Brad Cox was one satisfied trainer Friday morning after his three Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders posted workouts at Churchill Downs two weeks before the Run for the Roses.
First out was Wathnan Racing’s Florida Derby (G1) winner Commandment, who breezed 5 furlongs in :59.60 seconds outside stablemate Direct Strike. Then it was Spendthrift Farm’s Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Further Ado, who worked 4 furlongs in :48.60, and finally St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Fulleffort, who went 5 furlongs in :59.20.
“It was a really good morning for all three horses,” Cox said. “Commandment is a steady workhorse and does anything you ask of him. He always seems to clip off 12-second furlongs without being asked.” Luis Saez, who will ride Commandment in the Derby, was aboard for the work.
Further Ado “looked great coming out of the Blue Grass. He had a solid half-mile with a really good gallop out on his own."
Fulleffort “seems to be progressing well on the dirt and had a good move with a nice horse in Chasten. He’s moved well over this racetrack since we got him back here.”
𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 🔥 is coming in HOT under the #TwinSpires at Churchill Downs
💨 5F in :59.60 this morning for @bradcoxracing…
Sharp. Fast. Right on time for the First Saturday in May.👀 Is this your Derby horse or just another flashy work? pic.twitter.com/2j5BhkVsqt
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 17, 2026
Amerman Racing’s Stark Contrast worked 5 furlongs in :59.80 with Flavien Prat aboard. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up is likely to run next in the American Turf (GI) on Derby Day, but he has not yet been ruled out of the Derby ... On Saturday, Albus and Right to Party, the 1-2 finishers in the Wood Memorial (G2) are scheduled for workouts.
Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Golden Tempo work 4 furlongs in a speedy :47.00 under jockey Jose Ortiz at Keeneland in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.
Working inside of debut maiden winner Not to Worry, Golden Tempo galloped out 5 furlongs in :59.40 and 6 furlongs in 1:12.
“It went really well and that was his last major work (before the May 2 Derby),” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “I will do something with him here next Friday and then go over to Churchill Downs Saturday morning.”
Since finishing third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds on March 21, Golden Tempo has now posted three workouts at Keeneland.
Ortiz has been aboard the colt for all four starts, including his career debut win and a victory in the Lecomte Stakes (G3).
“We obviously knew he was going to be better with distance (after winning his career debut at 6 furlongs),” Ortiz said. “Then he jumped to a stakes and won going longer ... I think his last race (the Louisiana Derby) was very, very good. He only got beat a length by Emerging Market, who just ran a really good race coming off of a maiden.”
Less than two weeks after winning the Santa Anita Derby (G2) and making the Kentucky Derby field, So Happy worked 5 furlongs in 59.60 with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard.
Trainer Mark Glatt said: “He worked straight and strong all the way through and galloped out well for him. It seems like all systems go right now.”
So Happy is scheduled to ship from Santa Anita to Kentucky on Tuesday.
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.
