Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just eight days away.

Reaching for it: Arkansas Derby winner Archarcharch turned in a sold work Friday morning, going five furlongs in :59.26 in the mud. With regular rider Jon Court aboard, the colt broke off a length behind a workmate, going through early splits of :11.41, :23.06 and :34.88. He was on even terms coming into the stretch and drew well clear down the line finishing in the world. He got his final quarter in :24.38 and galloped out in 1:12.80. The colt has improved as the week progressed, quickly adjusting to the Churchill Downs strip after appearing uncomfortable there earlier in the week.

Final work: Fountain of Youth winner Soldat, coming off a poor effort in the Florida Derby, went a half in :49 today at Palm Meadows in his final work for the Derby. There was no official clocker on hand at the nearly-deserted winter training center, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported the colt went in his first quarter in :25, the second in :24, and galloped out in 1:01.40, pulling up in 1:15.80. Soldat will fly to Louisville tomorrow, on the same flight as Florida Derby winner and likely Derby favorite Dialed In.

Taking it easy: Spiral runner-up Decisive Moment went an easy five furlongs in 1:01.46, changing leads several times down the stretch.

Dynamic duo: Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher's two Derby prospects, Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty, will work in company Sunday morning in their final serious breezes for the Run for the Roses. Stay Thirsty had originally been scheduled alone in the Sunday slot, but Pletcher chose to move Uncle Mo's work up a day after examining the weather forecast. The two colts both galloped Friday morning, with Uncle Mo continuing to visually impress as he drags his rider around the oval.

Busy day: With more rain forecast for Sunday, several Derby workers are likely to get their final works in on Saturday morning. Sunland Park Derby winner Twice The Appeal will have Derby rider Calvin Borel aboard for the first time in a serious work. Spiral winner Animal Kingdom's work will be especially telling, as the Derby would be his first start over a dirt track. Also expected to breeze are Pants On Fire, Mucho Macho Man, Shackleford and Watch Me Go.

Musical riders: Multiple Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Fame finalist Garrett Gomez has picked up the choicest remaining mount, as he'll pilot European hopeful Master of Hounds in the Derby. The colt is scheduled to leave his Irish base on Monday, arriving in Louisville on Tuesday. Surprisingly, three-time Derby winner and Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux is still without a mount.

Bubble watch: Trainer Eoin Harty will work Santa Anita Derby fourth-place finisher Anthony's Cross on Sunday morning at Hollywood as if the colt were running in the Derby. He's 21st on the graded earnings list, the first to get in if there's a defection. ... Santa Anita Derby third-place finisher Mr. Commons worked seven furlongs at Hollywood in 1:25.20, "just in case," said trainer John Shirreffs.

Oaks watch: The connections of Arienza and Delightful Mary have said they will skip the Oaks to seek other targets; both were unlikely to get in based on graded earnings anyway. Arienza, a daughter of Horse of the Year Azeri, is nominated to the Eight Belles Stakes on Derby Day. ... Bouquet Booth went an easy five furlongs in 1:02.20. ... Kathmanblu and Daisy Devine galloped.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just nine days away.

Favorite works: Likely Kentucky Derby favorite Dialed In, winner of the Florida Derby, turned in his final work at nearly-deserted Palm Meadows on Thursday morning. With regular rider Maxine Correa aboard, the son of Mineshaft went out with stakes winning stablemate Miner’s Escape, breaking off about a half length behind to start the work. The pair went through early splits of :12.09, :24.47 and :36.91. Dialed In motored down the stretch, opening up three on his workmate through a final furlong of :11.62 to finish in :48.53. He galloped out in 1:01.46 and pulled up six furlongs in 1:18.04. Dialed In is expected to ship to Churchill Downs on Saturday. Also on his flight will be Fountain of Youth winner Soldat, scheduled to work tomorrow.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 10 days away.

Musical riders: Calvin Borel, winner of three of the last four Derbies, has finally secured a mount, booking the spot aboard Sunland Park Derby winner Twice The Appeal. Ironically, Borel's second Derby winner, Mine That Bird, also came into Kentucky off the Sunland route. Borel's agent, Jerry Hissam, said that they turned down the chance to ride Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go earlier this week. With just 10 days remaining to the Derby, and few mounts still open, a number of leading riders could be left out. Hall of Famers Edgar Prado and Kent Desormeaux, both previous Derby winners, are without confirmed mounts, as are top riders Garret Gomez, Javier Castellano and Rafael Bejarano. The choicest mount still available would be European hopeful Master of Hounds.

Bubble watch: El Camino Real Derby Silver Medallion has been taken out of Derby consideration even if he gets in, says trainer Steve Asmussen, who wants to freshen the colt after two races in 14 days. Silver Medallion had been sitting 21st on the graded stakes earnings list. His defection moves Anthony's Cross, fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, into the bubble spot. The colt will work in California on Sunday.

Weather watch: A record amount of rain has fallen in Louisville in April, more than 11 inches. The area is expected to get a break tomorrow, with sunny skies Friday and into Saturday evening, when Churchill will hold its opening card. The early forecast calls for occasional rain during Derby week; the Kentucky Oaks, on Friday, could potentially be run in the slop, but hopefully, following two years of mud, the track will be fast come Derby time.

New voice: Monmouth Park announcer Larry Collmus will take over as the voice of the Triple Crown for NBC Sports.

Notes: Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire and third-place finisher Mucho Macho Man both went out for spirited gallops over the sloppy Churchill Downs track. ... Eclipse champion Uncle Mo ate up and was in good order following yesterday's work. ... Spiral runner-up Decisive Moment and Twice The Appeal are both expected to breeze Friday. … Entries for the Derby will close at 10 a.m. on May 4, a week from today, with the draw taking place at 5 p.m. that night.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 11 days away.

Audible: Eclipse champion Uncle Mo had been scheduled to turn in his first work since finishing third in the Wood Memorial during the Derby/Oaks reserved training period, at 8:30 a.m. However, after watching another storm bearing down on the Louisville area on the radar, trainer Todd Pletcher called an audible, sending the colt out as soon as the track opened at 5:45 a.m. Jockey Johnny Velazquez, who got into town after midnight thanks to a delayed flight, was informed of the change in plans at 4 a.m. Uncle Mo went out with graded winning stablemate Calibrachoa, breaking off slightly behind through early splits of :25.41 and :37.21. Into a moderate headwind in the stretch, he edged slightly ahead of Calibrachoa, with that one coming under some urging, finishing in 1:01.69. He quickly separated himself from Calibrachoa in the gallop out, clocking six furlongs in 1:15.56 with good energy. All in all, a solid return to the worktab.

Dark horse: Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude, who fired a bullet at his home track last week, turned in his first work at Churchill Tuesday morning, going six furlongs in 1:13.51. The colt was on even terms with graded winning stablemate Mythical Power cornering into the stretch but couldn't keep up, finishing well behind while getting his final quarter in :25.32 in a headwind.

Shaking off the blues: Beaten Blue Grass favorite Santiva went out for an easy maintenance work on Tuesday, ticking off splits of :12.76, :24.50 and :36.29 en route to a four furlong clocking of :49.22. The colt, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill last fall, galloped out in 1:03.22.

Bubble watch: The other big news on Tuesday were the defections, as The Factor and JP's Gusto were both declared out of the Derby. The Factor, who won the Rebel, finished poorly in the Arkansas Derby and later underwent minor throat surgery, prompting trainer bob Baffert to skip the Derby rather than push the speedy colt. He could well return in the Preakness, or sprint races in New York this spring. JP's Gusto, a multiple graded winner at 2, will point for a summer campaign in New York. Their defections allow Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford and Blue Grass runner-up Twinspired into the field. Next on the list to get in, in order, are Silver Medallion and Anthony's Cross.

Musical riders: Twinspired, the newest addition to the field, will have Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard for the Derby. Gotham winner Stay Thirsty will be reunited with NYRA leading rider Ramon Dominguez for the Run for the Roses. Calvin Borel, winner of three of the last four Derbies, worked the colt over the weekend, but is apparently still without a confirmed Derby mount.

Oaks watch: The bullet of the day belonged to Daisy Devine, who sizzled five furlongs in the slop in :59.59 in company, galloping out in 1:13.76. ... Sunland Oaks winner Plum Pretty went seven furlongs in 1:28.86, completing the breeze after tragedy struck. The filly's workmate, graded winner Gilded Gem, suffered a fatal breakdown in deep stretch.

Durkin steps down: Tom Durkin the voice of NYRA racing, has chosen not to renew his contract to call the three Triple Crown races for NBC Sports. Durkin, who cited stress as his reason, has called the races for NBC since 2001. Under contract with NYRA through 2015, he'll continue to call the Belmont for on-track patrons. NBC now has a week and a half to name Durkin's replacement, with obvious candidates being Trevor Denman, who calls the Breeders' Cup for national television, and popular Monmouth announcer Larry Collmus.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 12 days away.

Wiseguy horse works: Louisiana and Arkansas Derby runner-up Nehro, who is likely to draw plenty of support at the windows, had a maintenance work Monday morning, going a relaxed five furlongs in 1:02.81 over a sloppy Churchill strip. With rider Carlos Roses - who has galloped the likes of Curlin - aboard, the colt looked into the infield down the stretch but finished willingly, getting his final quarter in :24.87 and galloping out in 1:17.02.

California work: Santa Anita Derby runner-up Comma To The Top worked five furlongs at Hollywood in 1:02.40 with Derby jockey Pat Valenzuela aboard. He'll work again Sunday before flying to Kentucky next Tuesday.

Factoring it in: Trainer Bob Baffert was on hand as The Factor galloped for the first time since arriving at Churchill Downs. The colt, who was among the Derby favorites until a poor effort in the Arkansas Derby, flipped his palate in that race; Baffert said afterward the colt underwent a myectomy, a common and relatively minor throat surgery to correct the problem. A decision is expected to be forthcoming on the colt's Derby status.

Mo on the move: Eclipse champion Uncle Mo was a handful as he galloped a mile and a half a day in advance of his first serious work since losing the Wood Memorial.

Weather watch: Louisville has been soaked by nearly four inches of rain in the past four days, causing flooding along the banks of the Ohio River. A break isn't expected until Thursday, with some sun possible for Churchill's opening weekend.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 13 days away.

Bowing out: San Felipe runner-up Jaycito will miss the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed after much speculation of the sort. The colt, a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile, has been battling a foot bruise; he hasn't worked in three weeks and missed planned preps in the Santa Anita Derby and Lexington. The colt will now point for the Belmont, a race his wire, Victory Gallop, won in 1998. Jaycito's defection will allow Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go into the field; next on the list to get in is Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford.

Macho move: Working over a muddy track immediately after the break, Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man went a relaxed seven furlongs in 1:29.40. The move came under Rajiv Maragh, who has the mount in the Derby. He'll work five furlongs on Sunday in his final move before the Derby.

Cheers: Gotham winner Stay Thirsty, in company with older stakes winning stablemate Bridgetown, went five furlongs in :59.92 at Churchill Sunday morning. The Bernardini colt went in splits of :11.56, :23.22 and :35.06. After finishing about a neck in front of Bridgetown with some urging, he galloped out in 1:15.06. Three-time Derby winner Calvin Borel, who doesn't yet have a Derby mount, was aboard for the work; trainer Todd Pletcher, who partnered with Borel to win the Derby last year with Super Saver, says he hasn't officially selected a rider yet. Also available is Ramon Dominguez, who rode Stay Thirsty to the Gotham win.

Notes: Eclipse champion Uncle Mo galloped a mile and a half over the muddy track as he continues to prepare for Tuesday morning's breeze. ... Also galloping Sunday were juvenile graded winner Santiva, Spiral runner-up Decisive Moment and Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 14 days away.

You're out: The aptly-named Derby Kitten scored an upset victory in the Lexington Stakes on a rainy Saturday at Keeneland, effectively ending the Kentucky Derby hopes of favored Silver Medallion. It was the first graded stakes win for Derby Kitten, a Mike Maker trainee, whose only previous victory in eight starts came in a maiden claimer at Gulfstream in January. Silver Medallion, winner of the El Camino Real Derby earlier this year, entered the Lexington in hopes of earning his way into the Derby. But the colt finished fourth, picking up only $10,000 for his effort; his $194,334 graded bankroll leaves him 24th on the list.

Braving the rain: Despite heavy rain that pelted Louisville overnight and into the morning, Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford turned in his first local work, going handily in 1:00.20. With Saratoga native Tammy Fox up, the big colt went in splits of :12, :23.80, :35.60 and :47.80, galloping out in 1:14.

On fire: Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire went a relaxed five furlongs in 1:00.92 at his Palm Meadows training base, just over a week after zipping the same distance in :58 and change. The colt got his final quarter in :24.87. He was set to leave Palm Meadows on Saturday night bound for Louisville, and will have his final breeze next weekend at Churchill.

Wild time: Spiral Stakes winner Animal Kingdom has run into a bit of misfortune this week. The colt has never run on dirt, and trainer Graham Motion wanted to ship him from Keeneland to Churchill Downs earlier this week in order to fit in a pair of works over the strip. But the rainy weather caused him to keep the colt in Lexington on the all-weather track, rather than braving the mud and perhaps having his schedule disrupted. But Saturday's five furlong work at Keeneland didn't go as planned for the colt. Animal Kingdom broke off with a workmate and the pair went the first quarter in a ridiculously slow :30. Animal Kingdom left his struggling workmate to complete the final half mile in :50.40 for a clocking of 1:02.80. The colt will ship next Wednesday or Thursday to get his final work over the dirt on Saturday. Meanwhile, Motion's other hopeful, Wood winner Toby's Corner, will work at his Fair Hill training base on May 1 and ship the following day.

Musical jockeys: Patrick Valenzuela, winner of the 1989 Derby aboard Sunday Silence, will have his first mount in the race since 2006 when he pilots Santa Anita Derby runner-up Comma To The Top for trainer Peter Miller. Comma To The Top was left without a rider when regular jockey Corey Nakatani chose to pilot Nehro.

Oaks watch: Likely favorite R Heat Lightning breezed Saturday at Churchill, going :49.80 in the mud. She turned in splits of :12.40, :24.80 and :37.20 before galloping out in 1:03.40. The filly won the Davona Dale and Gulfstream Park Oaks this spring. ... Multiple stakes winner Kathmanblu, likely to be among the favorites, went five furlongs in 1:02.80 in company with older Grade 1 winning stablemate Noble's Promise. The filly went in :13.20, :25.40, :37.40 and :49.80, galloping out in 1:17.40. ... Motion's Summer Soiree went six furlongs in 1:10.80 at Keeneland and will ship to Churchill on Wednesday or Thursday.

Notes: Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go will arrive in Louisville Tuesday.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 15 days away.

Watch Mo go: Eclipse champion Uncle Mo galloped a mile and a quarter at Churchill Downs on Friday and will have his first work since finishing third in the Wood next Tuesday. The colt’s schedule was knocked off a few days because of treatment for a gastrointestinal tract infection detected following the Wood, but he’s still on course for two more works before the Derby. The colt won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last fall at Churchill Downs and is now bedded down in the same stall he used that week.

Last chance: Multiple stakes winner Silver Medallion is the favorite in a field of six for the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland today, one of the final graded stakes races remaining before the Derby. With the graded earnings cutoff this year hovering well over $200,000, the $120,000 winner’s purse won’t realistically be enough to push anyone but Silver Medallion into the field. The son of Badge of Silver is currently 24th on the list with $184,334. A victory would secure him a spot in the starting gate, placing him 15th on the list; a runner-up effort would move him to 22nd, meaning he would need help from others to make the field. Silver Medallion won the El Camino Real Derby over a synthetic track at Golden Gate in February, defeating, among others, Grade 1 winner Comma To The Top. But the colt was a lackluster fourth after tracking the pace in the Santa Anita Derby last time out. Silver Medallion is the only horse in the field to run with distinction in a graded stakes event. Taptowne raced with some success through Turfway Park’s prep series, finishing third in the WBEN Stakes and second in the Battaglia Memorial; however, he finished fifth when bumped up to graded company in the Spiral Stakes. The last horse to come out of the Lexington and win the Derby was Charismatic, who pulled off the double in 1999. Interestingly, Silver Medallion’s prep schedule nearly mirrors that of Charismatic; the eventual Horse of the Year was beaten just a head in the El Camino Real, finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, then won the Lexington, Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Musical jockeys: Three-time Derby winner Calvin Borel is scheduled to work Gotham winner Stay Thirsty for trainer Todd Pletcher on Sunday morning. Borel and Pletcher won the Derby together with Super Saver last year – however, the rider hasn’t committed to Stay Thirsty, and Ramon Dominguez, who rode the colt in the Gotham, is still available. Borel’s longtime agent, Jerry Hissam, said he will approach the connections of European hopeful Master of Hounds as well; no rider has been named on the colt, scheduled to ship in Derby week. Meanwhile, Shaun Bridgmohan will ride beaten Blue Grass favorite Santiva in the Derby. The colt is scheduled to have the first of two works on Tuesday.

Worktab watch: Spiral winner Animal Kingdom had been scheduled to work at Churchill Downs on Saturday, a move intended to shed some light on his status for the Derby, as the colt has never run on a dirt track before. However, thunderstorms expected in the Louisville area tomorrow have caused trainer Graham Motion to keep the colt at Keeneland to work on the synthetic surface there. Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man and Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford will both work Saturday at Churchill, while Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire will breeze at Palm Meadows.

Oaks watch: Fantasy runner-up Arienza, daughter of Horse of the Year Azeri, turned in her first work at Churchill Downs on Friday morning, going an easy half in :49 2/5. ... Likely favorite R Heat Lightning is scheduled to work on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Also likely appearing on the worktab will be multiple graded winner Kathmanblu.

Notes: Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude and Oaks contender Plum Pretty arrived together on a flight from California Friday afternoon. ... No decision has yet been made on whether multiple graded winner JP’s Gusto will start in the Derby. ... Sunland Derby winner Twice The Appeal breezed six furlongs in 1:17.20 Friday in his first move at Churchill Downs. ... The special Derby and Oaks training hours begin tomorrow morning from 8:30-8:45 a.m.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 16 days away.

Soldat sizzles: Fountain of Youth winner Soldat zipped five furlongs in :59.07 Thursday morning at Palm Meadows in his penultimate work before the Kentucky Derby, galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.76. The colt, looking to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the Florida Derby, will work again April 29 before shipping to Churchill Downs. Alan Garcia is booked to ride in the Derby.

Factoring it in...or out: Rebel winner The Factor could skip the Kentucky Derby off his seventh-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. Owner George Bolton said Thursday that trainer Bob Baffert will have the final say and he “doubts Bob runs him.”

Musical riders: Corey Nakatani has chosen to pilot Louisiana and Arkansas Derby runner-up Nehro in the Kentucky Derby, picking the colt as his best prospect over Santa Anita Derby runner-up Comma To The Top.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 17 days away.

In and out: El Camino Real Derby Silver Medallion was among the six 3-year-olds entered to run in Saturday’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, as he’ll take one last crack at picking up the graded earnings needed to get into the Kentucky Derby. However, one of his rivals won’t be Grade 1 winner Jaycito. The son of Victory Gallop is still struggling with the bruised foot that forced him to scratch from the Santa Anita Derby two weeks ago and won’t be ready to compete this weekend. Trainer Bob Baffert says he would still consider the Kentucky Derby if the foot heals in time – but Jaycito would be attempting the Herculean task of winning off just one prep this year, that being a runner-up effort behind Premier Pegasus in the San Felipe last month.

Happier news: Baffert’s other Derby contender, Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude, turned in his first work since scoring that win Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. The son of War Chant zipped a bullet five furlongs in :59.20.

There he goes: Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go breezed five furlongs in 1:02.60 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Oaks watch: Multiple stakes winner Kathmanblu vanned to Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Wednesday. The filly, coming off a runner-up effort in the Ashland, won the Golden Rod last fall at Churchill. … Fantasy runner-up Arienza, daughter of Horse of the Year Azeri, arrived from Oaklawn on Wednesday morning.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 18 days away.

Trouble afoot: San Felipe runner-up Jaycito is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. The colt has been battling a bruised foot that already forced him to miss the Santa Anita Derby two weeks ago. His only start this year came on March 12 — meaning if he misses his final prep, he would head to the Derby off an eight-week layoff — and he hasn’t worked since April 2. A final decision is expected tomorrow from trainer Bob Baffert. Jaycito had been scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Tuesday, but his travel plans have been delayed until at least Tuesday.

In he goes: Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go, who had been on the fence, will indeed run in the Kentucky Derby, says trainer Kathleen O’Connell. The homebred son of West Acre finished sixth last out in the Illinois Derby, causing his connections to have doubts about sending him to Kentucky, but he’s bounced back well in his training. The colt will work at Tampa either tomorrow or Thursday before vanning to Kentucky for one last work.

Florida trio: Kentucky Derby prospects Dialed In, Soldat and Pants On Fire all appeared on the track galloping Tuesday morning at Palm Meadows. Soldat, winner of the Fountain of Youth, is set to breeze Thursday and Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire will work Saturday. The two will share a flight to Louisville together on April 30. Florida Derby winner dialed In will breeze late next week.

Oaks watch: Fantasy winner Joyful Victory vanned from Oaklawn Park with trainer Larry Jones and arrived at Churchill in the late afternoon. Jones trained 2008 Oaks winner Proud Spell and Derby runner-ups Hard Spun and Eight Belles.

Notes: Trainer Peter Miller plans to put Santa Anita Derby runner-up Comma To The Top on a Tuesday flight to Kentucky. … Another horse who appears to be on the fence is multiple stakes winner JP’s Gusto; the colt is convalescing on a farm in Kentucky, but his connections will make a final decision later this week on if they’ll van him back to Churchill Downs to run after all. … Thanks to the uncertainty surrounding Jaycito, Santa Anita Derby also-ran Anthony’s Cross is back in consideration for the race if he can get in; he’ll likely fall short of the earnings cutoff.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 19 days away.

Mo in town: Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo arrived back at the scene of his greatest triumph in one piece - but not without some drama. The colt left New York on a Tex Sutton charter flight that was scheduled to land in Louisville at about 9 a.m. However, a warning light came on on the plane shortly into the trip. The pilot made an unscheduled stop at Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C., where the aircraft was examined and the light was found to be a false alarm. The plane departed from Dulles and landed in Louisville at 11:10 a.m.; Uncle Mo was at Churchill Downs by noon. Also on the flight was Todd Pletcher's Gulfstream Oaks winner R Heat Lightning, the likely favorite for the Kentucky Oaks.

Macho too: Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man's van trip from Florida went so smoothly that the colt was in Louisville several hours before schedule. His van pulled into the stable area at Churchill Downs at 2:30 a.m.

More arrivals: Sunland Park Derby winner Twice The Appeal will board a plane in California tomorrow morning bound for Kentucky. The plane will stop in Arkansas to pick up Louisiana and Arkansas Derby runner-up Nehro and Arkansas Derby also-rans Sway Away and Brethren - the latter two unlikely to make the Derby field. Also boarding the plane will be Southwest runner-up JP's Gusto, although it appears that colt will pass on the Derby. After the plane lands in Louisville, he'll continue on to Lexington to catch a van for New York.

Last attempt: El Camino Real Derby winner Silver Medallion worked a half in :51.40 at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he'll run the colt, currently 24th on the graded earnings list, in the Lexington on Saturday at Keeneland in a last attempt to earn his way into the Derby field. With the graded earnings cutoff hovering around $240,000 this year, the winner's purse of the Lexington wouldn't bump anyone but Silver Medallion or Jaycito into the Derby field.

Not in the stars: Asmussen also said Monday that Iroquois winner Astrology, runner-up in the Sunland Park Derby, will pass on the Kentucky Derby off just one start this year. The colt will run in the Jerome at Aqueduct on Saturday.

From across the pond: UAE Derby runner-up Master of Hounds will make the trip from Ballydole in Ireland to start in the Kentucky Derby. According to Churchill Downs officials, the colt is scheduled to arrive May 3. This will be the second trip across the pond for the son of Kingmambo, who ran unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Aidan O'Brien trains the colt for Coolmore; a rider hasn't yet been named.

Animal house: Spiral winner Animal Kingdom will breeze under Robby Albarado at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. Trainer Graham Motion says the drill over dirt will determine if the colt starts in the Kentucky Derby.

Bubble watch: The defections of Astrology and JP's Gusto move Santiva, the beaten favorite in the Blue Grass, and Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go back into the main body of the field. However, Watch Me Go is on the fence pending his upcoming works. Should Animal Kingdom, Watch Me Go, or any others come out of the field, the next horses to get in, in order, would be Shackleford, Twinspired, Silver Medallion, Blue Laser, Flashpoint, Mr. Commons and Sway Away.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 20 days away.

Moving on: Arkansas Derby winner Archarcharch emerged from his victory in good shape. Tentative plans released by trainer Jinks Fires call for the colt to ship out of Oaklawn on Monday evening, meaning he would arrive at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning. Trainer Steve Asmussen reported that runner-up Nehro also appeared in good order Sunday; the colt will fly to Kentucky Tuesday morning.

Speed staying put: Trainer Tom Albertrani says Blue Grass winner Brilliant Speed emerged from his effort sound. The colt will remain at Keeneland until about a week before the Derby, shipping to Louisville in time for one work at Churchill. Brilliant Speed is attempting to win his first race on dirt in the Derby.

Here comes Mo: Wood Memorial third-place finisher Uncle Mo is due to return to Churchill Downs - site of his victory in last fall's Breeder's Cup Juvenile - tomorrow morning. The colt is due in at 9:30 a.m. on a charter flight from New York; stablemate R Heat Lightning, likely to be favored in the Kentucky Oaks, will accompany him.

More arrivals: Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man safely boarded his van at Gulfstream Park on Sunday and was en route to Kentucky. He's expected to arrive at Churchill at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The works: Gotham winner Stay Thirsty, looking to rebound from a poor effort in the Florida Derby, worked four furlongs in company in :48 flat at Churchill Downs Sunday morning, second best of 30 at the distance. The bullet of the day belonged to Spiral runner-up Decisive Moment, who went in :47.40. Meanwhile, up the road at Keeneland, Spiral winner Animal Kingdom blitzed five furlongs in :59.20.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 21 days away.

Chaos continues: Longshots won the final two Grade 1 Kentucky Derby prep races on Saturday, keeping the Run for the Roses wide open. In the Arkansas Derby, it was Archarcharch who scored the victory, making a strong move in midstretch and holding off the hard-charging Nehro. The son of Arch was sent off as a 25-1 shot despite his solid record at Oaklawn this winter; he won the Sugar Bowl and Southwest, then finished third in the Rebel. The latter race was won by The Factor, who was sent off as a heavy favorite in the Arkansas Derby, with a chance to cement his credentials moving on to Kentucky. But the colt appeared rank early when he didn't make the lead and faded badly down the lane to finish seventh. The Factor's loss, coupled with Uncle Mo's loss in the Wood Memorial last week, means that Florida Derby winner Dialed In will likely be a lukewarm Derby favorite - although Nehro, who was also a closing second in the Louisiana Derby, is likely to take some wide-guy action. Meanwhile in Kentucky, Brilliant Speed closed furiously from last to first to nail Twinspired on the wire in the Blue Grass Stakes. The son of Dynaformer, trained by Tom Albertrani, will be looking for his first victory on dirt in the Kentucky Derby. Favored Santiva was never in the mix and finished ninth, putting his Derby status in doubt, as he failed to move up the graded earnings list.

Feeling good: Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man zipped seven furlongs in 1:23.66 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. Going in a light rain, the colt ticked off fractions of :11.98, :34.98, :46.33, :58 and 1:10.66 despite going wide into the stretch. He galloped out in 1:38.70. The colt is scheduled to leave his Florida training base for Kentucky tomorrow.

Making plans: Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin detailed the schedule for Fountain of Youth winner Soldat on Saturday. The colt, who is based at Palm Meadows, will breeze on April 21 and April 29. He will ship to Churchill Downs on April 30 and gallop into the race. The colt is attempting to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the Florida Derby.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 22 days away.

Fire alarm: Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire sizzled five furlongs in :58.60 at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning, his first work since his big upset victory. With exercise rider Juan Pizarro aboard, the colt went his final quarter in :24 flat before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.80 in a move completed shortly after a renovation break. Pants On Fire will works again on Saturday, April 23 before shipping to Kentucky the following day, Easter Sunday.

New arrivals: With the Derby drawing closer, more contenders are making their travel plans. Risen Star winner Mucho Macho Man, most recently third in the Louisiana Derby, is scheduled to breeze Saturday morning at Gulfstream. The colt will board his van to Kentucky the following day and is set to arrive at Churchill on Monday morning. Meanwhile Jaycito, forced out of last week's Santa Anita Derby with a hoof abscess, will also arrive at Churchill on Monday. But he'll be making a side trip, vanning the 75 miles to run in the Lexington at Keeneland on April 23. He could face Silver Medallion, still on the Derby bubble after finishing fourth in the Santa Anita Derby.

Decision time: Trainer Kathleen O'Connell says she's on the fence about whether to run Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go in the Kentucky Derby. The colt was sixth in last Saturday's Illinois Derby. A final decision will likely be made after the results of this weekend's prep races.

Oaks watch: Trainer Larry Jones, who won the 2008 Oaks with Proud Spell, will ship Fantasy winner Joyful Victory to Churchill Downs on Tuesday. The gray filly is set to arrive around noon.

Notes: Eclipse champion Uncle Mo galloped at Belmont ... Santa Anita third-place finisher Mr. Commons, who likely won't have the graded earnings to make the Derby, could be headed to the Preakness. ... Spiral Stakes runner-up Decisive Moment will have his first breeze over the Churchill track on Sunday morning. ... Special Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks training hours will begin on Saturday, April 23 at Churchill. From 8:30 to 8:45 a.m., only Derby and Oaks contenders and their workmates will be allowed on the track; horses must wear a special saddle towel to be admitted onto the track. Derby and Oaks horses are not required to train at that time.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 23 days away.

Mo's reason: Eclipse Award winner Uncle Mo was suffering from a gastrointestinal tract infection when he suffered his first defeat in last Saturday's Wood Memorial. Following his perplexing third-place finish, the colt underwent a battery of tests, which trainer Todd Pletcher said are routine for horses in his barn who don't perform up to expectations. The results, released Thursday morning, revealed the infection. The colt is able to continue training while the infection is being treated and jogged a lap around Belmont's track on Thursday morning. Pletcher says the colt is still scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday morning and will have two works there before the May 7 Derby. Owner Mike Repole says if the colt isn't 100 percent, they'll skip the Derby and head straight to the Preakness.

Notes: San Felipe winner Premier Pegasus, who was favored for the Santa Anita Derby but forced to scratch because of a hairline fracture, will remain at trainer Myung Kwon Cho's barn at Santa Anita for two months before having his injured foreleg reevaluated. After that, he could go to a local farm to continue rehabilitation before resuming serious training in September.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 24 days away.

Back on track: Champion Uncle Mo returned to the racetrack on Wednesday, jogging once around a wet Belmont training track. Trainer Todd Pletcher said it was routine for the colt, who suffered his first career defeat in Saturday’s Wood Memorial. Results of a physical exam to see if there was an internal reason for the loss are expected back tomorrow.

Blue Grass draw: Kentucky Jockey Club winner Santiva drew post 3 in a field of 12 and was installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland. Santiva finished second over this track in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity last fall before moving on to win the Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. The colt worked Saturday in Florida before arriving in Kentucky Sunday. Julien Leparoux has the mount. The second choice for the Blue Grass is King Congie, followed by Brilliant Speed and Wilkinson. Willcox Inn finished third in the Breeders’ Futurity last fall. Pletcher entered three horses: Sensational Slam, Praetereo, and Queen’splatekitten. Joes Blazing Aaron and Twinspired are both trained by Mike Maker, who won this race last year. One notable absentee is Swift Warrior, winner of the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway last out. The First Samurai colt suffered a condylar fracture of the right foreleg following a Wednesday workout at Keeneland.

Arkansas draw: Oaklawn drew a bulky field of 13 for Saturday’s Arkansas Derby, headed by The Factor, who could become the Kentucky Derby favorite with a victory. The runaway winner of the Rebel was installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite at Oaklawn and will break from post 3 under Martin Garcia. The field also includes Louisiana Derby runner-up Nehro, Southwest winner Archarcharch, Sam F. Davis winner and Tampa Bay Derby third-place finisher Brethren, Southwest runner-up JP’s Gusto, Southwest third-place finisher Elite Alex, Smarty Jones winner and Rebel runner-up Caleb’s Posse and San Vicinte runner-up Sway Away. Five in the field are adding blinkers: Brethren, Elite Alex, J P’s Gusto, J W Blue, and Sway Away.

Not in the stars: Sunland Park Derby runner-up Astrology was not among the entries for the Arkansas Derby or the Northern Spur on the undercard. The son of AP Indy will either attempt to make the leap into the Kentucky Derby off just one prep – or will bypass the race for the Preakness, by way of the Derby Trial. His connections will wait until he works at Churchill Downs to decide.

Notes: Santa Anita Derby 1-2 finishers Midnight Interlude and Comma to the Top have both resumed training. … Wood Memorial runner-up Arthur’s Tale, who was unlikely to get in anyway based on graded earnings, will be forced to miss the Derby with a popped splint. Trainer Tom Albertrani hopes to have the colt ready for the Belmont on June 11.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 25 days away.

Testing 1-2-3: In the wake of his stunning defeat as the 1-9 favorite in the Wood Memorial, champion Uncle Mo underwent a battery of tests at Belmont on Tuesday. The results of the tests – which trainer Todd Pletcher said are completely routine for a horse in his barn that suffers a puzzling defeat – will be available Thursday. A press release from his connections said Uncle Mo was “completely sound.” The tests includes blood work, ultrasound of the internal organs, and stomach scoping.” The colt is expected back on the track tomorrow morning and will ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

Dial tones: Florida Derby winner Dialed In breezed an easy half in :49.90 at Palm Meadows with regular exercise rider Maxine Correa up. Trainer Nick Zito says the son of Mineshaft will have one more five furlong work before the Kentucky Derby – a similar pattern to how he trained the colt up to the Florida Derby. Dialed In will remain at Palm Meadows until early May.

Factor in: Arkansas Derby favorite The Factor arrived at Oaklawn Tuesday morning after taking a Tex Sutton charter flight out of Southern California. The colt is returning to Oaklawn after winning last month’s Rebel by more than six lengths. Martin Garcia has the mount.

Challenger: Southwest winner Archarcharch breezed a half in :50.80 after the renovation break at Oaklawn, going in hand under regular rider Jon Court. The Oaklawn clocker timed the colt galloping out five furlongs in 1:03.80. Archarcharch was third to The Factor in the Rebel, and will try him again in the Arkansas Derby.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 26 days away.

Back on track: Norfolk winner Jaycito, who was forced to scratch from Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby because of a hoof abscess, resumed training on Monday morning and is on course to start in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 23. Jaycito finished a closing second in the San Felipe last month, his only start of the year and his first for trainer Bob Baffert.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 27 days away.

The aftermath: Beaten Wood favorite Uncle Mo appeared sound and physically healthy on Sunday, a day after suffering his first career defeat. The quarter he grabbed at the start of the race doesn’t appear to be a serious problem. Trainer Todd Pletcher said the colt will have blood work done on Tuesday to determine if any internal problems contributed to Saturday’s result; Pletcher said the tests are routine for any horse in his barn that doesn’t perform up to expectations.

Toby tuckered out: Trainer Graham Motion said that Wood winner Toby’s Corner was sound but tiring following his hard-charging win on Saturday. "He’s been laying down all morning," Motion said. Toby’s Corner, a son of 2005 Wood winner Bellamy Road, will return to Motion’s training base at Fair Hill in Maryland. The colt will work once between now and the Derby, with that work coming on Fair Hill’s Tapeta training track a week out from the big race.

Moving on: A few days ago, Midnight Interlude and Comma To The Top weren’t under Derby consideration. But now, the 1-2 finishers in the Santa Anita Derby are moving on to Kentucky. Midnight Interlude, in just his fourth career start, gave trainer Bob Baffert a nice consolation win after he was forced to scratch favored Jaycito. The colt, who broke his maiden in his previous start, will have to overcome the hurdle of running in the Kentucky Derby without having started as a 2-year-old. Comma To The Top wasn’t under Derby consideration because trainer Peter Miller was concerned about his distance limitations; but after a game second on Saturday, Miller says the connections will reconsider, with a final decision coming early Derby week.

All systems go: Rebel winner The Factor, who could inherit Derby favoritism with a victory in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby, completed his preparations for that race by easily going six furlongs in 1:12.20 at Santa Anita on Sunday. Under jockey Martin Garcia, he galloped out a mile in 1:38.20.

Oaks watch: Fox Hill Farm’s Joyful Victory stamped her ticket to the Oaks with a runaway score in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn. Arienza, a daughter of Horse of the Year Azeri, suffered her first defeat in three starts, checking in second. She likely won’t have the graded earnings to move on to the Oaks. … A full sister to Ashland winner Lilacs and Lace was foaled just fours after her big sister upset the Grade 1 event.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 28 days away.

Mo-mentum stopped: Early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo suffered his first career defeat, finishing third behind Toby’s Corner and Arthur’s Tale in the Wood Memorial to throw this Derby wide open. Uncle Mo grabbed a quarter at the start but recovered quickly to set the pace; after bouncing through a first quarter in :23.49, he relaxed through the half in :47.98, and to the untrained eye, appeared home free while leading around the far turn. But the colt failed to accelerate away from the pack and had no response when confronted. Toby’s Corner, who ran near the back of the pack early, came home smartly, splitting rivals gamely to best Arthur’s Tale by a neck. The son of 2005 Wood winner Bellamy Road capped a solid winter at Aqueduct; the lanky colt won the Whirlaway in the slop and was third behind Stay Thirsty in the Gotham. His career record is now 6-4-0-2.

Midnight bandit: Although Bob Baffert was forced to scratch favored Jaycito from the Santa Anita Derby, he still came up with a nice consolation prize, as Midnight Interlude edged Grade 1 winner Comma To The Top for the win. Midnight Interlude, a strapping son of War Chat who broke his maiden in his third try last time out, sat fours as Comma To The Top led through brisk early fractions (:22.81, :47.33, 1:11.53). The colt came four wide into the stretch and was up by a head at the wire. Comma To The Top gamely held second, another 2 ¼ lengths clear of Mr. Commons in third.

Go Joe: Despite the disappointing loss with Uncle Mo, Pletcher did take the Illinois Derby with the previously unheralded Joe Vann. The colt, based out of Laurel, was winning his third straight race after taking a maiden and an optional event. However, with the winner’s purse for the Illinois Derby $167,400, and the graded earnings cutoff likely to be well in excess of $200,000 this year, it’s unlikely Joe Vann earned his way into the Kentucky Derby with this win. Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go finished sixth as the favorite.

Oaks watch: Longshot Lilacs and Lace said catch me if you can in Saturday’s Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, leading wire to wire to post the $99.40 upset. The daughter of Flower Alley won the California Oaks earlier this year. Wyomia was second, favored Kathmanblu was third in her first try on a synthetic track, and second choice Dancinginherdreams was rank and faded to last.

Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 29 days away.

Watch Mo go: Juvenile champion and Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo will start as the red-hot favorite against nine rivals in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The colt has been pointing for this final prep race in owner Mike Repole’s hometown since winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November. Uncle Mo is no stranger to New York racing fans. He broke his maiden by 14¼ lengths on the Travers undercard at Saratoga last August, then scored a handy victory in the Champagne. He parlayed his success in New York into success in Kentucky, as he dominated the Juvenile at Churchill Downs - the track the Derby will be run over four weeks from today. In his first start of the year, Uncle Mo coasted to a victory in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream, a race that was created specifically to lure him. The son of Indian Charlie - who has won his four starts by a combined 27 lengths - isn’t likely to find much competition today, either. Of his nine rivals, only two are previous stakes winners - neither in a graded event. Three horses in the field have only a maiden victory to their credit. The combined earnings of the other nine runners are $589,248. Uncle Mo has earned $1,336,000. Toby’s Corner, a son of 2005 Wood winner Bellamy Road, won three straight races this winter, culminating with a victory in the slop in the Whirlaway at Aqueduct on Feb. 5. But he was a well-beaten third in the Grade 3 Gotham on March 5 behind Uncle Mo’s stablemate Stay Thirsty. With the potential for rain in the New York area today, Toby’s Corner could get his wet track again. Also returning in the Wood is Gotham runner-up Norman Asbjornson.

Favorite out, again: The Santa Anita Derby, which took a hit on Thursday with the scratch of morning-line favorite Premier Pegasus, lost another top contender in Jaycito on Friday. Trainer Bob Baffert scratched the colt, who had inherited favoritism, on Friday afternoon because of an abscessed hoof. The San Felipe runner-up is now likely to make his final prep in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, just two weeks before the Kentucky Derby. With Jaycito now out, the favorite’s role will fall to Silver Medallion, winner of the El Camino Real Derby last time out. But the colt, to be ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Steve Asmussen, is making his first start on dirt.

Another on the sidelines: Nashua and Remsen winner To Honor And Serve, most recently third in the Florida Derby, will miss the Triple Crown series with a strained suspensory ligament. It's undetermined if the injury occured in the Florida Derby, but trainer Bill Mott says he wasn't happy with how the colt was moving shortly after arriving back at his Payson Park training base. An ultrasound revealed the damage. The injury is not career-threatening; To Honor And Serve will be hand-walked for several weeks before being re-evaluated.

Two in a row?: Former claimer Watch Me Go, upset winner of the Tampa Bay Derby last month, will get a chance to prove it wasn’t a fluke when he starts as the morning line favorite against 11 rivals in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. This year's field is wide open; there are several maidens who will contest the event.

In the OR: San Felipe winner Premier Pegasus was scheduled to undergo surgery on a hairline fracture to his left from cannon bone Friday at Santa Anita’s backstretch hospital. The colt suffered the injury during a routine gallop Thursday morning.

With just one month left to go until the Kentucky Derby, it's as good a time as any to launch the Daily Derby Dose. Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses approaches.

Favorite out: Morning line favorite Premier Pegasus was scratched from Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby after suffering a hairline fracture to his left foreleg. The San Felipe winner stumbled slightly during a routine gallop over Santa Anita’s training track Thursday morning. He returned to the barn under his own power and, although he initially appeared fine, the trouble surfaced as he was cooling out from the work. X-rays taken at the barn revealed the fracture to the left foreleg. This type of injury is generally not considered to be career-threatening, but the colt is expected to miss several months of training. It’s a blow for owner-trainer Myong Kwon Cho, who has only six horses in his barn. The scratch of the favorite still leaves a field of 10 for the Santa Anita Derby. Favoritism is expected to fall to Jaycito, who was the second choice on the morning line. Winner of the Norfolk last fall, the colt was second behind Premier Pegasus in the San Felipe in his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Silver Medallion, winner of the El Camino Real Derby, will look to punch his ticket to Kentucky in his first start on dirt.

Three for the show: Gotham winner Stay Thirsty, a maiden winner at Saratoga last summer, is among the first Kentucky Derby hopefuls to arrive at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old son of Bernardini, who will press on to the Derby despite a disappointing seventh-place finish in last Sunday’s Florida Derby while wearing blinkers, arrived in Kentucky on a flight from Florida Thursday morning. He was the third Derby hopeful to arrive at Churchill Downs, joining Spiral Stakes runner-up Decisive Moment, who arrived last week, and Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford, who flew in Wednesday night.

Oaks watch: Gulfstream Park Oaks winner R Heat Lightning has settled in at Belmont for trainer Todd Pletcher. She’s expected to remain in New York until shortly before the Oaks, which she’ll likely be among the favorites for.