Derby alumni: Catch up with 19 horses recently in action
The Derby Alumni tracker checks in with the horses who raced in the Kentucky Derby, both this year and in previous years, keeping up with what they have done since they ran for the roses.
2024 Kentucky Derby
Three entrants from the 2024 Kentucky Derby returned to the track in recent weeks. In his first start since the run for the roses, Track Phantom came back in an allowance-level dirt sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 9. The Steve Asmussen charge attended an honest pace and outfinished the pacesetter but was caught late by the older Horace Mann. Second by a length, it gave him a good place from which to build a winter campaign.
Mugatu also recently hit the board in an allowance-optional claiming dirt mile at Gulfstream Park. Settled in last in a field of five, the Jeff Engler trainee chased on for third, 7 1/2 lengths behind the winner Morgan Point.
West Saratoga returned to the races Nov. 6 for his first start since the Matt Winn (G3) in June. Settled toward the rear in the 7 1/2-furlong test over the slop, he never fired. The Larry Demeritte trainee crossed the wire eighth and last, 20 1/4 lengths behind winning Liberal Arts.
| Derby | Horse | Last race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mystik Dan | 8th Belmont | Worked 4f Sat. at FG |
| 2 | Sierra Leone | 1st Breeders' Cup Classic | No works since last race |
| 3 | Forever Young | 3rd Breeders' Cup Classic | No works since last race |
| 4 | Catching Freedom | 4th Ohio Derby (G3) | No works since last race |
| 5 | T O Password | 5th Kentucky Derby | Out for the rest of the year |
| 6 | Resilience | 10th Belmont | No works since last race |
| 7 | Stronghold | 2nd Pennyslvania Derby (G1) | Worked 4f Mon. at SA |
| 8 | Honor Marie | 8th Travers | No works since last race |
| 9 | Endlessly | 5th Belmont Derby (G1) | Worked 5f Aug. 10 at DMR |
| 10 | Dornoch | 4th Travers | Stands for $40,000 at Spendthrift |
| 11 | Track Phantom | 2nd Alw OC (Nov. 9 at CD) | No works since last race |
| 12 | West Saratoga | 9th Alw (Nov. 6 at CD) | No works since last race |
| 13 | Domestic Product | 3rd Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile | Stands for $30,000 at Ashford |
| 14 | Epic Ride | 3rd Perryville (G3) | Worked 4f Mon. at TTC |
| 15 | Fierceness | 2nd Breeders' Cup Classic | No works since last race |
| 16 | Society Man | 2nd Alw OC (Oct. 24 at KEE) | No works since last race |
| 17 | Just Steel | 5th Preakness | Recovering from leg surgery |
| 18 | Grand Mo the First | 2nd Virginia Derby (G3) | Worked 4f Oct. 6 at GP |
| 19 | Catalytic | 2nd Carry Back | Worked 4f Sun. at GP |
| 20 | Just a Touch | 2nd Iowa Derby | No works since last race |
| SCR | Encino | 1st Lexington (G3) | Worked 3f Sat. at CD |
| SCR | Mugatu | 3rd Alw OC (Fri. at GP) | No works since last race |
2023 Kentucky Derby
The 2023 Kentucky Derby field has been busy, with 10 runners having raced in the last four weeks and another in the sales ring.
Two of the horses from the 2023 Kentucky Derby contested the Breeders' Cup Classic, though neither finished in the money. Tapit Trice finished the better of the two; after sitting in last early, the Todd Pletcher trainee ran on through horses to finish sixth, 10 3/4 lengths behind Sierra Leone. Derma Sotogake, second in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic, could not repeat the magic in 2024. The Hidetaka Otonashi charge set a contested pace early but weakened to 13th.
The one recent winner in the group is Hit Show, who continued his late-season run of good form with a victory in the Fayette (G2) at Keeneland. Bet down to odds-on, he settled toward the rear of the eight-horse field early but mustered a run, battled in the lane and won by 3/4 length over Bolzy. The Brad Cox trainee now has won three graded stakes in a row.
Two other entrants recently hit the board in allowance company. Cyclone Mischief settled in last early in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance-optional claimer at Churchill on Sunday. The Dale Romans trainee made a mighty rally, but the more forwardly placed Kavod dug in to hold by a neck. Skinner, making his first start in almost a year, resurfaced Nov. 1 in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on the Breeders' Cup Friday undercard at Del Mar. The John Shirreffs trainee settled in last early and sustained a rally but settled for second, 2 1/2 lengths behind Red Flag.
Reincarnate, most recently third in the Pacific Classic (G1), is headed to South Korea. He was sold at the Keeneland sale at Del Mar on Oct. 30 and purchased by K.O.I.D. as a racing or stallion prospect.
| Derby | Horse | Last race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mage | 7th Travers (G1) | Stands for $25,000 at Airdrie |
| 2 | Two Phil's | 1st Ohio Derby (G3) | Stands for $10,000 at WinStar |
| 3 | Angel of Empire | 3rd 2023 Jim Dandy (G2) | Stands for $7,500 at Taylor Made |
| 4 | Disarm | 4th Lukas Classic (G2) | No works since last race |
| 5 | Hit Show | 1st Fayette (G2) | Worked 5f Sat. at CD |
| 6 | Derma Sotogake | 13th Breeders' Cup Classic | No works since last race |
| 7 | Tapit Trice | 6th Breeders' Cup Classic | No works since last race |
| 8 | Raise Cain | 5th Alw OC (Oct. 20 at KEE) | Worked 4f Nov. 12 at KEE |
| 9 | Rocket Can | 4th Alw OC (Nov. 9 at CD) | No works since last race |
| 10 | Confidence Game | 7th Alw OC (Sept. 12 at CD) | Worked 4f Sat. at CD |
| 11 | Sun Thunder | 6th Alw (Sept. 20 at BAQ) | Worked 4f Oct. 19 at KEE |
| 12 | Mandarin Hero | 11th Mile Grand Prix | No works since last race |
| 13 | Reincarnate | 3rd Pacific Classic (G1) | Sold to K.O.I.D. at Keeneland Breeders' Cup sale |
| 14 | Kingsbarns | 1st Stephen Foster (G1) | Stands for $20,000 at Spendthrift |
| 15 | King Russell | 4th Alw (Nov. 10 at CD) | No works since last race |
| 16 | Verifying | 5th 2023 Perryville | Stands for $10,000 at Pleasant Acres |
| 17 | Jace's Road | 6th Alw OC (Nov. 11 at IND) | No works since last race |
| 18 | Cyclone Mischief | 2nd Alw OC (Sun. at CD) | No works since last race |
| SCR | Continuar | 14th Banshu | No works since last race |
| SCR | Forte | 4th Travers (G1) | Stands for $45,000 at Spendthrift |
| SCR | Lord Miles | 9th Alw OC (Oct. 26 at BAQ) | No works since last race |
| SCR | Practical Move | 1st Alw OC (Oct. 6 at SA) | Deceased |
| SCR | Skinner | 2nd Alw OC (Nov. 1 at DMR) | Worked 5f Sun. at DMR |
2022 Kentucky Derby
Ethereal Road returned to the winners' circle Nov. 6 for the first time since winning the 2022 Sir Barton Stakes. The Kent Sweezey trainee was sent off the narrow third betting choice of seven in a 1 1/16-mile race at Churchill Downs for $30,000 claimers, non-winners of three races lifetime or 3-year-olds. He stalked the pace, split horses, took over with about a furlong and a half to go and ran on to win by 2 1/2 lengths.
Two other 2022 Kentucky Derby entrants raced in recent weeks as well. Tiz the Bomb stepped up to starter-optional claiming company after a claiming-level win. Sent off the favorite of six in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta race, he tracked the leading pair but did not have enough in the lane. He settled for fourth, 5 1/4 lengths behind American Speed.
Messier, unraced since winning in the Westchester on May 3 at Aqueduct, returned Oct. 26 in the Forty Niner (G3). The Rick Dutrow charge was bet down to the second wagering choice but pulled up in upper stretch and was vanned off after bleeding.
| Derby | Horse | Last race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rich Strike | 5th 2023 Alysheba (G2) | Likely retired after training injury |
| 2 | Epicenter | DNF 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for $40,000 at Ashford |
| 3 | Zandon | 9th Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for $10,000 at Spendthrift |
| 4 | Simplification | 5th Ghostzapper | Stands for $6,500 at Pleasant Acres |
| 5 | Mo Donegal | 1st 2022 Belmont | Stands for $10,000 at Spendthrift |
| 6 | Barber Road | 7th Alw OC (Feb. 17 at GP) | Worked 4f April 7 at PMM |
| 7 | Tawny Port | 6th Sycamore (G3) | No works since last race |
| 8 | Smile Happy | 4th Ben Ali (G3) | Retired through Secretariat Center |
| 9 | Tiz the Bomb | 4th Str OC (Nov. 3 at GP) | No works since last race |
| 10 | Zozos | 6th Alw OC (July 26 at SAR) | Stands for $2,500 at Equistar Training and Breeding Center |
| 11 | Classic Causeway | 11th, Ky. Downs Preview Turf Cup | No works since last race |
| 12 | Taiba | 8th 2023 Saudi Cup (G1) | Stands for $30,000 at Spendthrift |
| 13 | Crown Pride | 1st Korea Cup (G3) | No works since last race |
| 14 | Happy Jack | 5th Pat O'Brien (G2) | Worked 3f Oct. 20 at SA |
| 15 | Messier | DNF Forty Niner (G3) | No works since last race |
| 16 | White Abarrio | 5th Met Mile (G1) | Entered in Alw OC Sat. at GP |
| 17 | Charge It | 10th Whitney (G1) | No works since last race |
| 18 | Cyberknife | 6th Pegasus World Cup (G1) | Stands for $20,000 at Spendthrift |
| 19 | Pioneer of Medina | 2nd, Tenacious | Worked 4f Jan. 5 at FG |
| 20 | Summer Is Tomorrow | 20th 2022 Kentucky Derby | Deceased |
| SCR | Ethereal Road | 1st Clm (Nov. 6 at CD) | No works since last race |
| SCR | Rattle N Roll | 3rd Lukas Classic (G2) | Worked 5f Mon. at CD |
2021 Kentucky Derby
Helium, unraced and off the work tab since finishing 10th in a starter allowance in February at Tampa Bay Downs, has returned to serious training. He resurfaced at Laurel for a four-furlong drill on Oct. 27 and then posted a five-furlong move Sunday.
| Derby | Horse | Last race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandaloun | 4th 2022 San Diego Handicap (G2) | Stands for $20,000 at Juddmonte |
| 2 | Hot Rod Charlie | 6th 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for ¥2 million at Shadai Stallion Station |
| 3 | Essential Quality | 3rd 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for $50,000 at Darley America |
| 4 | O Besos | 1st St. Matthews | Worked 4f May 20 at CD |
| 5 | Midnight Bourbon | 5th 2022 Dubai World Cup (G1) | Deceased |
| 6 | Keepmeinmind | 3rd 2022 Woodward (G1) | Stands for $5,000 at Sequel N.Y. |
| 7 | Helium | 10th Str Alw (Feb. 25 at TAM) | Worked 5f Sun. at LRL |
| 8 | Known Agenda | 4th 2021 Belmont | Stands for $5,000 at Spendthrift |
| 9 | Highly Motivated | 2nd 2022 Philip H. Iselin (G3) | Stands for $7,500 at Airdrie |
| 10 | Sainthood | 5th 2021 Belmont Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| 11 | Like the King | 9th Singspiel (G3) | Worked 4f Thu. at CAA |
| 12 | Bourbonic | 5th 2023 Salvator Mile (G3) | Sold to stand at Rancho Natoches, Mexico |
| 13 | Hidden Stash | 2nd Alw (Oct. 24 at PID) | Worked 4f Sat. at KEE |
| 14 | Brooklyn Strong | 3rd Clm (Nov. 13 at PEN) | No works since last race |
| 15 | Super Stock | 2nd Alw OC (Feb. 11, 2023 at OP) | Stands for $3,500 at Leadem Farm |
| 16 | Rock Your World | 9th 2021 Twilight Derby (G2) | Stands for $5,000 at Spendthrift |
| 17 | Dynamic One | 5th Ben Ali (G3) | Retired to New Vocations |
| 18 | Soup and Sandwich | 10th Alw OC (Oct. 23, 2022 at WO) | No works since last race |
| 19 | Medina Spirit | 2nd 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic | Deceased |
2020 Kentucky Derby
Storm the Court, who still seeks his first win since the 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, returned to original trainer Peter Eurton for a start in an allowance-optional claiming race at Del Mar on Sunday. He stalked the early pace in the turf mile but emptied out down the lane. He crossed the wire ninth and last, 6 3/4 lengths behind winner Zio Jo.
| Derby | Horse | Last race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Authentic | 1st 2020 Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for $25,000 at Spendthrift |
| 2 | Tiz the Law | 6th 2020 Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for $20,000 at Ashford |
| 3 | Mr. Big News | 7th Alw OC (Dec. 10 at FG) | No works since last race |
| 4 | Honor A. P. | 4th 2020 Kentucky Derby | Stands for $10,000 at Lane's End |
| 5 | Max Player | DNF Alw OC (Feb. 25 at OP) | Stands for $5,000 at Annestes Farms |
| 6 | Storm The Court | 9th Alw OC (Sun. at DMR) | No works since last race |
| 7 | Enforceable | 1st Clásico Independencia (G2) | No works since last race |
| 8 | Ny Traffic | 3rd Harlan's Holiday (G3) | Worked 3f Sept. 22 at GP |
| 9 | Necker Island | 4th Louisville Thoroughbred Society | Worked 4f Nov. 9 at CD |
| 10 | Major Fed | 6th Clm (May 26 at CD) | No works since last race |
| 11 | Sole Volante | 10th Alw OC (Jan. 28, 2023 at GP) | No works since last race |
| 12 | Winning Impression | 3rd Alw (Nov. 12, 2020 at CD) | Deceased |
| 13 | Money Moves | 1st Alw OC (Oct. 23, 2020 at BEL) | Retrained at New Vocations. |
| 14 | Attachment Rate | 7th Alw OC (Feb. 21, 2022 at OP) | Worked 3f Dec. 17, 2022 at OP |
| 15 | South Bend | 5th Alw OC (Sept. 14 at WO) | No works since last race |
2019 Kentucky Derby
Though three of the runners from the 2019 Kentucky Derby have either raced or worked in 2024, none have been in action in the last four weeks.
| Derby | Horse | Last race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country House | 1st 2019 Kentucky Derby | Stands for $7,500 at Darby Dan |
| 2 | Code of Honor | 5th 2021 Cigar Mile | Deceased |
| 3 | Tacitus | 4th 2021 Lukas Classic (G3) | Stands for $10,000 at Taylor Made |
| 4 | Improbable | 2nd 2020 Breeders' Cup Classic | Deceased |
| 5 | Game Winner | 1st 2019 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) | Stands for $20,000 at Lane's End |
| 6 | Master Fencer | 4th 2021 Hakusan Daishoten | Covered 17 mares in 2023 |
| 7 | War of Will | 9th 2020 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile | Stands for $25,000 at Claiborne |
| 8 | Plus Que Parfait | 10th 2022 Jebel Ali Mile (G3) | No works since last race |
| 9 | Win Win Win | 1st 2020 Forego (G1) | Stands for $5,000 at Ocala Stud |
| 10 | Cutting Humor | 5th 2020 Mineshaft (G3) | Stands for $1,500 at McDowell Farm |
| 11 | By My Standards | 5th 2021 Whitney (G1) | Stands for $5,000 at Spendthrift |
| 12 | Vekoma | 1st 2020 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) | Stands for $15,000 at Spendthrift |
| 13 | Bodexpress | 1st 2020 Clark (G1) | Stands for $3,500 at Pleasant Acres |
| 14 | Tax | 2nd 2023 Challenger (G3) | Worked 4f May 27 at SAR |
| 15 | Roadster | 8th 2022 Buckland | Stands for $7,500 at Ocala Stud |
| 16 | Long Range Toddy | 5th Sir Shackleton | No works since last race |
| 17 | Maximum Security | 5th 2020 Breeders' Cup Classic | Stands for $7,500 at Ashford |
| 18 | Spinoff | 4th 2020 Woodward (G1) | No works since June 6, 2021 |
| 19 | Gray Magician | 2nd Alw OC (June 18 at MNR) | No works since last race |