Updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just eight days away.

Weather watch: Wet weather rolling through the Louisville area has begun to become a major factor in the training schedules of Derby and Oaks contenders and could even affect the races themselves next weekend. Several showers Friday morning resulted in a muddy and sealed track during training hours. Thunderstorms are possible throughout the weekend, causing a few trainers to move crucial final works for their entrants. A muddy track is also likely for tomorrow afternoon’s Derby Trial, which could produce a starter for the Run for the Roses. The 10-day forecast at Weather.com calls for showers throughout the week in Louisville, meaning contenders could have their final works early next week over a muddy track. The system should clear up and turn to sun by Friday, Kentucky Oaks day. Derby Day is forecast to be partly cloudy with highs in the 70’s, with scattered storms returning on Sunday.

Playing in the mud: One horse who indicated he’ll have no trouble with a wet track was Florida Derby winner Ice Box, whose four furlong work in :46 2/5 was the best of 27 moves on the day. The son of Pulpit broke off in tandem with a workmate and turned in early fractions of :11 3/5, :22.4/5 and :34 4/5. He finished up four lengths in front and galloped out five furlongs in :59 3/5, just a tick off the fastest official workout of the day at that distance. Ice Box, trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, is coming into the Derby off a six-week layoff.

Another bullet: Blue Grass runner-up Paddy O’Prado also turned in a strong work on Friday, going five furlongs in :58 2/5, the best of 21 at the distance. The colt galloped out a mile in 1:41 2/5. Although signaling his affinity for the surface on Friday morning, Paddy O’Prado was off the board in his career debut on a muddy Churchill Downs track last spring. His best efforts have come on turf and synthetics.

Maker’s duo work: Blue Grass winner Stately Victor and Lane’s End winner Dean’s Kitten, both trained by Kentucky-based Mike Maker, turned in their final serious works Friday morning at Trackside. With storms expected over the weekend, Maker, who originally intended to work the duo Saturday, moved both works up a day. Stately Victor, going in company with stakes winner Kera’s Kitten, broke off through early fractions of :11, :22 2/5, :34 3/5 and :47 1/5, stopping the clock for six furlongs in 1:11 3/5, best on the day at the training center. He galloped out in 1:16 3/5. Dean’s Kitten, working in company with Oaks hopeful Age of Humor, turned in early splits of :11 1/5, :22 3/5, :35 3/5 and :47 4/5 before finishing his five-furlong work in 1:01 2/5. He galloped out in 1:17 3/5. Both colts will move to Churchill Downs on April 29, two days before the Derby. They will school in the paddock that afternoon and gallop April 30.

Status update: Trainer Ken McPeek told the Associated Press that the status of his Derby contender Noble’s Promise is still up in the air. The consistent colt, who turned in a bullet work earlier in the week, has been battling a lung issue following a poor performance in the Arkansas Derby. Noble’s Promise is scheduled for a final, crucial work Monday morning.

On the slate: Todd Pletcher’s seven potential starters – likely favorite Eskendereya, Rule, Discreetly Mine, Mission Impazible, Super Saver, Interactif and the filly Devil May Care – are all scheduled to work at some point this weekend, with exact times depending on the weather. Pletcher will decide following the works whether Interactif – whose best performances have come on turf and synthetic – will take a shot in the Derby and whether Devil May Care, winner of the Frizette and Bonnie Miss, will go in the Derby or Oaks. Also working Saturday will be Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney’s Candy. Scheduled for Sunday are Backtalk and Endorsement. Depending on the track conditions in Louisville, Backtalk’s work could instead be at Keeneland. Scheduled to work Monday are Bob Baffert’s duo of champion Lookin at Lucky and Conveyance, as well as Arkansas Derby winner Line of David.

Oaks watch: With the Kentucky Oaks now just a week away, several contenders turned in their final serious moves on Friday. Likely favorite Blind Luck breezed six furlongs in 1:14 4/5 at Hollywood Park. The Eclipse champion, winner of the Fantasy last out, is scheduled to ship to Kentucky tomorrow. Ashland winner Evening Jewel zipped five furlongs in :59 2/5 at Santa Anita, best of 27 at the distance. She’ll arrive at Churchill Downs on Tuesday. Ashland runner-up It’s Tea Time worked fuve furlongs in 1:02 at Keeneland on Friday and is scheduled to ship Sunday. Among those already at Churchill Downs, four turned in solid works on the muddy track Friday morning. Santa Anita Oaks winner Crisp went six furlongs in company in 1:14 3/5, best of seven on the day, and galloped out in 1:28 2/5. Fair Grounds Oaks winner Quiet Temper went five furlongs in 1:03 3/5 with jockey Robby Albarado aboard. Todd Pletcher’s Ailalea, winner of the Tempted, went a half mile in :48 flat and galloped out in 1:14. Silverbulletday and Tiffany Lass winner Jody Slew turned in a brisk move of :48 2/5, galloping out in 1:01 1/5. The consistent Joanie’s Catch is scheduled to work tomorrow and ship to Churchill Downs on Monday. Also working tomorrow will be contender Champagne d’Oro and scheduled to work Monday is Beautician.

Notes: Chip Woolley, trainer of last year’s Derby winner Mine That Bird, will be in town through the big race next weekend. He was on hand in Louisville for the re-opening of the Kentucky Derby Museum, which now displays the crutches Woolley used to get into the winners’ circle last year after breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident some months before. Mine That Bird, off since the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is jogging at co-owner Mark Allen’s ranch in New Mexico. Allen and co-owner Dr. Leonard Blach told the Daily Racing Form Friday that they would not confirm or deny reports that the gelding could be transferred away from Woolley. ... Rascal Flatts will perform the national anthem during the Derby Day card next Saturday. Churchill Downs has announced that it will also add a performance at the Kentucky Oaks the day before, with Little Big Town singing the anthem.