Photo:

Amanda Hodges Weir / Hodges Photography

The Derby Alumni tracker checks in with the horses who raced in the Kentucky Derby, both this year and in previous years, keeping up with what they have done since they ran for the roses.

2024 Kentucky Derby

Three entrants from the 2024 Kentucky Derby returned to the track in recent weeks. In his first start since the run for the roses, Track Phantom came back in an allowance-level dirt sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 9. The Steve Asmussen charge attended an honest pace, outfinished the pacesetter, but was caught late by the older Horace Mann. Second by a length, it gave him a good place from which to build a winter campaign.

Mugatu also recently hit the board in an allowance-optional claiming dirt mile at Gulfstream Park. Settled in last in a field of just five, the Jeff Engler trainee chased on for third, 7 1/2 lengths behind the winner Morgan Point.

West Saratoga returned to the races Nov. 6 for his first start since the Matt Winn (G3) in June. Settled toward the rear in the 7 1/2-furlong test over the slop, he never fired. The Larry Demeritte trainee crossed the wire eighth and last, 20 1/4 lengths behind winning Liberal Arts.

2023 Kentucky Derby

The 2023 Kentucky Derby field has been busy, with 10 runners having raced over the last four weeks and another in the sales ring.

Two of the horses from the 2023 Kentucky Derby contested the Breeders’ Cup Classic, though neither finished in the money. Tapit Trice finished the better of the two; after sitting in last early, the Todd Pletcher trainee ran on through horses to finish sixth, 10 3/4 lengths behind Sierra Leone. Derma Sotogake, second in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, could not repeat the magic in 2024. The Hidetaka Otonashi charge set a contested pace early but weakened to 13th.

The one recent winner in the group is Hit Show, who continued his late-season run of good form with a victory in the Fayette (G2) at Keeneland. Bet down to odds-on, he settled toward the rear of the eight-horse field early but mustered a run, battled in the lane, and won by 3/4 length over Bolzy. The Brad Cox trainee has now won three graded stakes in a row.

Two other entrants recently hit the board in allowance company. Cyclone Mischief settled in last early in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance-optional claimer at Churchill on Sunday. The Dale Romans trainee made a mighty rally, but the more forwardly placed Kavod dug in to hold by a neck. Skinner, making his first start in almost a year, resurfaced Nov. 1 in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on the Breeders’ Cup Friday undercard at Del Mar. The John Shirreffs trainee settled in last early, sustained a rally, but settled for second 2 1/2 lengths behind Red Flag.

Reincarnate, most recently third in the Pacific Classic (G1), is headed to South Korea. He was sold at the Keeneland sale at Del Mar on Oct. 30, and purchased by K.O.I.D. as a racing or stallion prospect.

2022 Kentucky Derby

Ethereal Road returned to the winners’ circle Nov. 6 for the first time since winning the 2022 Sir Barton Stakes. The Kent Sweezey trainee was sent off the narrow third betting choice of seven in a 1 1/16-mile race at Churchill Downs for $30,000 claimers, non-winners of three races lifetime or three years old. He stalked the pace, split horses, took over with about a furlong and a half to go, and ran on to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

Two other 2022 Kentucky Derby entrants raced in recent weeks as well. Tiz the Bomb stepped up to starter-optional claiming company after a claiming-level win. Sent off the favorite of six in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta race, he tracked the leading pair but did not have enough in the lane. He settled for fourth, 5 1/4 lengths behind American Speed.

Messier, unraced since winning in the Westchester on May 3 at Aqueduct, returned Oct. 26 in the Forty Niner (G3). The Rick Dutrow charge was bet down to the second wagering choice, but pulled up in upper stretch and was vanned off after bleeding.

2021 Kentucky Derby

Helium, unraced and off the work tab since finishing tenth in a starter allowance in February at Tampa Bay Downs, has returned to serious training. He resurfaced at Laurel for a four-furlong drill on Oct. 27, and then posted a five-furlong move Sunday.

2020 Kentucky Derby

Storm the Court, who still seeks his first win since the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, returned to original trainer Peter Eurton for a start in an allowance-optional claiming race at Del Mar on Sunday. He stalked the early pace in the turf mile, but emptied out down the lane. He crossed the wire ninth and last, 6 3/4 lengths behind winner Zio Jo.

2019 Kentucky Derby

Though three of the runners from the 2019 Kentucky Derby have either raced or worked in 2024, none have been in action over the last four weeks.