Kentucky Derby update | Loose horse interrupts training

Barring injuries and a decision by Bob Baffert about contender Chitu, the field for Kentucky Derby 140 is essentially set now, though three possibilities are still without jockeys entering Thursday morning's training at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Todd Pletcher's Vinceremos, 19th in the Road to the Derby standings and listed as probable for entry to the race, is without a rider, as is Mike Maker's Harry's Holiday, who's 20th and confirmed. Chitu, which will run in Saturday's Derby Trial, will reportedly have Martin Garcia aboard, though Wednesday's notes from Churchill Downs did not yet confirm the appointment.

Julien Leparoux has ridden Vinceremos in the past and is without a Derby mount. Harry's Holiday has traditionally had Rosie Napranik aboard, but she will ride Vicar's In Trouble in the Derby. Chitu, normally ridden by Joel Rosario, loses him to General a Rod if entered on May 3.

—The "Toddfather" is on the grounds. Todd Pletcher, after watching his horses gallop Thursday morning, talked with media members for the first time since making it to Churchill Downs. He has Intense Holiday, Vinceremos and We Miss Artie all confirmed to run and said each looked good in training.

Pletcher's Danza in particular has drawn some attention for his breakout performance in winning the Arkansas Derby. Meanwhile, he blamed Keeneland's synthetic surface on Vinceremos' 14th-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes.

—At 7:50 a.m., a loose horse turned toward the rail, smashed into it and flipped onto the inside grass surface. It ran backward around the track loose — no Derby or Oaks contenders were on track — until corralled about five minutes later, still walking OK.

Derby and Oaks training went on as scheduled after a quick repair to the inside rail. The horse, a 2-year-old un-raced filly trained by Dallas Stewart, sustained an injury to its left-front leg and will get treatment through antibiotics.

—The lone scheduled Derby workout happens far from Churchill Downs on Thursday. Social Inclusion, the Manny Azpurua-trained colt by Pioneerof the Nile, was set to work at Gulfstream Park at 7:30 a.m. At 24th in the Road to the Derby standings, Social Inclusion isn't listed as certain to ship to Churchill Downs.

—Elsewhere, Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong galloped at Belmont about an eighth of a mile in front of Uncle Sigh. Both are confirmed for the Derby. A flight is scheduled to arrive Monday from New York also carrying Samraat.

—Others, though, will got regular work Thursday, walking the shed row and galloping on track in many cases. Steve Asmussen's Tapiture was one contender seen out before the Derby and Kentucky Oaks-only training session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Later, others such as Danza, Commanding Curve and Vinceremos galloped.

—Four Oaks contenders each conducted timed workouts. With jockey Calvin Borel aboard, Sugar Shock went four furlongs in 48.40 seconds and galloped out five in 1:00.80. Wayne Catalano-trained Aurelia's Belle, working on the inside with company from Room Service, traveled seven furlongs in 1:28.60. And Unbridled Forever went five furlongs in 1:00.80 before galloping out six in 1:14.00.

—See more Derby updates from The Courier-Journal today at courier-journal.com/sports/horses.

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199; follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.