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.