Kentucky Derby roundup: 16 contenders are now at Churchill

On a chilly Monday morning at Churchill Downs, the action was non-stop at trainer Bill Mott’s barn 19 as his Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls Resilience and Just F Y I had published workouts beneath the twin spires.

Other major headlines from Monday morning included the arrival of Fierceness from Palm Beach Downs in South Florida and the first day of training at Churchill Downs for Grade 1 Blue Grass winner Sierra Leone.

As of Monday, 16 of the top 20 Derby contenders were at Churchill Downs. Stronghold is expected on Tuesday, Grand Mo the First on Thursday, and T O Password and West Saratoga on Friday.

Here are updates on the contenders.

Catalytic. Catalytic arrived from South Florida at 7 a.m. EDT on Monday morning for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Runner-up in the Florida Derby (G1) in his most recent start, Catalytic will be ridden by Jose Ortiz in the Kentucky Derby. Catalytic is scheduled to work Sunday.

Catching Freedom, Encino, Just a Touch. Trainer Brad Cox’s Derby trio of Catching Freedom, Encino and Just a Touch all trained Monday at 7:30 a.m. EDT.

Catching Freedom and Just a Touch, who recorded published workouts Saturday, had a lighter training session than Encino.

“They’re all handling things well right now,” Cox said. “At this point we’re one work away from the Derby, so we’re looking forward to seeing them train this week and then working all three of them this weekend.”

All three are likely to train Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. EDT.

Domestic Product, Sierra Leone. Domestic Product arrived at Churchill Downs from Payson Park in South Florida early Monday morning for trainer Chad Brown.

Winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his most recent start, Domestic Product will be ridden in the Derby by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sierra Leone, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes in his most recent start, galloped a little more than a mile under Kriss Bon.

The final pre-Derby works for the two likely will be Saturday, depending on the weather. As of Monday, rain was forecast for Friday with a lesser chance of precipitation for Saturday.

Dornoch, Society Man. Trainer Danny Gargan’s Derby duo of Dornoch and Society Man jogged Monday morning under Pricilla Schaefer. Both horses are scheduled to work Saturday.

Dornoch, the full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, also visited the starting gate. Luis Saez has the Derby mount. Society Man has not had a rider confirmed by Gargan for the Derby.

Endlessly. The Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Endlessly had an easy Monday at trainer Michael McCarthy’s barn 35 after he breezed five furlongs in 1:00.8 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The son of Oscar Performance was one of the first horses to school in the paddock after training later Monday morning under the watchful eye of McCarthy’s local assistant Justin Curran.

McCarthy is scheduled to return to Louisville Thursday morning.

Fierceness. Fierceness, runaway winner of the Florida Derby (G1) in his most recent start for trainer Todd Pletcher, arrived at Churchill Downs at 4:30 Monday morning from Palm Beach Downs in South Florida.

Forever Young. Undefeated Forever Young spent 20 minutes in the mile chute and then galloped a 1 1/2 miles under Yusaku Oka.

Winner of the Saudi Derby (G3) and UAE Derby (G2) in his past two starts, Forever Young is trained by Yoshito Yahagi.

Ryusei Sakai, who has been aboard Forever Young in all of his starts, is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on Monday night and will be aboard the colt the next two mornings with a workout scheduled for Wednesday. Sakai will return to Japan after the two days here and then return Thursday of Derby Week.

Grand Mo the First. Grand Mo the First is scheduled to work Tuesday morning at Gulfstream Park for trainer Victor Barboza Jr.

“If he works out tomorrow with God’s favor and everything is OK, we are traveling to Kentucky on Thursday,” Barboza said via text.

Jockey Emisael Jaramillo will be aboard for the work scheduled at 8 a.m. EDT.

Honor Marie. Honor Marie galloped 1 1/2 miles Monday at 7:30 a.m. EDT under trainer Whit Beckman’s exercise rider Maurilio Garcia.

Honor Marie will have his final work for the Kentucky Derby on Thursday with jockey Ben Curtis in the saddle. Beckman confirmed Monday that Curtis will have the mount in Kentucky Derby 150.

Just Steel. Just Steel walked Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ famed barn 44 on Monday after working one mile in 1:40.0 on Saturday.

Mystik Dan. Mystik Dan, third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his most recent start, galloped Monday morning for trainer Kenny McPeek. Mystik Dan is scheduled to work Saturday.

McPeek also said that Common Defense would not run in the Kentucky Derby, with plans to be determined.

Resilience. Resilience had a serious tuneup for Kentucky Derby 150 Monday with a five-furlong move in 1:01.6 under jockey Junior Alvarado, who has the mount in the run for the roses.

Resilience galloped about one mile before he worked Monday at 9 a.m. EDT. The winner of the Wood Memorial (G2) breezed an opening quarter-mile in 25.8 seconds and easily galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.6, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“He’s the type of horse that has taken a little more time to mature than some others,” trainer Bill Mott said. “We took our time with his development, and it’s seemed to have worked out well.”

Stronghold. Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold galloped Monday morning at Santa Anita and is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Tuesday.

“He galloped this morning and looked good and will be flying your way early tomorrow morning,” trainer Phil D’Amato said via text. “He will probably work Sunday, and (jockey Antonio) Fresu night come in to breeze him.”

T O Password. T O Password is scheduled to leave Japan Tuesday to start the long trek to Churchill Downs, which will include a stopover in Chicago to quarantine for 42 hours before a scheduled arrival in Louisville early Friday morning.

Track Phantom. Trainer Steve Asmussen’s Barn 38 was quiet Monday morning after Track Phantom’s five-furlong move in 1:00.80 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Track Phantom, who had a scheduled walk day, was expected to return to the track Tuesday.

West Saratoga. West Saratoga galloped 1 3/4 miles at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Ky., for his first day back at the track since working six furlongs in 1:16.2 on Friday at Keeneland.

Trainer Larry Demeritte plans to bring West Saratoga to Churchill Downs on Friday with a three-furlong work scheduled for Saturday. Jesus Castanon has the Derby mount.

Also eligible. Epic Ride galloped at The Thoroughbred Center Monday morning for trainer John Ennis.