Ky. Derby tab + videos: Baffert has Barnes leading 6 hopefuls

Barnes and Rodríguez, candidates to run in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in the Kentucky Derby 2025 prep series, each worked in company Sunday for trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita.

Their stablemate Citizen Bull, winner of the Robert B. Lewis (G2) on Feb. 1 at Santa Anita, also appeared on the work tab.

Barnes, the 7-1 favorite in Caesars Sportsbook Nevada futures for the Derby, worked in company with fellow 3-year-old Mellencamp, who also is nominated to the San Felipe. Barnes was clocked going six furlongs in 1:12.2. A $3.2 million colt by Into Mischief, Barnes is 2-for-2 including a win in the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs Jan. 4 at Santa Anita. The San Felipe would be Barnes’s first time racing around two turns.

Mellencamp worked five furlongs in 1:00.2. A $775,000 colt by Constitution, Mellencamp is winless in four starts. He most recently finished second to Baeza in a one-mile maiden heat Feb. 14 at Santa Anita. Baeza is being aimed to the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5.

Rodríguez, who was second to Citizen Bull in the Bob Lewis, worked in company with La Cañada (G3) winner Cavalieri. Rodríguez and Cavalieri were clocked going five furlongs in 59.6 seconds. Cavalieri is a candidate for the Beholder Mile (G1) on March 8.

Citizen Bull, the 2023 champion 2-year-old male, worked six furlongs in 1:13.0. He was nominated to the San Felipe but is expected to wait for the Santa Anita Derby.

San Felipe nominee Berlin Wall worked five furlongs in 1:00.8. Trained and co-owned by Steve Knapp, the Practical Joke colt most recently graduated via disqualification vs. California-breds going six furlongs Feb. 12 at Santa Anita.

Six horses who have appeared in recent futures betting either in Nevada or nationally were on the Saturday work tab.

Barnes (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2025 San Vicente), worked six furlongs in 1:12.2 at Santa Anita on Sunday morning. It was the second fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 4 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Champagne, 2024 Hopeful), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Payson Park. It was the second fastest of 48 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 1 for trainer Chad Brown.

Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, 2024 American Pharoah), worked six furlongs in 1:13.0 at Santa Anita. It was the slowest of three works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 1 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Sovereignty (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Street Sense), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Payson Park. It was the fifth fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he won the Street Sense (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Oct. 27 for trainer Bill Mott.

Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) worked four furlongs in 52.0 seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was the slowest of 13 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 Champagne (G1) going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 5 for trainer Todd Pletcher.