Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Like the King turned in his final serious work for the Derby on Saturday morning at his Keeneland home base.

The colt, under regular work rider Julio Garcia, broke off two lengths behind stablemate Artie’s Princess, who earlier this month was named Canada’s champion female sprinter of 2020. Like the King collared his workmate easily in the stretch and was edging clear at the wire as Keeneland clockers credited him with five furlongs in 1:01. The duo galloped out in 1:15.40.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - While trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with what he saw from all four of his 3-year-olds Friday morning when they put in their final workouts at Churchill Downs for the May 1 Kentucky Derby, there was one move in particular that seemed to stand out.

Hozier was declared out of the Kentucky Derby as the field continues to shift with one week remaining before the May 1 classic. 

Hozier, who is trained by Bob Baffert for the multi-pronged partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson, had been second in the Rebel Stakes, but sixth in the Arkansas Derby. He had worked six furlongs in "lackluster" fashion on Friday morning at Churchill Downs, in the eyes of Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch. 

The Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity trials will have nine divisions at Los Alamitos on Sunday, and will be held without one of the track’s top Quarter Horse jockeys.

Oscar Andrade, Jr., 19, has relocated to Ruidoso Downs for the summer. Through the April 25 program, Andrade was tied for fifth in the standings with 8 wins since the season began on Dec. 26. At the 2020 meeting, Andrade was second in the standings behind Jesus Rios Ayala.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Vic Stauffer will be wrapping up his fifth season as the Oaklawn Park announcer on Saturday and his downtime from the mike will be jam-packed.

It gets under way the day after the meet, when Stauffer and his wife, Tina, are scheduled to move into their new home in Hot Springs.

“We not only bought a house, we bought some land and are building a house,” Vic Stauffer said. “So, we have fallen in love with Hot Springs and Arkansas.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In what’s shaping up to be an extremely competitive renewal of the Kentucky Oaks next Friday at Churchill Downs, jockey Florent Geroux is hoping Travel Column’s versatility can make the difference in the marquee race for 3-year-old fillies.

Knicks Go breezed a half-mile in 48.20 seconds Friday morning at Churchill Downs, his third work since returning to the U.S. following a fourth-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 20.

Trainer Brad Cox said he is pointing Knicks Go to the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park on May 31.

“It’s a two-turn mile,” Cox said. “It makes sense as far as bringing him back.”

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson acknowledged Friday that a COVID-19 outbreak among workers in Barn 33 at Woodbine has led to the horses being shipped out of that barn temporarily. 

“We closed one barn, and all of the personnel in that barn are now quarantining,” Lawson said. “There are other barns that have had positive ‘Covids’ in them. We’re stepping up and taking measures as it relates to those barns.”

As recently as last weekend, Cathkin Peak was considered a candidate for Saturday’s $100,000 Singletary Stakes at Santa Anita. A training setback ended those plans and has led trainer Phil D’Amato to point Cathkin Peak to the Del Mar summer meeting.

“He has a minor issue,” D’Amato said Friday, without elaboration.

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Santa Anita officials expect an ontrack crowd of approximately 8,000 for the Kentucky Derby simulcast on May 1 and are urging customers to book tickets in advance.

The track resumed hosting limited audiences on April 2 for the first time since early March 2020 as part of revamped policies for outdoor sporting events in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles Dodgers had 15,167 in attendance on Thursday evening at a stadium with capacity for 56,000.