Kentucky Derby trail: Fierceness leads 34 Saturday workouts

Repole Stable’s Fierceness, newly honored as 2023 champion 2-year-old, breezed at Palm Beach Downs Saturday morning in advance of next Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the son of City of Light was timed in 49.33 seconds for a half-mile.

“I was very pleased. He had a serious work last week – fifty-nine-and-change (for five furlongs). We were just looking for a maintenance work today,” Pletcher said.

Fierceness is coming off a 6 1/4-length romp in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.

“Knock on wood. He’s done everything super this winter. We’re excited getting him going again,” Pletcher said.

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who guided Fierceness to victory in the Juvenile, was aboard for Saturday’s breeze.

Four last-out winners in Kentucky Derby futures books also worked bullets Saturday morning.

Remington Springboard Mile winner Otto the Conqueror drilled Saturday morning at Oaklawn, covering five furlongs in 1:00.6. It was the joint fastest work of six at the distance. The work was his third since his win in the Springboard Mile on Dec. 15, though it was his first since Jan. 7. Otto the Conqueror is a 125-1 best price in Las Vegas, and closed at 91-1 in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The Steve Asmussen trainee shared the bullet designation with stablemate Carbone, a Dec. 31 allowance winner at Oaklawn who is a 50-1 best price in Las Vegas and closed at 36-1 in the latest KDFW pool.

Two other last-out allowance winners also earned bullets for Saturday-morning drills. Change of Command, an allowance winner Jan. 5 for trainer Shug McGaughey, had the fastest four-furlong move at Payson Park. Change of Command, a 100-1 best price in Las Vegas, will pay 83-1 in the latest KDFW pool. Mission Beach, who worked a four-furlong bullet at Pimlico for trainer Brittany Russell, won a Laurel allowance Dec. 22. He was not an individual interest in Pool 3 of the KDFW, and is a 300-1 best price in Las Vegas futures.

These 34 horses in Las Vegas futures for the Kentucky Derby worked Saturday morning across the country:

Agate Road (Quality Road), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Pilgrim), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he placed second in the Dania Beach going one mile on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Bartholdy (Mendelssohn) worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 71st fastest of 80 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed third in a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 10 for trainer Simon Callaghan.

Bentornato (Valiant Minister) worked four furlongs in 52.0 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the 57th fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed third in the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 2 for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo.

Better Than Gold (Nyquist) worked six furlongs in 1:14.4 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the seventh fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going seven furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Del Mar on Dec. 2 for trainer Gary Mandella.

Born Noble (Constitution) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he won a maiden race going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 30 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Carbone (Mitole) worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was 15 days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 31 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Change of Command (Into Mischief) worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 66 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 5 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Conquest Warrior (City of Light) worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 66 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 Gulfstream Park on Jan. 13 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Crazy Mason (Coal Front) worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 76th fastest of 79 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going one mile and 40 yards on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 14 for trainer Greg Sacco.

Domestic Product (Practical Joke) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 66 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed seventh in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 2 for trainer Chad Brown.

El Dinero (El Deal) worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Delta Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Delta Downs. In his last start he placed second in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile going six furlongs on the main track at Fair Grounds on Dec. 9 for trainer Patrick Devereux Jr.

Fierceness (City of Light), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile), worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Go Otto Go (Bolt d'Oro) worked four furlongs in 53.2 seconds at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 29 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 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Sam Houston Race Park on Jan. 14 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Heart Headed (Oscar Performance) worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 54th fastest of 80 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a starter allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 15 for trainer John Sadler.

Imagination (Into Mischief) worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 63rd fastest of 81 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 1 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Khanate (Hightail) worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 38th fastest of 108 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Jerome going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on Jan. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Last Call London (Stay Thirsty) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at San Luis Rey on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 35 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 13 for trainer Peter Miller.

Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed ninth in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 2 for trainer Eniel Cordero.

Mission Beach (Curlin) worked four furlongs in 49.3 seconds at Pimlico on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Laurel Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on Dec. 22 for trainer Brittany Russell.

Moonlit Sonata (Malibu Moon) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 81 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 6 for trainer Tim Yakteen.

Move to Gold (Twirling Candy) worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the 31st fastest of 66 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he won the Awad going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 28 for trainer Chad Brown.

Mystik Dan (Goldencents) worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed fifth in the Smarty Jones going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 1 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

No More Time (Not This Time) worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed fifth in the Mucho Macho Man going one mile on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 1 for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo.

Noted (Cairo Prince) worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he won the Pulpit going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 9 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense) worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was 20 days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won the Remington Springboard Mile going one mile on the main track at Remington Park on Dec. 15 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Pandagate (Arrogate) worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the 42nd fastest of 66 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Laurel Park on Dec. 9 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Pilot Commander (Justify) worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 81 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 6 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Seminole Chief (Girvin) worked four furlongs in 49.3 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going six furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he won the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 2 for trainer Jack Sisterson.

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 66 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed second in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 2 for trainer Chad Brown.

Speed Runner (Gun Runner) worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 38th fastest of 108 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 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 8 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Tennessee (Justify) worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 54th fastest of 132 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 synthetic at Turfway Park on Jan. 12 for trainer Brad Cox.

Texas Town (Speightstown) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 42 works at the distance. His previous work was 15 days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won a maiden race going six furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 8 for trainer Chris Hartman.

Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso) worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 81 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fourth in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Los Alamitos Race Course on Dec. 16 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Wynstock (Solomini), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Los Alamitos Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 65th fastest of 81 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Los Alamitos Race Course on Dec. 16 for trainer Bob Baffert.