With just three weeks remaining to the GI Kentucky Derby, a trio of probable starters turned in workouts over the Churchill main track, while another continued his preparations at Turfway Park.
Trainer Steve Asmussen sent out his GII Louisiana Derby romper Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) for a five-furlong move in the company of maiden stablemate Publisher (American Pharoah). Taking to the track around 5:45 a.m., the pair went the distance in 1:00.80 in fractional times of :13, :24.80 and :36.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40 and up seven-eighths in 1:26.60. Joel Rosario was aboard Tiztastic and worked outside of Publisher, the GI Arkansas Derby runner-up, who was put through his paces by longtime exercise rider Carlos Rosas.
“Both horses moved in here to Churchill nicely,” said Asmussen, still in search of that elusive first win in the Derby. “With all of the weather we had in the area last week, it was nice to have a fast track to work over. I was extremely pleased with how they handled and traveled over the racetrack. They looked capable of doing more.”
Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic working five furlongs in 1:00.80 outside Arkansas Derby runner-up Publisher. pic.twitter.com/vlB5Ta6Brx
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 12, 2025
Just after 7 .a.m., Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) went to the track to work in the company of 2024 Kentucky Derby eighth-place finisher Honor Marie (Honor Code). They were timed in a leisurely :50.80 for a half-mile, with the opening two furlongs in :26 flat. The pair galloped out five panels in 1:03.40.
“It was both of their first works back after running so I just wanted an easy move,” trainer Whit Beckman said. “(Flying Mohawk) has worked well on dirt before so I figured he'd handle it just fine.”
Joe Ramos rode Flying Mohawk to a runner-up effort in the GIII Jeff Ruby Stakes Mar. 22, was in the irons for Saturday's move and retains the call in the Derby, Beckman confirmed.
“Joe has always given me his best,” Beckman said. “This horse is fairly straightforward to ride but I'm always confident with Joe knowing that he'll give me his top effort every time. That's all you can really ask.”
The Beckman-conditioned Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro) and Simply Joking (Practical Joke) went a half-mile in company in :48.60 with a five-furlong gallop-out in 1:00.80 in advance of the May 2 GI Kentucky Oaks.
“(Simply Joking) is a really nice filly,” said jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard the GII Fantasy Stakes runner-up. “It was a good work–pretty easy and not asking much of her.”
Third to her stable companion in the Silverbulletday Stakes Jan. 18, Drexel Hill exits a 3/4-length victory in the Mar. 1 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct.
Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), runner-up to Tiztastic in the Louisiana Derby, drilled five furlongs in :59.40 over the Turfway Polytrack for trained Ethan West Saturday morning.
“(Jockey) Jareth (Loveberry) came in town to work him and it was a really good move,” West said. “I had him :47 and change for a half-mile and he galloped out three-quarters in 1:12.”
Training hours at Churchill Downs remain 5:30-10 a.m. with renovation breaks from 6:45-7:15 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. Beginning Friday, April 18, training will shift to 5:15-10 a.m., with a special 7:15-7:30 a.m. window designated exclusively for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.
Chunk of Gold (inside) working this morning at @TurfwayPark.
47.3, 59.3/1:12.1 on trainer @EWest592's watch.
📸: Coady Media/@CpWest3890 pic.twitter.com/ATstDKZS8M
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 12, 2025
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