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 line-up. 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. Todd Pletcher, who trains Pioneer of Medina, said if Pioneer of Medina does not go in the Derby, he would be rerouted to the Peter Pan at Belmont Park. The only other Derby horses to work Friday did so on opposite coasts. In California, Santa Anita Derby runner-up Messier went six furlongs in 1:11.60, while at Gulfstream Park, Simplification, the third-place finisher in the Florida Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 under Junior Alvarado. Messier and Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba, both trained by Tim Yakteen, are scheduled to fly here Sunday. :: Kentucky Derby Headquarters: Get the latest news, info on contenders, past performances, picks, and more  Simplification’s work, on a track rated muddy, was the last of a terrific series he has put in since the Florida Derby. “It was easier than last week, better than last week. He was more relaxed,” said his trainer, Antonio Sano. “Galloped out even stronger. Most important, he came back very good.” Jose Ortiz, who rode him in the Florida Derby, has the mount in the Kentucky Derby. “He was too close in the Florida Derby. That was a mistake,” Sano said. “He won’t be as close in the Derby, although we don’t want him too far back either in such a big field.” Simplification was scheduled to leave Florida later Friday to travel here by van. While Zandon’s work was the lone drill locally amongst the 20 expected for the Derby, there were seven fillies who worked in preparation for the Oaks, highlighted by the Pletcher-trained trio of Goddess of Fire, Nest, and Shahama. Nest, the Ashland Stakes winner, worked in company under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and was timed by Daily Racing Form in 48.91 seconds for a half-mile, with an extended gallop-out typical of Pletcher horses. “She’s settled in well. We’re following the same schedule as Malathaat,” said Pletcher, referring to the champion filly who last year won the Kentucky Oaks after capturing the Ashland. :: DRF has you covered! Get everything you need to win big on Derby Day with a Kentucky Derby Package and get up to 41% off retail price. Goddess of Fire, runner-up most recently in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, worked in company with Shahama, the unbeaten winner of the United Arab Emirates Oaks, and it was Shahama who looked the best of the pair, who were timed by Daily Racing Form in 48.41 seconds for a half-mile, also with a lengthy gallop-out. Flavien Prat was aboard Shahama. “She’s trained very well,” Pletcher said. “Not sure what she’s been beating, but all her works at Palm Beach Downs were good, and I really like the way she’s done here. Working her with Goddess of Fire gives us a pretty good line, and it looks like she fits.” Beguine, second in the Fantasy in her stakes debut April 2, worked a swift five furlongs in 58.82 seconds for trainer Dan Peitz. Hidden Connection, second to Echo Zulu last time out in the Fair Grounds Oaks, worked a half-mile in 50.20 seconds under Reylu Gutierrez, then galloped out strongly for Bret Calhoun. Turnerloose, trained by two-time Oaks winner Brad Cox, went a half-mile in 49.06 seconds before continuing out another quarter-mile. She was fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks in her last start. Venti Valentine, second in the Gazelle in her most recent start, worked five furlongs in 1:00.17 under Tyler Gaffalione for Jorge Abreu. – additional reporting by Mike Welsch