Ky. Derby works: Blacksmith has 1st work since Los Al Futurity
Blacksmith worked Monday for the first time since his second-place finish in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity.
Trained by Bob Baffert, the Liam's Map colt went three furlongs in 36.6 seconds at Santa Anita, fifth fastest of 21 at the distance.
Kentucky Derby 2026: Here's the leaderboard after 11 races
Bought for $525,000 as a yearling and owned by Wathnan Racing, Blacksmith was at 45-1 in Las Vegas futures Monday for Kentucky Derby 2026.
He's now 0-for-3 after finishing second and then fifth in maiden special weights in October and November.
These horses with Derby odds in Las Vegas and other HRN top contenders were on the Monday tab.
Blacksmith (Liam's Map) worked three furlongs in 36.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 21 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Los Alamitos on Dec. 13 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Brigante (More Than Ready) worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of 30 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on Nov. 30 for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Cherokee Nation (Not This Time) worked three furlongs in 36.6 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 21 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2025 American Pharoah), worked five furlongs in 1:02.8 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 48th fastest of 61 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 Breeders' Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Oct. 31 for trainer Jeff Mullins.
Obliteration (Violence), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Sanford), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Fair Grounds on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 28 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint going five furlongs on the turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31 for trainer Steve Asmussen.