Kentucky Derby prospect works: 6 drill for Asmussen

This new feature offers details on the latest published works by prospective Kentucky Derby 2023 contenders.

This report includes horses who have odds of 200-1 or shorter in our latest report on Las Vegas Derby futures.

Some of these horses already have wins in points preps, while others need a quality race or two before they'll be considered serious contenders.

All six Kentucky Derby prospects who worked on Monday morning are trained by Steve Asmussen, though some worked at Fair Grounds and others at Oaklawn. They are headlined by Powerful, who bounced back from an 11th-place finish in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) Oct. 8 at Keeneland with a stakes victory in his latest start, the Ed Brown at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26.

Asmussen's workers also included Gun Pilot, who most recently finished second in an allowance at Oaklawn on Jan. 14. Gun Pilot is entered to run again in an allowance-level dirt mile Saturday in Hot Springs.

First Defender (Quality Road), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Grounds on Monday morning. It was the fastest of two works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going six furlongs on the main track at Fair Grounds on Jan. 21 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Gun Pilot (Gun Runner), worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 14 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Joking Way (Practical Joke), worked four furlongs in 52.4 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 18 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 20 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Powerful (Nyquist), worked four furlongs in 52.6 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was 22 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. 26 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Shopper's Revenge (Tapit), worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 14 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Silver Heist (Tapit), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Grounds on Monday morning. It was the fastest of two works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Jan. 21 for trainer Steve Asmussen.