Kentucky Derby 2024: 9 horses in futures book work Saturday

Nine horses in Las Vegas futures for Kentucky Derby 2024 recorded timed workouts across the country on Saturday morning, including one horse who drilled for the first time since a stakes placing and three others who were timed by the clocker for the first time since a victory.

Secret Lover, most recently second on Dec. 2 in the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality, worked an easy five furlongs on the Gulfstream dirt. Though he remains a maiden after seven starts, the Antonio Sano trainee has raced in Florida-bred stakes company three times so far, finishing only 1/2 length short in his most recent try. Secret Lover is entered Thursday at Gulfstream in a maiden-optional claiming race. In that one-mile dirt race, he is one of four Florida-breds who are protected; the other three entrants were bred in other states and thus have to race for a $50,000 claiming tag.

Three other horses worked for the first time since a victory. Regalo, who drilled four furlongs Saturday morning at Laurel, romped by 4 1/2 lengths for trainer Brittany Russell in a 1 1/16-mile dirt allowance at Laurel on Dec. 9. It was his second win in three start, all in Maryland. Dale Romans' trainee J Bird Time worked for the first time since a Dec. 16 maiden win at Turfway, while Mike Maker charge Mikealicious posted his first drill since graduating on the dirt at Oaklawn on Dec. 9.

These are the horses in the Kentucky Derby futures betting who drilled on Saturday morning:

Crazy Mason (Coal Front), worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 41st fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs. In his last start he placed second in the Inaugural going six furlongs on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 2 for trainer Greg Sacco.

Eliminate (Curlin), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 35 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in a maiden race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 8 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

J Bird Time (Not This Time), worked four furlongs in 52.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 27 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Dec. 15 for trainer Dale Romans.

Mikealicious (Blame), worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 37 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 9 for trainer Mike Maker.

Normandy Hero (Omaha Beach), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was five days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed third in the Ed Brown going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Northern Flame (Flameaway), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed fifth in the Street Sense (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Oct. 29 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Orb Alpha (Orb), worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 37 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 9 for trainer Padarath Lutchman.

Regalo (Maximus Mischief), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Laurel Park on Saturday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 63 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Laurel Park on Dec. 9 for trainer Brittany Russell.

Secret Lover (Khozan), worked five furlongs in 1:05.6 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the slowest of 19 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 2 for trainer Antonio Sano.