Kentucky Derby Update: Flying Mohawk, Publisher, Tiztastic Highlight Saturday Work Tab at Churchill Downs

Apr 12, 2025

Louisiana Derby star Tiztastic is closely inbred to Tapit (Photo by Hodges Photography)

With three weeks remaining until the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), preparations intensified Saturday morning at Churchill Downs with three contenders recording timed workouts: Flying Mohawk (four furlongs, :50.80), Publisher (five furlongs, 1:00.80) and Tiztastic (five furlongs, 1:00.80).

Trainer Steve Asmussen sent out TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Tiztastic and Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Publisher at 5:45 a.m. Jockey Joel Rosario was aboard Tiztastic and worked outside of Publisher, ridden by Asmussen’s longtime exercise rider Carlos Rosas. The duo worked through eighth-mile splits of :13, :24.80 and :36.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40 and completing seven furlongs in 1:26.60.

“Both horses moved in here to Churchill nicely,” Asmussen said. “With all of the weather we had in the area last week, it was nice to have a fast track to work over. I was extremely pleased with how they handled and traveled over the racetrack. They looked capable of doing more.”

About 90 minutes later, Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) runner-up Flying Mohawk worked in company with stablemate Honor Marie, who finished eighth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. The duo, trained by Whit Beckman, completed a composed opening quarter-mile in :26 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.40.

“It was both of their first works back after running so I just wanted an easy move,” Beckman said. “(Flying Mohawk) has worked well on dirt before so I figured he’d handle it just fine.”

Jockey Joe Ramos was aboard Flying Mohawk for the move and will ride the Karakontie (JPN) colt in the Kentucky Derby, according to Beckman.

“Joe has always given me his best,” Beckman said. “This horse is fairly straightforward to ride but I’m always confident with Joe knowing that he’ll give me his top effort every time. That’s all you can really ask.”

Earlier in the morning, Beckman also sent out Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) hopefuls Drexel Hill and Simply Joking, who worked a half-mile together in :48.60 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80.

“(Simply Joking) is a really nice filly,” said jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard the Fantasy (GII) runner-up. “It was a good work – pretty easy and not asking much of her.”

Also on Saturday morning, at Turfway Park, Louisiana Derby runner-up Chunk of Gold had a strong five-furlong move in :59.60 on trainer Ethan West’s watch.

“Jareth (Loveberry) came in town to work him and it was a really good move,” West said. “I had him :47 and change for a half-mile and he galloped out three-quarters in 1:12.”

In addition to the trio of timed workers, it was a routine morning for other Derby hopefuls stabled at Churchill Downs, including Arkansas Derby winner Sandman and Southwest (GIII) winner Coal Battle, who both galloped.

UAE Derby (GII) winner Admire Daytona (JPN), who cleared USDA quarantine Friday afternoon, is scheduled to train for the first time over the Churchill Downs surface Sunday morning.

Training hours at Churchill Downs remain 5:30-10 a.m. with renovation breaks from 6:45-7:15 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. Beginning Friday, April 18, training will shift to 5:15-10 a.m., with a special 7:15-7:30 a.m. window designated exclusively for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.