The road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby is heating up as young horses start preparing for the big race. This week, seven potential Derby contenders took to the track for workouts, showing off their skills and progress. Among them, Patch Adams, trained by Brad Cox, turned heads with a strong performance at Payson Park. Here’s a closer look at these horses, their recent workouts, and what they might bring to the Derby trail.
Patch Adams Impresses in Training
Patch Adams, a colt by Into Mischief, is gaining attention after a dominant maiden win at Churchill Downs in November. On Tuesday, he breezed four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Payson Park, ranking 16th out of 98 workers. This performance adds to his promising debut at Keeneland in October, where he finished third. Patch Adams is listed at 20-1 in Las Vegas Derby futures, making him one to watch.
Other Top Contenders in Action
Calling Card (Complexity)
Calling Card worked four furlongs in 51.6 seconds at Fair Grounds, marking his first work since placing third in a one-mile allowance race at Oaklawn on December 13. Trained by Mike Maker, this colt is gradually building momentum.
Lil Muggs (Upstart)
Lil Muggs showed speed with a four-furlong work in 49.0 seconds at Fair Grounds, the seventh-fastest time of 20 workers. Trained by Greg Foley, he last raced in November, finishing third in a Churchill Downs allowance race.
Rapture (Uncle Mo)
Brad Cox’s Rapture clocked 49.6 seconds for four furlongs at Payson Park, his first workout since finishing second in a Gulfstream Park maiden race in mid-December. He’s showing steady improvement and is likely to remain competitive.
Notable Performances from Sandman, Tux, and Volt
Sandman (Tapit)
Sandman stood out at Oaklawn with an impressive four-furlong time of 48.8 seconds, ranking 11th out of 137 workers. Trained by Mark Casse, he’s coming off a win in an Oaklawn allowance race, positioning himself as a strong contender.
Tux (Tapit)
Tux, trained by Bill Mott, breezed four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Payson Park. Although his time was middle-of-the-pack, he has shown promise by placing third in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct earlier this month.
Volt (Tapit)
Volt worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Oaklawn, where he ranked 35th out of 137. While he placed sixth in his last maiden race, he continues to show potential under trainer Mark Casse’s guidance.
What’s Next for These Contenders?
As these young horses prepare for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, their workouts offer a glimpse into their potential. Each horse’s progress will be crucial as they aim for the qualifying races leading up to the Derby. Fans and bettors alike will keep a close eye on these future stars as the excitement builds.
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