Kentucky Derby notes: How the contenders spent Monday morning

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bourbon worked in company with recent Turfway Park maiden winner Bajan Rum through fractions of 12.4, 24.0, 35.6. The Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80 and completed seven furlongs in 1:26, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

Tuesday will be the first day on the track for Blue Grass (G2) runner-up Highly Motivated, who arrived at trainer Chad Brown’s Barn 25 at 8 a.m. (all times EDT from Keeneland. Brown is scheduled to be at Churchill Downs Tuesday.

Bourbonic, Dynamic One, Known Agenda, Sainthood – Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent his four hopefuls for the Run for the Roses out for 1 3/8-mile gallops Monday morning.

Pletcher used the 7:30-7:45 a.m. training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks candidates to send out St. Elias Stable’s Known Agenda with Hector Ramos aboard, Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Dynamic One with Carlos Perez Quevedo aboard and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.’s Sainthood with Amelia Green aboard.

Calumet Farm’s Bourbonic galloped after 9:00 with Ramos aboard.

Pletcher said Monday morning that no rider has been confirmed for Sainthood, who comes into Derby 147 off a runner-up finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 27.

Caddo River, Essential Quality, Mandaloun – Godolphin’s Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality and Juddmonte Farm’s Mandaloun jogged at 6:20 Monday at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox while stablemate Caddo River galloped at 5:15.

“(Essential Quality and Mandaloun) both came out of their Saturday works in good shape,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We’re gearing up. It’s getting exciting around the barn and we’re ready for the Derby.”

Plans for Shortleaf Stable’s Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River to run in the Kentucky Derby remain tentative.

Helium, Soup and Sandwich – D J Stable’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Helium along with Live Oak Plantation’s Florida Derby (G1) Soup and Sandwich had a scheduled walk day at trainer Mark Casse’s Barn 36 at Churchill Downs.

“We had an easy day around the barn today,” said Casse assistant David Carroll.

Both horses are scheduled to work this weekend.

Highly Motivated– Klaravich Stables’ homebred Highly Motivated, runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start April 3, arrived at Churchill Downs at 8:00 Monday morning from Keeneland.

The Chad Brown trainee had worked a half-mile in 47.2 Sunday morning that was the best of 27 at the distance.

Keepmeinmind – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith’s Keepmeinmind jogged two miles early Monday morning under exercise rider Enrique Benitez for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs last fall, Keepmeinmind had worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 under Benitez at Keeneland on Saturday and arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

He currently sits No. 22 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

King Fury– Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s King Fury galloped 1 1/2 miles at 5:30 under exercise rider Danny Ramsey for trainer Kenny McPeek.

He needs one defection to make the field of 20 for the first Saturday in May.

Midnight Bourbon, Super Stock – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ multiple graded stakes placed-colt Midnight Bourbon worked five furlongs in 59.8 in company with stablemate Bajan Rum (five furlongs, 1:00.8).

“We’re obviously very excited about who Midnight Bourbon is,” Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said. “Physically, he’s an absolutely beautiful horse. Going over the track now, he’s as good as he’s ever been. He’s always had a big frame, now there’s just more of him in the right spots.”

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen’s upset Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Super Stock had a scheduled walk day.

O Besos – Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds’ Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher O Besos jogged about one mile under Margarito Fierro at 6:30 a.m. Monday at Churchill Downs.

O Besos is scheduled to work Wednesday.

Starrinmydreams – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm’s third-place Lexington Stakes (G3) finisher Starrininmydreams galloped about 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Starrininmydreams sits No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.