Top Three Kentucky Derby Workouts: Journalism, Sovereignty & Burnham Square

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Who's been making the best physical impression in the mornings heading into the GI Kentucky Derby? Our boots on the ground and Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack reveals his top three favorite workouts recorded from the scratched-down field of 19 beneath the Twin Spires.

1) JOURNALISM

April 27, 2025 | 5F | 1:01.40 (18/22)

Not only does Journalism (Curlin) have the best form heading into the first Saturday in May. The physically imposing 3-1 morning-line favorite also posted the most visually impressive local breeze of the field, reaching out beautifully down the lane while working five furlongs in 1:01.40 Apr. 27. He was clocked in splits of :13.60, :25.80 and :37.60 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.60 and seven furlongs 1:26.80. “I was very pleased with the work,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Umberto (Rispoli) was happy, so that's good.”

2) SOVEREIGNTY

April 27, 2025 | 5F | 1:01.80 (22/22)

For a horse with the reputation of not being the best work horse, the powerfully built Sovereignty (Into Mischief) has made quite the impression during his time in Louisville. Very aggressive heading to the pole, Sovereignty was under a snug hold from exercise rider Javier Cardona, switched leads right on cue and easily handled his workmate while getting over the ground with very good-looking strides, concluding his Derby preparations with a five-furlong move in 1:01.80. He was credited with splits of :25.40, :37.80 and a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:15. “Liked what I saw,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. “He looked good coming through the stretch.”

3) BURNHAM SQUARE

April 26, 2025 | 5F | :59.20 (3/33)

With jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. scraping the paint just like he did aboard Mystik Dan in last year's Derby, there's been plenty of buzz about Burnham Square (Liam's Map)'s sparkling five-furlong move in :59.20 Apr. 26. He worked in fractions of :12.40, :24.40, :36, :59.40 and was out six furlongs in 1:12 and seven-eighths in 1:26.20. “I let him out a little bit at the eighth pole and he got his last eighth in :11 1/5,” Hernandez, Jr. said. Trainer Ian Wilkes added, “It was probably a tick faster, but he did it well in hand and had a strong gallop out.”