracaro (Uncle Mo) would be forced to miss the ‘Run for the Roses’ after suffering an undetermined injury in a breeze Friday morning.

With gameday jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the irons, Bruce Lunsford homebred Art Collector (second in the TDN Kentucky Derby Top 12) went five-eighths of a mile in a 1:00.80 (XBTV video) under the watchful eye of trainer Tom Drury, Jr. Art Collector enters the Derby on a four-race winning streak, including the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. July 12 and a defeat of Attachment Rate (Hard Spun) in the Aug. 1 Runhappy Ellis Park Derby.

“He really loves this track here at Churchill,” Drury said. “He galloped pretty strong yesterday on his first day back at Churchill and turned in a really strong work today. The difficult part is out of the way and now we just need to keep him happy and healthy until Saturday.”

Louisville native Lunsford added in an NTRA teleconference: “He did exactly what we wanted. He worked in basically ’12s’ and I would say that he came out of it looking like he hadn’t really done much. There wasn’t any sense in taking any unnecessary chances. [Tom and Brian] were very happy with the work and how he handled it. He looks terrific.”

Art Collector figures to be a clear second wagering choice to GI Belmont S. and GI Runhappy Travers S. hero Tiz the Law (Constitution), who works at Saratoga either Saturday or Sunday.

Caracaro (#11 TDN Derby Top 12) was ruled out of Derby contention by trainer Gustavo Delgado after suffering a slight injury to his right front leg during the gallop out of a six-furlong breeze at Saratoga Friday morning. The GIII Peter Pan S. and Travers runner-up was timed in 1:12.26 for his move, but exercise rider J.J. Delgado dismounted when he felt there was an issue.

“I don’t know how bad it is, but later on we’re going to x-ray and find out,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “It’s disappointing because he worked so well. He just took a bad step and he wasn’t feeling right. His work had already been done. I don’t think it’s going to be that bad, but we’ll know more once we do the proper examination.”

Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic, #10), who nearly came back on ‘TDN Rising Star’ Authentic (Into Mischief) when last seen in the GI TVG.com Haskell S. July 18, was also in action up at Saratoga, breezing five furlongs in :59.45 just after the renovation break with David Cohen up.

“I thought he went super. It’s what we wanted,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. “I got him in 59 and change and out in 1:12 [for six furlongs. I just wanted to see him cool out good and scope good. With our fingers crossed and with a good eight days [before the Derby], we have a very good chance. Today was important. I just wanted to see him come out of the work good.”

Sole Volante (Karakontie {Jpn}, #8)) is taking a somewhat less-conventional approach to his pre-Derby preparation and in that vein, the GIII Sam F. Davis S. winner and runner-up to King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) in the GII Tampa Bay Derby, went five furlongs over the Palm Meadows turf course in :57.80 to the delight of co-owner and assistant trainer Andie Biancone.

“He worked really well. We did a shorter work today to get a little speed into him,” said Biancone. “He worked very well and came back great.”

Luca Panici has the call on the gelding, a distant sixth to Tiz the Law in the Belmont in his most recent racetrack appearance.

“I’m excited to be there. I’m thankful to the connections for giving me this opportunity with a good horse. I’m very, very happy to be a part of this team,” Panici said. “I’m very, very proud and proud of the people who work with me.”

Back at Churchill, the morning’s other breezers included:

Major Fed (Ghostzapper), five furlongs in :59 flat (:12.20, :23.80, :47, out six furlongs in 1:12)
Necker Island (Hard Spun), a half-mile in :48.40 with Miguel Mena (:12.60, :25, :36.60) (XBTV video)
Rushie (Liam’s Map), five-eighths in 1:01.60 (:12.80, :24.80) (XBTV video)
Winning Impression (Paynter), five furlongs in :59.20 (:11.80, :23.40, :34.60, :47, out three-quarters in 1:12.60) (XBTV video)

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‘Really Strong’ Art Collector Tops Derby Workers Friday Morning At Churchill Downs

Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector, who looms as one of the favorites for next Saturday's 146th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI), worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 Friday morning over a fast track to headline a Churchill Downs worktab that featured five Kentucky Derby hopefuls and four Kentucky Oaks prospects.

Also working toward the Derby were Winning Impression (5 furlongs in :59.20), Major Fed (5 furlongs in :59), Necker Island (4 furlongs in :48.40) and Rushie (5 furlongs in 1:01.60).

Working toward the Oaks were Speech (4 furlongs in :47.60), Shedaresthedevil (5 furlongs in 1:01.40), Bonny South (4 furlongs in :48.20) and Tempers Rising (4 furlongs in :47).

There were also Derby hopefuls working at Saratoga and Palm Meadows Friday morning.

At Saratoga, Ny Traffic covered five furlongs in :59.45; Dr Post (4 furlongs in :49.60) and Money Moves (5 furlongs in 1:00.14). At Palm Meadows, Sole Volante worked five furlongs on firm turf in :57.80.

Also at Saratoga Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) runner-up Caracaro was removed from Kentucky Derby contention with a soft tissue injury, according to trainer Gustavo Delgado.

On the Oaks front, four other fillies worked from coast to coast.

Donna Veloce worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Del Mar; Dream Marie worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Gulfstream Park West; Hopeful Growth worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 at Monmouth; and, Project Whiskey worked a half-mile in :47.82 at Parx.

ART COLLECTOR – Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector put in his final work prior to next Saturday's Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong move in 1:00.80 with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle.

“He really loves this track here at Churchill,” trainer Tommy Drury said. “He galloped pretty strong yesterday on his first day back at Churchill and turned in a really strong work today. The difficult part is out of the way and now we just need to keep him happy and healthy until Saturday.”

Owned by Louisville native Lunsford, Art Collector brings many local ties together for the first Saturday in September.

“It's really an honor being local to Kentucky, training for a local owner and running in the biggest horse race in the world,” Drury said.

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's $200,000 Ellis Park Derby runner-up Attachment Rate galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Faustino Herrarte at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

Attachment Rate is scheduled to work on Sunday. Trainer Dale Romans is due back in Louisville Saturday from Saratoga.

AUTHENTIC – Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing's $1 million Haskell (GI) winner Authentic is scheduled to arrive Monday at Churchill Downs.

CARACARO – Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) runner-up Caracaro has been removed from Kentucky Derby contention with a soft tissue injury, according to trainer Gustavo Delgado.

DR POST – St. Elias Stable's Haskell third-place finisher Dr Post worked a half-mile in :49.60 Friday at Saratoga. His plans for the Derby remain in question.

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Paolo Perez at 5:40 Friday morning at Churchill Downs.

The Mark Casse trainee is scheduled to work at 5:15 Saturday morning, weather permitting, with Derby rider Adam Beschizza scheduled to be aboard.

FINNICK THE FIERCE – Trainer and co-owner Rey Hernandez said Finnick the Fierce returned to the track Friday at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. He will ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

FIRST LINE – Noda Brothers' Saratoga maiden special weight winner First Line no longer remains under consideration for the Derby according to vice president of racing Ben Huffman.

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable's $100,000 Shared Belief runner-up Honor A. P. is scheduled to work Saturday at 12:45 p.m. PDT at Del Mar and slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Monday.

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo galloped 1 ½ miles Friday at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Edgar Medina in the saddle. He is scheduled to breeze Saturday or Sunday at 7:30 a.m. pending inclement weather.

Owner Victor Martinez is due in Louisville Saturday.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's $300,000 Indiana Derby (GIII) runner-up Major Fed cruised five furlongs in :59 at 5:15 a.m. with jockey James Graham in the saddle.

Trained by Greg Foley, Major Fed began his work at the half-mile pole and clipped through early fractions of :12.20, :23.80 and :47. He continued around the turn and completed a six-furlong gallop out in 1:12.

“I wanted to put a good work in him this morning and focus on making sure he finished through the wire,” Foley said. “He was moving pretty good around there. James tapped him on the shoulder once and he lowered his body to continue galloping out well. The big relief was how easy he seemed to do it because back at the barn he really wasn't tired.

“We're sort of taking in this entire Derby experience. Being from Kentucky and Churchill being our home track, this is the race every owner, trainer and jockey dreams of winning. This is why we put in the hard work. I always thought about making that walkover for the Derby and it's sure going to be special for me, our family, our owners and everyone in our barn.”

Major Fed will have a walk day Saturday and could return to the track for a light jog Sunday.

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) third-place finisher Max Player galloped 1 ½ miles at 6 a.m. with exercise rider Juan Vargas in the saddle.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the call in the Derby.

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's two-time winner Money Moves still remains under Derby consideration according to assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork.

Money Moves worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 Friday at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher. He is nominated to the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU (GII).

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's Necker Island worked a half-mile in company in :48.40 under jockey Miguel Mena during the 7:30 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses.

Working with Kurilov, Necker Island posted fractions of :12.60, :25 and :36.60 before galloping out strong to the half-mile pole.

“I thought it was a great work and it was the first time Miguel had been on him,” trainer Chris Hartman said. “He finished well and other than the little hiccup at the start with the '25' it was exactly what I wanted to see.”

It was the first work for Necker Island since finishing third behind Art Collector in the Ellis Park Derby.

Hartman said Necker Island would walk the shedrow the next two days and then return to the track Monday with a likely visit to the starting gate.

“I may stand him at the gate every day,” said Hartman, who claimed Necker Island for $100,000 in June. “We'll play it by ear and see how he participates. That's one of the things about training horses, learning to work with them.”

NY TRAFFIC – John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic worked five furlongs in :59.45 at Saratoga under David Cohen for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

“He went in company and sat a few lengths off his target,” Joseph said via text. “He went on by readily and worked well.”

Ny Traffic is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

RUSHIE – Jim and Donna Daniell's Rushie worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 under exercise rider Osman Cedeno for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Working on his own at 9 o'clock, Rushie produced fractions of :12.80 and :24.80 in the work that was the 26th fastest of 36 at the distance.

“He worked (five furlongs) in :59 last week at Del Mar and today looked like a good leg stretcher with a solid gallop out,” McCarthy said. “He got over the track well and was well within himself.”

Rushie, who would have to be supplemented to the Derby, also is under consideration for the $500,000 Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU on Derby Day.

“I'm not sure (about which race),” McCarthy said. “The money doesn't have to be in until Tuesday morning so we will watch things the next 24 to 48 hours and get the Daniells and go from there.

“This is the kind of year to take a shot. You have two very good horses in Tiz the Law and Art Collector and then there is Authentic and Honor A. P. and then everybody else is in the same boat. I think he will get a good setup in both races … there is a lot to think about.”

SHIRL'S SPEIGHT – Charles Fipke's $100,000 Marine Stakes winner Shirl's Speight is scheduled to work at Woodbine Sunday and ship to Churchill Downs Monday, according to trainer Roger Attfield

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Soul Volante worked a half-mile on firm turf in :57.80 Friday morning at Palm Meadows.

“He breezed really well and cooled out perfect,” trainer Patrick Biancone said via text. “He will ship to Churchill Downs tomorrow.”

STORM THE COURT – David A Bernsen LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson's 2-year-old champion Storm the Court is slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday on a flight from San Diego to Louisville. He is scheduled to work Saturday at Del Mar.

Julien Leparoux has the call in the Derby.

THOUSAND WORDS – Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm's Shared Belief Stakes hero Thousand Words is scheduled to arrive Monday with stablemate Authentic to trainer Bob Baffert's Barn 33 at Churchill Downs.

Florent Geroux has the call in the Derby.

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law is scheduled to breeze Saturday or Sunday at Saratoga before his Monday arrival at Churchill Downs.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression worked five furlongs in :59.20 Friday morning at 6 o'clock under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

“I thought he really cruised around there well,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “We're ready to go. You got to be in it to win it.”

Winning Impression rocketed through early fractions of :11.80, :23.40, :34.60 and 47 and completed a six-furlong gallop out in 1:12.60. Joe Rocco Jr. has the call in the Derby.

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‘This Is The Time’: Sole Volante Sharp In Five-Furlong Turf Breeze Ahead Of Kentucky Derby

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante turned in a sharp five-furlong workout on turf Friday morning at Palm Meadows Training Facility in preparation for a scheduled start in the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Patrick Biancone-trained son of Karakontie, who was ridden by jockey Luca Panici, was timed in 57.80 seconds, the fastest of four recorded at the distance on turf at Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“He worked really well. We did a shorter work today to get a little speed into him,” said the trainer's daughter and assistant Andie Biancone. “He worked very well and came back great.”

Sole Volante is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs Saturday at 6 p.m.

Sole Volante captured the Pulpit Stakes, in which he defeated Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner King Guillermo on turf, and finished third in the Mucho Macho Man during Gulfstream's Championship Meet. He went on to win the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs and finish second behind King Guillermo in the Tampa Bay Derby. He won a stakes-quality handicap at Gulfstream June 10 before sustaining his first out-of-the-money finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Panici, who has worked closely with the Biancones in the development of Sole Volante, will ride in his first Kentucky Derby Saturday.

“I'm excited to be there. I'm thankful to the connections for giving me this opportunity with a good horse. I'm very, very happy to be a part of this team,” Panici said. “I'm very, very proud and proud of the people who work with me.”

The son of a jockey, Panici grew up playing soccer with Frankie Dettori across the street from the racetrack in Milan, Italy, Dettori, four years his senior, inspired Panici with his immediate success as a jockey at the age of 16, as well as the subsequent fame and fortune he earned in England and across the world. Panici went on to enjoy success while riding more than 500 winners in Italy, but racing in the U.S. first caught his attention in 1996, when he spent a winter in South Florida galloping for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott for free in exchange for one mount (fifth-place finisher Yokama in a Feb. 19, 1996 allowance at Gulfstream).

Panici, who returned to South Florida the following winter to gallop from trainer Gary Sciacca, moved permanently to the U.S. in 2009. He has won nearly 700 races in the U.S., none more important than Sole Volante's Sam F. Davis score that put him on the Triple Crown trail.

“When you work with a baby, you think always maybe they can take you to the Derby,” said the 46-year-old Panici, who will travel to Louisville following Sunday's Gulfstream program. “Finally, this is the time.”

Biancone also sent multiple graded-stakes winner Diamond Oops to the Palm Meadows turf course Friday morning to prepare for a start in the $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Sept. 4. The 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky, who is Grade 1 stakes-placed on turf and dirt, was timed in 45.90 seconds, the fastest four-furlong turf work of 19 recorded.

Diamond Oops captured the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector (G3) before stretching out to finish a strong fourth in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) during Gulfstream's Championship Meet. He finished second in his first start back in a June 13 overnight handicap in his return off a layoff. Diamond Oops finished second back-to-back in last year's seven-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland before getting eliminated at the start of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

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‘It’s 2020, Anything Can Happen’: Derby Contenders Keeping A Close Eye On Mother Nature

Mother Nature may hold the key to what could be a major work day Friday at Churchill Downs.

Rain is forecast to begin overnight Thursday and continue into training hours Friday morning with more rain predicted to begin Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday morning.

Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) candidates scheduled to work are Lloyd Madison Farms' Major Fed and Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's Necker Island. Jim and Donna Daniell's Rushie may work.

The Brad Cox-trained duo of Juddmonte Farms' Bonny South and Qatar Racing Limited, Flurry Racing Stables and Big Aut Farms' Shedaresthedevil are scheduled for final works before next Friday's Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) along with Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables' Speech may work.

Other Derby and Oaks hopefuls are slated for final works on five fronts Friday: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante is scheduled to work at Palm Meadows, Charles Fipke's Shirl's Speight is scheduled to work at Woodbine and John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic is scheduled to work at Saratoga. Also slated to work at Saratoga are Derby possibles Dr Post, owned by St. Elias Stable, and Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Oaks probable scheduled to work Friday are Kaleem Shah, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Donna Veloce at Del Mar and Miracle's International Trading Inc.'s Dream Marie at Gulfstream Park West.

ART COLLECTOR – Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector made his first reappearance over the Churchill Downs surface Thursday morning and galloped 1 ½ miles with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle. Trainer Tommy Drury reported Art Collector will have one more local work prior to the Kentucky Derby. Hernandez will have the call.

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's $200,000 Ellis Park Derby runner-up Attachment Rate galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Faustino Herrarte at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

“I thought his race at Ellis makes him deserve a shot in the Derby,” trainer Dale Romans said via phone from New York. “He'll have one more work on Sunday before the Derby. It's 2020, anything can happen.”

AUTHENTIC – Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing's $1 million Haskell (GI) winner Authentic is scheduled to arrive Monday at Churchill Downs.

CARACARO – Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) runner-up Caracaro is slated to have his final breeze prior to the Kentucky Derby Saturday morning, according to assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr.

Caracaro is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday.

DR POST – St. Elias Stable's Haskell third-place finisher Dr Post appears doubtful to run in the Derby, according to trainer Todd Pletcher. The colt could target the Jim Dandy (GI) or the $1 million Preakness (GI).

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable galloped a mile and a half shortly before 6 o'clock under exercise rider Paolo Perez for trainer Mark Casse.

“He was a little fresh this morning as this was his first day back galloping after working over the weekend,” said Allen Hardy, assistant to Casse. Enforceable had worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 on Sunday and is scheduled to have his final Derby work this Sunday.

FINNICK THE FIERCE – Trainer and co-owner Rey Hernandez said Finnick the Fierce came out of his Wednesday work at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington in good shape and would ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

“He worked well (1:00.60 for five furlongs, the best of 11 at the distance,” said Hernandez, who owns the two-time graded stakes placed gelding in partnership with Arnaldo Monge. “He worked behind another horse.”

FIRST LINE – Noda Brothers' Saratoga maiden special weight winner First Line added his name to the possible Kentucky Derby contenders should room be available in the starting gate on the first Saturday in September.

“If they have a little room in that gate, it's an idea we are kicking around,” trainer Orlando Noda said.

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable's $100,000 Shared Belief runner-up Honor A. P. is scheduled to work Saturday at 12:45 p.m. PDT at Del Mar and slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Monday.

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo continued his training toward the Kentucky Derby Thursday at 7:30 a.m. with an easy gallop under exercise rider Edgar Medina.

King Guillermo is slated to have his final breeze for the Derby on Saturday, according to Medina.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's $300,000 Indiana Derby (GIII) runner-up Major Fed will have his final breeze prior to the Kentucky Derby Friday morning at 5:15 with jockey James Graham in the saddle.

Major Fed, a homebred son out of the former Foley-trained mare Bobby's Babe, had an easy one-mile jog Thursday with exercise rider Margarito Fierro in the saddle.

“He's happy and enjoying life right now – and so are we,” trainer Greg Foley said. “It's fun being on this ride with our owners who have stuck with us for so many years. I'm thrilled for them.”

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) third-place finisher Max Player schooled at the starting gate and galloped about 1 3/8 miles at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Juan Vargas in the saddle.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the call in the Derby.

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's two-time winner Money Moves is scheduled to arrive Sunday at Churchill Downs for trainer Todd Pletcher. The colt still has minor Derby consideration but is nominated to the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU (GII).

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's Necker Island jogged twice around under Hillary Hartman at 6 o'clock.

Trained by Chris Hartman, Necker Island is scheduled to work Friday morning at 7:30 with jockey Miguel Mena slated to be aboard. Hartman said the Hard Spun colt would go a half-mile or five-eighths and would work in company.

NY TRAFFIC – John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic is scheduled to work at Saratoga Friday and arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday, according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

RUSHIE – Jim and Donna Daniell's Rushie galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Osman Cedeno after the 9 o'clock renovation break.

Trainer Michael McCarthy said Rushie may work Friday morning.

“I am thinking about it,” said McCarthy, who arrived in Louisville Wednesday night from California. “It will be a game-time decision as is often the case.”

Rushie, who would have to be supplemented to the Derby in order to run, also is under consideration for the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU to be run Sept. 5.

“We are still on the fence (about the Derby),” said McCarthy, who brought seven horses to Churchill Downs. “(The work) could impact the decision and I will speak with Mr. Daniell and get his thoughts.”

SHIRL'S SPEIGHT – Charles Fipke's $100,000 Marine Stakes winner Shirl's Speight's travel plans remain fluid but the colt is tentatively scheduled to van from Woodbine to Churchill Downs Sunday or Monday.

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GII) runner-up Sole Volante is scheduled to van from his South Florida base to Churchill Downs Sunday, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

Julien Leparoux has the call in the Derby.

Florent Geroux has the call in the Derby.

“Like so many of Bob Baffert's horses, he showed good speed in his last start,” Geroux said. “I think he could be up in the race but we'll discuss the plan with Bob when things get closer to the race.”

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law is scheduled to breeze Saturday or Sunday at Saratoga before his Monday arrival at Churchill Downs.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression galloped 1 ½ miles Thursday at 6 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Trainer Dallas Stewart reported Winning Impression will have his final breeze prior to the Derby Monday morning at Churchill Downs. Joe Rocco Jr. will have the mount in the Derby.

“It's starting to get exciting,” Rocco said. “You've got to be in the gate to have a chance to win. We'll see what happens.”

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