Kentucky Derby Update for Friday, April 10: Commandment, Fulleffort Breeze for Kentucky Derby 152

Apr 10, 2026

Business is picking up at trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 at Churchill Downs where Wathnan Racing’s Florida Derby (GI) winner Commandment (four furlongs in :48.40) and St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) winner Fulleffort (four furlongs in :48.40) recorded published workouts Friday morning for Kentucky Derby 152.

Commandment was the first of the two Cox trainees to breeze and worked in company with George Messina’s Louisiana-bred stakes winner He’s Late Again. The duo completed an opening quarter-mile in :24.40 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.40, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

About two hours later, Fulleffort worked a solo half-mile with an opening quarter-mile in :24.40 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.60, according to Nichols.

“Both horses worked great,” Cox said. “It was exactly what we were looking for three weeks out from the Derby. It’s an exciting time of the year and it’s exciting to have some very nice contenders in this year’s race.”

Commandment will enter the Kentucky Derby on a four-race win streak dating back to his seven-furlong maiden victory Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs. Since that win, he captured the one-mile Mucho Macho Man (Listed), 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth (GII) and 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby.

“He’s progressed very well since he began his career,” Cox said. “Every time we’ve asked him to stretch out in distance he’s handled it.”

Fulleffort will make his first start on dirt in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Liam’s Map raced four times on turf as a 2-year-old before switching to the synthetic surface this winter.

“He’s a bigger, stronger version of himself than he was last summer breezing on the dirt, and that’s what is supposed to happen,” Cox said. “They’re supposed to get better as they get older. He worked all winter on the synthetic, but his last two works on the dirt were very good. As a 2-year-old, his works on dirt were just OK, and his works from the gate on dirt were just OK, so we decided to get him started on turf. He was successful on the grass and this winter on the synthetic at Turfway.”

Cox’s third Derby contender, Spendthrift Farm’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Further Ado, galloped Friday morning and is scheduled to have two works prior to the Kentucky Derby.

Friday also marked the first time Yoshinari Yamamoto’s UAE Derby (GII) winner Wonder Dean (JPN) trained over the surface. The colt arrived at Churchill Downs on April 1 and has walked the shedrow in Barn 17 each morning since passing a mandatory 42-hour USDA quarantine period. According to Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby liaison Kate Hunter, it is normal for Wonder Dean to walk for several days after a race since he is a smaller-built horse.

Additionally, Hunter confirmed that Danon Bourbon, scheduled to arrive in America on April 21, would be ridden by his regular jockey Atsuya Nishimura.

The Saturday work tab at Churchill Downs is expected to include Amerman Racing’s Stark Contrast, who could run in either the Kentucky Derby or the $1 million American Turf (GI).

DOWN THE STRETCH – WinStar Farm CEO Elliott Walden reported on X that Rebel Stakes (GII) winner Class President will be sidelined for 60 days and miss the Kentucky Derby. With the defection of Class President, St. Elias Stable, Willaim Lawrence and Glassman Racing’s Gotham Stakes (GIII) winner Iron Honor moves into the field. … Trainer Jeff Mullins notified Churchill Downs officials late Friday morning that Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures’ Intrepido is back under Kentucky Derby consideration. He ranks No. 23 on the most current preference list. … Louisiana Derby third-place finisher Golden Tempo worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 Friday morning at Keeneland. Trainer Cherie DeVaux reported the colt will stay at Keeneland for his major Derby preparation and arrive at Churchill Downs prior to the 11 a.m. ET deadline Saturday, April 25. … Chester Browman Sr.’s Right to Party is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs early Saturday morning, according to trainer Kenny McPeek. … Trainer Riley Mott reported Pin Oak Stud’s Incredibolt is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs from Florida on April 20. Mott’s other Kentucky Derby contender, Albus, arrived early Tuesday morning. … Trainer Mark Casse reported Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Silent Tactic would van from Oaklawn to Churchill Downs on Sunday or Monday, depending on the weather. … Florida Derby (GI) runner-up The Puma is slated to van from Gulfstream Park to Churchill Downs on April 19 or 20, according to assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. The colt will be based in Barn 42, the same barn where Mage was prior to his victory in Kentucky Derby 149. … As of Friday there are two Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) contenders on the grounds: Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) winner Life of Joy and Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) winner Prom Queen.

COADY MEDIA KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE – Here is the link to access Coady Media’s daily photo coverage of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks morning training, along with race day coverage: https://www.coadyplus.com/gallery-collection/152nd-Kentucky-Derby/C0000KUCsBDLVdJ4.

Please credit photos: Coady Media