Kentucky Derby works: $5 million Courting drills for Pletcher
Courting, who broke his maiden for trainer Todd Pletcher this month in his second try, breezed four furlongs in 50.2 seconds Friday morning at Belmont Park.
The 2-year-old Curlin colt was listed with odds of 33-1 this week in Las Vegas futures for Kentucky Derby 2026. Owned by Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables and Windancer Farm, he sold for $5 million as a yearling.
Also working Friday was Balboa, a Not This Time colt who won the James F. Lewis III Stakes this month for new trainer Brittany Russell. Owned by the partnership led by SF Racing, he was purchased as a yearling for $875,000 and was 1 for 4 in California for former trainer Bob Baffert. He was at 50-1 in Derby futures.
Eight horses in Las Vegas futures and other HRN top contenders for Kentucky Derby 2026 had published works Friday.
Balboa (Not This Time) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Laurel Park on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 44 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the James F. Lewis III going six furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on Nov. 8 for trainer Brittany Russell.
Courting (Curlin) worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 65th fastest of 110 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 Aqueduct on Nov. 9 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Day One Starter (Upstart) worked four furlongs in 47.3 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 110 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed third in the Nashua going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Nov. 1 for trainer Shug McGaughey.
Diamond Child (Weekend Hideaway) worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 110 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed third in the New York Breeders' Futurity going six furlongs on the main track at Finger Lakes on Oct. 13 for trainer Melanie Giddings.
Froutien (Galilean) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 110 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Sleepy Hollow going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 25 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Gallivant (Into Mischief) worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Bowman Mill going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 25 for trainer Ben Colebrook.
Grittiness (Curlin) worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 65th fastest of 110 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on Nov. 9 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Paladin (Gun Runner) worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 110 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 17 for trainer Chad Brown.