Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen discusses Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects Super Stock and Midnight Bourbon.

Grade 2 winner Conquest Big E has found a soft landing with Remember Me Rescue in Burleson, Texas, and has been retired from racing.

The 3-year-old will be making his debut in the colors of owner George Sharp, who purchased Hello Hot Rod for $335,000 at the Fasig-Tipton February Sale from previous co-owner and trainer Brittany Russell.

Trainer Steve Asmussen, seeking his first Derby win, teams with multiple Derby-winning rider Mike Smith with hopes his services could lead to Derby success. Smith rides Midnight Bourbon for the trainer, while Ricardo Santana Jr. is on Super Stock.

In addition to the Kentucky riders that regularly breeze horses beneath the Twin Spires, Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. traveled from New York to pilot their Derby mounts in their final workouts before the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The John Gosden-trained colt has now won six out of seven starts in his career and will be pointed towards the May 15 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury Racecourse.

Featuring an early-morning appearance from unbeaten juvenile champion Essential Quality, five horses breezed at Churchill Downs toward the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). 

After wintering at Turfway Park and thriving on the synthetic surface there, Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful Like the King looked comfortable on the dirt at Keeneland the morning of April 24, turning in a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.

Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby

Dwight D. Patterson Stakes