Derby works: Endlessly leads 15 futures candidates on tab

Endlessly returned to the work tab for the first time since his convincing victory in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks two weeks ago with an easy half-mile move in 49.6 seconds on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Michael McCarthy for Amerman Racing, Endlessly is possible to compete in Kentucky Derby 2024. Should the son of Oscar Performance run in the Derby, it would be his first start on a dirt surface.

"After the Jeff Ruby, Mr. Amerman and I talked and we're going to leave all of our options open," McCarthy said. "We still have a few weeks to train here and have some time to make a final decision as to what we do next."

Endlessly worked at 7:30 a.m. EDT with exercise rider Walter Davila in the irons outside of stablemate Blue Eyed George. The duo stayed together for most of the work with Endlessly taking a slight advantage on the gallop out, completing five furlongs in 1:02.8 according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

Two hours earlier, Rebel Stakes (G2) runner-up Common Defense breezed a half-mile in a swift 47.8 seconds outside stablemate Real Men Violin. Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Common Defense began his work in a modest 24.6-second quarter-mile split and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.4, according to Churchill Downs clocker Adam Wallace.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Common Defense has 37 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, which currently places him 17th on the leaderboard prior to Saturday's Wood Memorial (G2), Blue Grass (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1).

McPeek's other top 3-year-old, Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Mystik Dan, is tentatively scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs from Oaklawn in the coming days according to assistant trainer Greg Geier.

Two Kentucky Derby contenders are scheduled to return to the work tab Sunday at Churchill Downs: Risen Star (G2) runner-up Track Phantom and Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Honor Marie.

Fifteen horses listed in the national pari-mutuel and Las Vegas futures for the Kentucky Derby were on the Saturday work tab.

Awesome Road (Quality Road) worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the 60th fastest of 81 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 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on March 2 for trainer Brad Cox.

Bergen (Liam's Map) worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 121st fastest of 171 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed eighth in the Gotham (G3) going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on March 2 for trainer Brad Cox.

Common Defense (Karakontie) worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 111 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on March 23 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Endlessly (Oscar Performance), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 2023 Zuma Beach, 2023 Del Mar Juvenile Turf), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 78th fastest of 111 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on March 23 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Ethan Energy (Uncle Mo) worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 30 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on March 2 for trainer Brad Cox.

Hawks Creek (Exaggerator) worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 111 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 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 trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Lightline (City of Light) worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 51st fastest of 171 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed seventh in the Gotham (G3) going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on March 2 for trainer Brad Cox.

Lucky Jeremy (Lookin At Lucky) worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 75 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on March 23 for trainer Billy Morey.

Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 111 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Hot Springs going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on March 23 for trainer Brad Cox.

No More Time (Not This Time), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Sam F. Davis), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 52 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he won the Sam F. Davis (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 10 for trainer Jose D'Angelo.

Northern Flame (Flameaway) worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 77th fastest of 131 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on March 23 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Raguel (Justify) worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 19th fastest of 131 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on March 1 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Real Men Violin (Mendelssohn) worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 111 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 11th in the Louisiana Derby (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on March 23 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. 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.

West Saratoga (Exaggerator), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Iroquois), worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Saturday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 30 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on March 23 for trainer Larry Demeritte.