Kentucky Derby 2020: Video workout report
Tiz the Law sticks out like a sore thumb when looking through the 2020 Kentucky Derby past performances, but beyond the black and white of the Daily Racing Form, value can be found by watching the contenders' race replays and workouts.
Here's a closer look at how every Derby entrant has been preparing for the $3 million race, with workout videos of most runners, to try to find hidden value underneath the heavy favorite.
Tiz the Law (#17, 3-5)
Last Work: 5 Furlongs in :59.21 at Saratoga on Aug. 29
Analysis: It was tough to see the first half of this work as it was under the cover of early-morning darkness, but the Derby favorite looked great once set down in the lane. He is a consummate professional and does everything with ease. If one is looking for vulnerabilities in this colt, they will have to look beyond his works, because this was rock solid.
Honor A. P. (#16, 5-1)
Last Work: 7 furlongs in 1:27.20 at Del Mar on Aug. 29
Analysis: Honor A. P. was a short horse for the Shared Belief, and trainer John Shirreffs is taking no chances in the Kentucky Derby. I love the fitness that this 7 furlong drill provides, and this long striding colt looks as good as ever. He has been working well all month and has the best chance of any horse to beat Tiz the Law.
Authentic (#18, 8-1)
Last Work: 6 furlongs in 1:12.40 at Del Mar on Aug. 30
Analysis: In typical Baffert fashion, this was a good work, but I have seen him work slightly better before. This talented runner will have to answer distance questions in the Derby, but he might not have to deal with much pace pressure.
Thousand Words (#10, 15-1)
Last Work: 5 furlongs in :59.80 at Del Mar on Aug. 29
Analysis: This work brought about mixed emotions. The time was good, but he was working in weak company and could not make up as much ground as I would have hoped. The gallop out was strong, but he seems likely to regress off his Shared Belief win.
Enforceable (#3, 30-1)
Last Work: 4 furlongs in :49.60 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 29
Analysis: This is the strongest I have seen Enforceable look. It was a good work for a long shot who is hoping for a pace meltdown to increase his chances.
King Guillermo (#6, 20-1)
Last Work:4 furlongs in :52.20 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 29
Analysis: This was nothing more than a maintenance work. The work was fine and he has worked well up to this point, but would have liked to see a more aggressive spin for the Derby starter off a four-month layoff.
Winning Impression (#14, 50-1)
Last Work: 5 furlongs in :59.20 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 28
Analysis: There was nothing wrong with this work, but many other Derby contenders simply look better on paper and in the mornings. He worked fast, but was chirped on a bit by the exercise rider to do so.
Necker Island (#11, 50-1)
Last Work: 4 furlongs in :48.20 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 28
Analysis: Though his form is lacking, Necker Island could be given exotics consideration based on this work alone. A horse can not work this fast any easier, as he dispatched his company without being asked.
Major Fed (#5, 50-1)
Last Work: 5 furlongs in :59.00 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 28
Analysis: This was a decent work as he blitzed though 5 furlongs in :59.00. He runs with his head high and is not the prettiest of movers. Though a fast work, it was not enough to warrant Derby consideration.
Storm the Court (#4, 50-1)
Last Work: 6 furlongs in 1:12.80 at Del Mar on Aug. 29
Analysis: Storm the Court has always been a good work horse, and this work was par for the course. It was a solid, but not spectacular spin that did little to change the opinion of him, good or bad.
Max Player (#2, 30-1)
Last Work: 4 furlongs in :49.80 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 31
Analysis: Max Player worked on Aug. 31, but Aug. 24 was his serious Derby drill. He looks better than ever in the Asmussen barn and is worth considering for a piece underneath.
Ny Traffic (#15, 20-1)
Last Work: 5 furlongs in :59.45 at Saratoga on Aug. 28
Analysis: Only caught the last part of his work, but he finished up well and was not asked to get this fast time. He seems to be getting good at the right time.
Go to this XBTV link to see the workout.
Money Moves (#7, 30-1)
Last Work: 5 furlongs in 1:00.14 at Saratoga on Aug. 28
Analysis: Money Moves worked well as he held an older stakes winner at bay throughout. He might not stack up to others class-wise, but he could outrun his odds based on this work.
Go to this XBTV link to see the workout.
Attachment Rate (#13, 50-1)
Last Work: 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 30
Analysis: Only caught the end of this work as Attachment Rate finished up well. He will need to take a large step forward to compete on Saturday.
Attachment Rate 5F 1:01.20. Splits: 12.60, 24.60, 37, 48.80/1:14. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/Fa6IXZeFoq
Last Work: 5 furlongs in :57.80 on the turf at Palm Meadows on Aug. 28
Analysis: While there is no video of this work, the time over the Palm Meadows turf course was blazing fast. Trainer Patrick Biancone often works horses on grass or at long distances so this is nothing unusual, even for a Derby contender. It sounded like all systems were go in this useful grass prep.
#KyDerby contender Sole Volante is taking in the scenes of @ChurchillDowns after arriving this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/JlYb5FLniO
Last Work: 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 at the Throughbred Center on Aug. 26
Analysis: Four of his past five works have been bullets, so it certainly seems like he has been working well. But few people have seen him work as the drills have come at the Throughbred Center.
Mr. Big News (#9, 50-1)
Last Work:5 furlongs in 1:04.40 on the turf at Churchill Downs on Aug. 30
Analysis: Like Sole Volante, he had his final work on turf. Unlike Sole Volante, it was slow. I would imagine it was just a simple maintenance work, but he would need to take a big leap forward to compete in here.
South Bend (#8, 50-1)
Last Work: 4 furlongs in :49.78 at Churchill Downs on Aug. 30
Analysis: No video of his latest work, but South Bend has always been a strong work horse. Watch him outwork older stakes winner Tacitus shortly after joining the Bill Mott barn below.
Go to this XBTV link to see the workout.