Rain hinders Kentucky Derby workouts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A day after a dozen horses put in workouts for the Kentucky Derby, there wasn’t much activity at Churchill Downs on a dreary and rainy Sunday morning.

Among the Derby contenders out for a mile jog before Saturday’s Derby were trainer Todd Pletcher’s Bluegrass Cat, Keyed Entry and Sunriver.

While Bluegrass Cat and Keyed Entry are set for the 1 1/4 -mile Derby, the same can’t be said for Sunriver, who may be Pletcher’s best 3-year-old coming into the race.

The field is limited to 20 starters, and if more are entered at Wednesday’s post position draw, the deciding factor is based on graded stakes earnings.

Sunriver, who finished third behind Barbaro and Sharp Humor in the Florida Derby, ranks 22nd on the list and will need at least two horses to drop out for a chance to run for the roses.

“I really hope the horse gets to run,” Pletcher said. “He deserves his chance and if he gets it, I think he can do very well.”

Pletcher, a two-time Eclipse Award winning trainer who currently leads the nation in earnings this year, sent out three Derby starters last year: Flower Alley finished ninth, Coin Silver was 12th and Bandini was 19th.

Bluegrass Cat, a disappointing fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes, still does not have a rider, with Ramon Dominguez under consideration to replace the injured John Velazquez.

Keyed Entry, third in the Wood Memorial behind Bob and John and Jazil, will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela.