Kentucky Derby 2024: 14 early candidates are on work tab

Fiercenessand Locked, stablemates who hit the board last month at the Breeders’ Cup, wereback on the track Tuesday for workouts that were the most noteworthy among the currentbetting choices for Kentucky Derby 2024.

Widelyregarded as the champion-in-waiting in the 2-year-old male division, Breeders’Cup Juvenile winner Fierceness was clocked at 39.9 seconds for histhree-furlong breeze at Palm Beach Downs. That was where Locked, third in the Juvenile,was timed at 37.9 seconds for the same distance. These were their first breezesfor trainer Todd Pletcher since they raced Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

Of the236 horses listed in Nevada futures for the Derby, 14 had workouts Tuesday andWednesday.

Wednesday

BonusMove (Twirling Candy) worked four furlongs in49.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 35 works at thedistance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at GulfstreamPark. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongson the main track at Aqueduct on Nov. 17 for trainer Mark Hennig.

Big Effect (The Big Beast) worked four furlongs in 49.6seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the 18th fastest of 35 works at thedistance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs atGulfstream Park. In his last start he placed third in the Juvenile Sprint going6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Nov. 11 for trainer EddiePlesa.

Tuscan Ruler (More Than Ready) worked three furlongs in38.4 seconds at Tampa Bay Downs. It was the fifth fastest of eight works at thedistance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Tampa BayDowns. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going sixfurlongs on the main track at Delaware Park on Sept. 22 for trainer Jerry Bennett.

Tuesday

Fierceness (City of Light) a Grade 1 winner (2023Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) worked three furlongs in 39.9 at Palm Beach Downs on Tuesday morning. Itwas the sixth fastest of 8 works at the distance. This was his first work sincehis last race. In his last start he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) going 11/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Locked (Gun Runner) a Grade 1 winner (2023 Breeders’Futurity) worked three furlongs in 37.9 seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was thesecond fastest of 8 works at the distance. This was his first work since hislast race. In his last start he placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for Pletcher.

Tireless (Not This Time) worked four furlongs in 49.2seconds at Palm Beach Downs. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. Thiswas his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in amaiden race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25for Pletcher.

Mischief Joke (Practical Joke) worked three furlongs in36.4 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fastest of four works at the distance.His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. Inhis last start he placed fifth in the Sleepy Hollow going one mile on the maintrack at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 29 for trainer Mike Maker.

Elysian Meadows (City of Light) worked three furlongs in37.9 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the second fastest of four works at thedistance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at BelmontPark. In his last start he won a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the maintrack at Aqueduct on Nov. 18 for trainer Bill Mott.

Gold Sweep (Speightstown) worked four furlongs in 53.2 secondsat Fair Grounds. It was the slowest of 24 works at the distance. This was hisfirst work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in theChampagne (G1) going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct.7 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Cowes (Outwork) worked four furlongs in 48.0 secondsat Fair Grounds. It was the second fastest of 24 works at the distance. Hisprevious work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In hislast start he placed fifth in the Bowman Mill going six furlongs on the maintrack at Keeneland on Oct. 28 for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Private Thoughts (Neolithic) worked four furlongs in 50.2seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the 17th fastest of 23 works at thedistance. His previous work was 19 days ago going four furlongs at GulfstreamPark. In his last start he placed fifth in the Juvenile Sprint going 6 1/2furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Nov. 11 for trainer Ron Spatz.

Lat Long (Liam’s Map) worked four furlongs in 48.6 secondsat Oaklawn. It was the fifth fastest of 47 works at the distance. His previouswork was seven days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placedsecond in a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downson Nov. 25 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Just Steel (Justify) worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Oaklawn.It was the fifth fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work waseight days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won the EdBrown going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25 fortrainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Last Call London (Stay Thirsty) worked four furlongs in 50.4 secondsat San Luis Rey Training Center. It was the slowest of two works at thedistance. His previous work was eight days ago going six furlongs at San LuisRey. In his last start he placed seventh in the Golden State Juvenile goingseven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 for trainer PeterMiller.