Kentucky Derby 2024: 14 early candidates are on work tab

Fierceness and Locked, stablemates who hit the board last month at the Breeders’ Cup, were back on the track Tuesday for workouts that were the most noteworthy among the current betting choices for Kentucky Derby 2024.

Widely regarded as the champion-in-waiting in the 2-year-old male division, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Fierceness was clocked at 39.9 seconds for his three-furlong breeze at Palm Beach Downs. That was where Locked, third in the Juvenile, was timed at 37.9 seconds for the same distance. These were their first breezes for trainer Todd Pletcher since they raced Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

Click here to see Nevada odds for Kentucky Derby 2024.

Of the 236 horses listed in Nevada futures for the Derby, 14 had workouts Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wednesday

Bonus Move (Twirling Candy) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Nov. 17 for trainer Mark Hennig.

Big Effect (The Big Beast) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the 18th fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed third in the Juvenile Sprint going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Nov. 11 for trainer Eddie Plesa.

Tuscan Ruler (More Than Ready) worked three furlongs in 38.4 seconds at Tampa Bay Downs. It was the fifth fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Delaware Park on Sept. 22 for trainer Jerry Bennett.

Tuesday

Fierceness (City of Light) a Grade 1 winner (2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) worked three furlongs in 39.9 at Palm Beach Downs on Tuesday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 8 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Locked (Gun Runner) a Grade 1 winner (2023 Breeders’ Futurity) worked three furlongs in 37.9 seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was the second fastest of 8 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for Pletcher.

Tireless (Not This Time) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25 for Pletcher.

Mischief Joke (Practical Joke) worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fifth in the Sleepy Hollow going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 29 for trainer Mike Maker.

Elysian Meadows (City of Light) worked three furlongs in 37.9 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Nov. 18 for trainer Bill Mott.

Gold Sweep (Speightstown) worked four furlongs in 53.2 seconds at Fair Grounds. It was the slowest of 24 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the Champagne (G1) going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 7 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Cowes (Outwork) worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Fair Grounds. It was the second fastest of 24 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed fifth in the Bowman Mill going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 28 for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Private Thoughts (Neolithic) worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the 17th fastest of 23 works at the distance. His previous work was 19 days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed fifth in the Juvenile Sprint going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Nov. 11 for trainer Ron Spatz.

Lat Long (Liam’s Map) worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Oaklawn. It was the fifth fastest of 47 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Just Steel (Justify) worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Oaklawn. It was the fifth fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won the Ed Brown going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Last Call London (Stay Thirsty) worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at San Luis Rey Training Center. It was the slowest of two works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going six furlongs at San Luis Rey. In his last start he placed seventh in the Golden State Juvenile going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for trainer Peter Miller.