LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The weather forecast for Saturday was improving by the time trainer Chad Brown arrived at Churchill Downs early Friday morning. But he decided it was better to go with what was in front of him than risk chancing a different track Saturday morning, so out went the highly regarded Zandon for his final workout for the May 7 Kentucky Derby, highlighting a morning of activity here that otherwise focused on fillies in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks. Zandon, the Blue Grass winner who is expected to vie for favoritism in this Derby with Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter, received an official time of 1:00.40 from track clockers, with Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch timing his final quarter-mile in a snappy 24.14 seconds. “He’s a machine, this horse,” Brown said. “Super smooth. Very happy with how he went.” Kriss Bon, a longtime exercise rider for Brown, was up for the drill. “He did a fabulous job with him,” Brown said. “I’m so proud of him. He’s never missed with this horse.” Zandon is an impressive-moving horse, leggy, with a fluid, effortless stride. A number of people associated with Spendthrift Farm were keenly interested in him at the barn. “He is tall, dark, and handsome,” Brown said. Brown had been debating whether to work on Saturday or Friday, and while he had been leaning toward Saturday, the forecast as of a few days ago was for potential wet weather Saturday. By Friday morning, the Saturday forecast had improved, but Brown’s preparation in preceding days with Zandon had set him up well for a work Friday, and he decided it was prudent to get it over with and not risk any variables Saturday when Friday’s track was to his satisfaction. “The weather looks better for Saturday, but I didn’t want to take any chances,” Brown said. Brown reiterated that Wood Memorial runner-up Early Voting, still based in New York, would work Saturday, with the Preakness his intended target unless, as Brown said, “there’s a major shift” to the Derby lineup. If he drops out by Monday’s draw, as expected, that would allow Pioneer of Medina, currently 21st on the points list, to get in Trainer Todd Pletcher said if Pioneer of Medina does not go in the Derby, he would be rerouted to the Peter Pan at Belmont Park.