Kentucky Derby prospects: Forte is among 8 on work tab

Eclipse Award winner Forte, was one of two prospects for Kentucky Derby 2023 listed in Las Vegas futures to record a timed workout Saturday.

The 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner covered four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 31 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs

Trainer Todd Pletcher has indicated the three-time Grade 1-winning colt, who was listed as the second choice in the Derby futures pools at 10-1 at Caesars Sportsbook and 8-1 at Circa Sports, likely will make his 3-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on March 4 at Gulfstream Park. 

Carmel Road, runner-up in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in his most recent start, was Saturday's other Derby prospect on the work tab.

The son of Quality Road, listed at 275-1 at Circa and 150-1 at Caesars, worked six furlongs in 1:11.8 at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. It was the fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita.

In his last start he placed second in the Los Alamitos Futurity going 1 1/16 miles Dec. 17, finishing 3 1/4 lengths behind the Tim Yakteen-trained Practical Move, who was listed at 90-1 in both the Caesars and Circa Derby futures pools.

Plans for Carmel Road's next start have not yet been announced. 

As with other 3-year-olds trained by Baffert, Carmel Road has earned no Derby points needed to secure a spot in the starting gate because of his trainer's suspension by Churchill Downs. However, he remains listed as a Derby prospect since he could be transferred to another trainer by Feb. 28, a new deadline imposed by the track this year.

Six other Derby prospects recorded timed workouts on Friday that were not reported until Saturday. They were:

Prove Right (Justify) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the seventh fastest of 76 works at the distance. This was  his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Turfway Prevue going 6 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Jan. 7 for trainer James K. Chapman.

Arctic Arrogance (Frosted) worked five furlongs in 1:03.2 at Belmont Park. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed second in the Jerome going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on Jan. 7 for trainer Linda Rice.

Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Champagne), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Payson Park Training Center. It was the 31st fastest of 32 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Nov. 4 for trainer Chad Brown.

Dubyuhnell (Good Magic), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Remsen), worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was the 11th fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Center. In his last start he won the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 3 for trainer Danny Gargan.

Point Proven (Gun Runner) worked 4 furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was the third fastest of 11 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 1 mile 40 yards on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 13 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Kangaroo Court (Dads Caps) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Santa Anita. It was the 16th fastest of 42 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won a maiden race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 20 for trainer Tim Yakteen.