Kentucky Derby works: Buetane drills for Baffert at Santa Anita
Buetane, who was second to Ted Noffey last out in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, worked six furlongs at Santa Anita on Wednesday for trainer Bob Baffert.
The 2-year-old by Tiz the Law covered the distance in 1:12.6, the faster of two works at the distance.
Buetane, purchased in April by Zedan Racing Stables for $1.15 million, was at 40-1 in Las Vegas futures this week for Kentucky Derby 2026. The Sept. 1 Hopeful was his second start. He won his debut at Del Mar in August.
He worked in company with stablemate Boyd, 45-1 in Nevada futures. The Violence has made one start, winning a maiden special weight at Del Mar on Sept. 7. He also is owned by Zedan Racing and sold for $1.05 million in May.
Buetane was one of eight horses among those in Las Vegas futures and other Horse Racing Nation top contenders for Kentucky Derby 2026 who had published works Wednesday.
Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero) worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 23 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 25 for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Blacksmith (Liam's Map) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 25 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Boyd (Violence) worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the third fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won a maiden race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Sept. 7 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Buetane (Tiz the Law) worked six furlongs in 1:12.6 at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the faster of two works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the Hopeful (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Sept. 1 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Cherokee Nation (Not This Time) worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 13 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Provenance (Into Mischief) worked six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the slower of two works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won a maiden race going six furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Sept. 27 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Rio Grande (Justify) worked five furlongs in 59.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed third in a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 25 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Talk to Me Jimmy (Modernist) worked four furlongs in 52.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Wednesday morning. It was the 18th fastest of 19 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 Rudy Rodriguez.