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.