The leading finishers from the 2025 Kentucky Derby have returned to training. Sovereignty, Baeza, and Journalism each completed recent workouts as they prepare for upcoming races. Several other Derby participants have also raced or are scheduled to compete soon.
The Triple Crown Tracker provides updates on horses from the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Focusing on the Derby's top three, Sovereignty, the reigning horse of the year, completed his first workout of the year on February 15 at Payson Park and worked again on Sunday. He trains under Bill Mott. Baeza, who last worked on February 15 at Santa Anita, will join Mott's barn in the east following the death of his previous trainer, John Shirreffs. Journalism had his first workout since the Breeders' Cup Classic on Sunday at Santa Anita.
Among other 2025 Kentucky Derby entrants, four have raced recently. Publisher secured his first victory in 13 starts on February 15, winning a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Oaklawn by 5 3/4 lengths in the mud. Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Erik Asmussen, the horse made a strong bid in the lane. Grande, scratched from the Derby, returned to win under Todd Pletcher and jockey Rajiv Maragh, edging Grade 3-placed Praetor by a half-length after setting the pace. Luxor Cafe finished fifth in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup on February 14 for trainer Noriyuki Hori, showing improvement over his prior two outings despite facing top competition like Forever Young and Nysos. Flying Mohawk placed sixth of seven in a grass allowance route at Fair Grounds on Saturday, trained by Whit Beckman.
Upcoming races include Sandman, trained by Mark Casse, in the Grade 3 Razorback on Saturday from post seven. Burnham Square, under Ian Wilkes, enters an allowance-optional claiming turf route at Gulfstream from post eight in an overflow field.
From the Preakness, Pay Billy finished second on February 5 at Laurel Park, 1 3/4 lengths behind Feeling Woozy, and is entered Friday in a one-turn mile allowance-optional claimer from post four, trained by Michael Gorham.
Belmont Stakes runner Hill Road, last seen 10th in the Breeders' Cup Turf in November, has worked twice at Ian Brennan Stables in Ocala: three furlongs on February 6 and four furlongs on Friday.
