Kentucky Derby hopeful Like The King works 6 furlongs in 1:12.80

At 9 a.m. Saturday, M Racing Group’s Like the King continued his preparation for a start in the
$3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 1 by working 6 furlongs in company in 1:12.80 over a fast main track. (Click here for a video of the work.)

With Julio Garcia aboard, Like the King started 3 lengths in back of 2020 Canadian champion female sprinter Artie’s Princess and drew even at the sixteenth pole.

At the conclusion of the work, trainer Wesley Ward and Gary Stevens, agent for Drayden Van Dyke, who will have the Derby mount, exchanged fist bumps with enthusiasm.

“That was a good work and the horse he worked with is a champion,” Ward said. “He’ll work again next Saturday or Sunday.”

Winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) in his most recent start, Like the King  worked 6 furlongs on the turf in 1:16 in company here on April 10.

Like the King is expected to van to Churchill Downs on Tuesday, April 27.