Unbeaten Forever Young put in a leisurely 6-furlong workout Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs with regular jockey Ryusei Sakai aboard.
The Japan-bred UAE Derby winner was timed in 1:19.60 over a fast track, working the final 4 furlongs in company with an unraced 3-year-old, Cuffed Candy, trained by Dale Romans.
“Thanks to Dale Romans (with providing the workmate) so we were able to do exactly what we want to do this far out (from the Derby),” Sakai said through a translator.
FOREVER YOUNG was under the #TwinSpires galloping this morning with jockey Ryusei Sakai.#フォーエバーヤング pic.twitter.com/HGAjrSi8ug
— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 23, 2024
Plans call for a work next week as a final tune-up before the May 4 Derby. Sakai will not be aboard for the work. He is traveling back to Japan to ride this weekend and will return next week for the Derby.
Forever Young, T O Password, Japan’s other Derby contender, are the two unbeaten horses entering the Derby. T O Password is 2-for-2.
Sakai missed out on riding in last year’s Derby when Japan’s Continuar was scratched days before the race.
Whit Beckman, who trains Louisiana Derby runner-up Honor Marie, said he was “cool, calm, and relaxed” Wednesday while watching his colt train at Churchill Downs.
Beckman, a former assistant for Eion Harty, Chad Brown, and Todd Pletcher, went out on his own in 2022. Honor Marie will be his first Derby starter.
“I don’t really get nervous when I run a horse in a race I think they can win,” Beckman said. “It’s a weird feeling but right now I don’t feel too nervous.”
Honor Marie has two victories in five starts – one of them last year at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Jockey Club.
Tentative field for Kentucky Oaks (jockey, trainer)
Everland (Abel Cedillo, Eric Foster); Fiona’s Magic (TBA, Bo Yates); Gin Gin (TBA, Brad Cox); Into Champagne (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes); Just F Y I (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott); Lemon Muffin (Keith Asmussen, Wayne Lukas); Leslie’s Rose (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Power Squeeze (Daniel Centeno, Jorge Delgado); Regulatory Risk (Jose Ortiz, Chad Brown); Tapit Jenallie (Manny Esquivel, Eddie Milligan); Tarifa (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox); Thorpedo Anna (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Ways and Means (Tyler Gaffalione, Chad Brown) and Where’s My Ring (Jose Lezcano, Val Brinkerhoff).
Also-eligible: Manama Gold (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Our Pretty Woman (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen); Candied (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
