Kentucky Derby works + videos: Journalism leads 13 contenders

Journalism, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez and Baeza all worked Saturday at Santa Anita ahead of potential starts in next weekend’s G1 Santa Anita Derby on the road to Kentucky Derby 2025.

With jockey Umberto Rispoli aboard, Journalism turned in a five-furlong solo work clocked at 1:01.4. Last Saturday, Journalism also worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 while in company.

“I let him run a little bit down the lane with a solid gallop-out,” trainer Michael McCarthy said Saturday. “He did everything we asked of him.”

By Curlin, Journalism exits a win in the San Felipe (G2) in his 3-year-old debut March 1 at Santa Anita. The eye-catching performance earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which was the highest recorded this year by an active 3-year-old, according to Daily Racing Form. It also propelled him to consensus 6-1 favoritism in Nevada futures betting for the Kentucky Derby.

McCarthy said Journalism will remain on his “regular routine” between now and next Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby with daily gallops. “Nothing special,” he said.

Journalism is 4: 3-0-1 with $338,880 in earnings for breeder Don Alberto Stable and co-owners Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 and Robert Lapenta. Before the San Felipe, Journalism won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in December.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Citizen Bull worked five furlongs in company in 58.4 seconds with jockey Juan Hernández aboard. It was the fastest of 42 works at the distance. Citizen Bull’s workmate, 4-year-old colt Dothraki, was timed at 59.4 seconds.

Citizen Bull won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) on Feb. 1 at Santa Anita in his only start this year. Last year he earned the Eclipse Award as the champion 2-year-old male after winning the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar.

Citizen Bull has a record of 5: 4-0-1 with $1,421,000 in earnings for an ownership group led by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and Stonestreet Stables.

Rodríguez, also trained by Baffert, worked five furlongs by himself in 59.6 seconds. In two starts this year the colt by Authentic was second in the Robert B. Lewis and third in the San Felipe. He shares a similar ownership group as Citizen Bull.

Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs, worked six furlongs in company in 1:12.0 with jockey Héctor Berrios aboard. His workmate Bolt It Down is an unraced 3-year-old colt by Bolt d’Oro. He was credited with a four-furlong work in 47.0 seconds, the second-fastest at the distance.

“Just getting him a step closer,” Shirreffs said.

Baeza exits a 4 3/4-length maiden win going a mile at Santa Anita on Feb. 14. The colt by McKinzie out of Puca is a half-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch.

At Keeneland, East Avenue also was on the work tab Saturday. The winner of the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last fall completed his final major preparations for next Saturday’s Blue Grass (G1) over the same course by working a half-mile in 47.0 seconds on a fast track.

With Stephen Dolan aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh, Godolphin homebred East Avenue started 2 lengths in front of workmate Gosger, a 3-year-old maiden winner, and was 3 lengths in front at the wire. Fractions for the work were 23.4 and 47.0 seconds, galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.4.

“It was just a maintenance work; he did all of his major work at Fair Grounds,” said Paul Madden, assistant to Walsh. “I got his last quarter in 23 and 4. He picked up a little company (from two other workers) at the top of the stretch, but Stephen said he didn’t mind it at all.”

The work was penciled in for Sunday and Walsh was scheduled to fly to Keeneland from South Florida Saturday night, but with stormy weather forecasted for the next few days in the Lexington area, the work was moved up a day.

East Avenue will need a new rider for the Blue Grass because regular partner Tyler Gaffalione is sidelined with a broken ankle. That rider is to be determined.

These 13 horses in Kentucky Derby futures worked across the country Saturday morning.

Admiral Dennis (Constitution) worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed sixth in the Rebel (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 23 for trainer Brad Cox.

Baeza (McKinzie) worked six furlongs in 1:12.0 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won a maiden special-weight race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 14 for trainer John Shirreffs.

Burnham Square (Liam's Map), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Holy Bull), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed fourth in the Fountain of Youth (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on March 1 for trainer Ian Wilkes.

Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Champagne, 2024 Hopeful), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, 2024 American Pharoah), worked five furlongs in 58.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 1 for trainer Bob Baffert.

East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Breeders' Futurity), worked four furlongs in 47.0 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 106 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed 10th in the Risen Star (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Gunmetal (Gun Runner) worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed third in the Swale going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 1 for trainer Brad Cox.

Journalism (Curlin), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2025 San Felipe, 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the San Felipe (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 1 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Omaha Omaha (Audible) worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Laurel Park on Saturday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 46 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Virginia Derby going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Colonial Downs on March 15 for trainer Michael Gorham.

Owen Almighty (Speightstown), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Tampa Bay Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:00.7 at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8 for trainer Brian Lynch.

Render Judgment (Blame) worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 31 works at the distance. His previous work was 20 days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed 2nd in the Virginia Derby going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Colonial Downs on March 15 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 19th fastest of 67 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed 13th in the Rebel (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 23 for trainer Dallas Stewart.