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A Look at Each of the Derby Entrants' Recent Works

Below you will find a collection of tweets and videos (or photos when I couldn't find video) from various sources from around the internet. At a minimum, we have had our eyes on the winner! These are presented in the order of points earned in Derby preps. This page may take a bit to load because of all the video, so stay patient. Enjoy!

By JP Fanshawe
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

This is Gun Runner breezing 4 furlongs in :50.40.https://t.co/oyhnrQdYjw

This is Nyquist's last work at Keeneland before shipping to Churchill.  I still don't know how I feel about Doug O'Neill's decision not to get the likely favorite a work over the Churchill Downs surface.

Exaggerator putting in a "stretching his legs" kind of work.  He's the only horse in the field to post a triple-digit speed figure more than twice.  (He has gone 101+ in each of his last four starts.)

Outwork looked like a happy horse during his April 29th work.  And although, many are discounting the Wood Memorial winner, he looks pretty fit and ready.

I'm already partial to Brody's Cause, because of a nephew named Brody, but aside from that, if I had to pick a horse right now to key in exotics, it would be this horse.

Creator put in what looked like a maintenance work, but I like that he was kept to the center of the track.  Hinting at the ride Asmussen might want?

Tempermental and mysterious Japanese import Lani has had an eventful visit to Churchill thus far...with gate crew rehearsals, and a couple of odd works, the last of which still wound up being the best of 18 that day.

Mor Spirit put in a fine work on May 2: second of 27 on the day.

Mohaymen certainly doesn't look comfortable at the beginning of this work, but he settles in and finishes well.  Any horse can have a bad race, and his poor Florida Derby has made many toss this one time Derby future favorite.  The right move?

I was unable to find any video of Danzing Candy's current works, and that is even after I figured out that he has an extra "z" in his name.  I had been searching for Danzig (like the hair metal band).  Still, I have to think his need-the-lead style will hinder him in this race.

I loved last year's winner of the Tamba Bay Derby, Carpe Diem.  I was wrong, but that doesn't prevent me from liking this year's winner of the Tampa Bay Derby, Destin.  He puts in a middling work here off a bullet last time, but he seems a smart, versatile horse.

If you are a fan of works in handicapping, you're likely a fan of SuddenBreakingNews.  Most were raving about his effort on 4/29.  However, there were seven faster efforts that day, and I wonder if he has enough speed.  One thing is for sure though: he is a legitimate closer in a race that will go fast.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey have yet to win a Derby.  Is Oscar Nominated, the upset winner of the Spiral, the horse to get the Ramseys the garland of roses?

Shagaf moves beautifully over the track, but is he fast enough?

I couldn't find any works video for Whitmore, but I find him intriguing because I believe the pace may suit. Trouble is, he always seems to find trouble, and a 20-horse field is hard to negotiate.

Tom's Ready ran a strong second in the Louisiana Derby, but that race also represents the best speed figure he's ever posted.  He looks sharp here, though: 3rd fastest of 53 horses in this session.

Thank goodness for Steve Byk, without whom we wouldn't have work video of a few of these horses.  My Man Sam looks like he is running in the very early morning.  This work looks middling, but that very well have been trainer Chad Brown's intention.

Very little in the way of photos and video of Majesto.  This is from the trainer's Twitter account.  If you are looking for a longshot, Majesto figures to be one.  He is running in the Derby just two starts removed from breaking his maiden.

Trojan Nation is another horse that seems off the radar, but he did work a bullet on April 29th...the best of 19 that session, and with the exception of his first start, he's never been out of the superfecta.  He's also never been to the winner's circle.

Last into the Derby field as it stands now is Mo Tom, who failed as the favorite in the Louisiana Derby.  He appears to have been training well, and if you check out his PP comments, he has had excuses in each of his last three races.