Baffert colt upstages works by 15 Kentucky Derby candidates

The 15 workers Saturday who are in the Nevada futures for Kentucky Derby 2024 were not as prominent as a Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old who appeared on the tab.

Unbeaten 3-year-old Maymun had his second consecutive six-furlong work at Santa Anita. Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Maymun drilled in 1:12.2. It was his first work in 13 days. On Feb. 25 the Frosted colt worked six furlongs in 1:13.0.

A $900,000 auction buy, Maymun won his debut by 7 1/2 lengths when going 6 1/2 furlongs Jan. 20 at Santa Anita. He returned to clear his first-level allowance condition by a neck over stablemate Imagination when stretched to a mile Feb. 11. That effort was flattered Sunday when Imagination came back to win the Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes.

Although Baffert and his horses are ineligible for the Kentucky Derby, their works have context in the Triple Crown season since they could line up in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness at Pimlico or the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.

Maymun closed as the 20-1 sixth choice in the first Preakness Future Wager, a pari-mutuel pool that was run nationwide Feb. 29-March 2 by 1/ST Racing.

Catching Freedom, Nash and Pirate, each showing at 100-1 this week in the Las Vegas futures, led the Derby candidates who breezed Saturday. They are listed here from shortest to longest shots in Nevada:

Catching Freedom (Constitution) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 22 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed third in the Risen Star (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17 for trainer Brad Cox.

Nash (Medaglia d’Oro) worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Fair Grounds. It was the third fastest of 22 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17 for Cox.

Pirate (Omaha Beach) worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Palm Beach Downs. It was the third fastest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he placed third in the Hopeful (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Sept. 4 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Common Defense (Karakontie) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Fair Grounds. It was the ninth fastest of 22 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Rebel (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 24 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Roar Ready (Do the Roar) worked four furlongs in 47.7 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the fifth fastest of 106 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 23 for trainer Ruben Sierra.

The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Gulfstream Park. It was the 20th fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 7 for trainer Mike Maker.

Real Men Violin (Mendelssohn) worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Fair Grounds. It was the fifth fastest of 22 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed eighth in the Risen Star (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17 for McPeek.

Lat Long (Liam’s Map) worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Grounds. It was the 16th fastest of 22 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed third in the Lecomte (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20 for McPeek.

Next Level (Vino Rosso) worked four furlongs in 53.6 seconds at Fair Grounds. It was the 40th fastest of 41 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in the Rebel (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 24 for trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Curlin’s Kaos (Clubhouse Ride) worked four furlongs in 51.6 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 85th fastest of 89 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Sunland Park on Feb. 18 for trainer Antonio García.

Tennessee (Justify) worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Turfway Park. It was the 17th fastest of 88 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going one mile on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Feb. 10 for Cox.

Endlessly (Oscar Performance), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Zuma Beach, 2023 Del Mar Juvenile Turf), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Santa Anita. It was the 43rd fastest of 53 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the El Camino Real Derby going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 10 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Footprint (Dialed In) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Fair Grounds. It was the ninth fastest of 22 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 24 for McPeek.

Hawks Creek (Exaggerator) worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Fair Grounds. It was the fifth fastest of 41 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17 for Desormeaux.

Stay Hot (Summer Front), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Cecil B. DeMille), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 24th fastest of 89 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Baffle going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 17 for trainer Peter Eurton.

Baffert 3-year-old

Maymun (Frosted) worked six furlongs in 1:12.2 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was 13 days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 11 for trainer Bob Baffert.