Kentucky Derby video: Wilkes discusses Burnham Square

Burnham Square, winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass, worked at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning, just 11 days after that victory in his final prep. He went four furlongs in 49.4 seconds.

In the eyes of Ian Wilkes, Burnham Square's trainer, that quick return to the work tab was just what his horse needed at this point in his preparations for Kentucky Derby 2025, given his current level of energy.

"I got down deep in this horse. Fitness, you've got to get to another level. And you come out of it high as a kite. And, I see him going to the pole today. He's a little bit too high...I'm glad I let him just stretch his legs. He would have gotten frustrated."

Wilkes also sees signs that Burnham Square can move forward off of that already-strong effort at Keeneland. "It's probably the first time I've seen this horse quarter up like he did coming out of that race, so I really felt like I got something out of that, what I really wanted."

Wilkes is optimistic about his horse's chances in the Kentucky Derby. He thinks he compares well with the horses coming out of Florida, something that bears out in the race performances since Burnham Square won the Holy Bull (G3) and was an in-range fourth behind Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth (G2). Wilkes also believes Burnham Square will be able to handle the 1-1/4 mile trip.

He speaks from experience with Kentucky Derby horses in the past. While working for trainer Carl Nafzger, Wilkes was the regular exercise rider for 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled. He was also Nafzger's assistant in 2007, when Street Sense won the run for the roses.