Wandering Eyes

The field for the GI Kentucky Derby, ranked in “likeliest winner” order. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. Journalism is the legitimate and deserving favorite. He checks many of the Derby desirability boxes by being a big, long-striding colt who has won three straight two-turn graded stakes with a confident, powerful way of going and fast speed figures. Through only five starts, Journalism has honed a level of gravitas unmatched by his peers. This athletic $825,000 FTSAUG colt by Curlin from trainer Michael McCarthy's stable drew the eight post outside the Derby's two main speed threats, which will give Umberto Rispoli the chance to position him advantageously within the first flight, playing to Journalism's stalk-and-throttle style. Journalism comes into the Derby after having run the two most visually impressive races on the sophomore portion of the Derby prep calendar. His win in the GII San Felipe Stakes (108 Beyer Speed Figure) was punctuated by a prolonged, three-deep sweep on the far turn that he torqued to an emphatic stretch kick, and his 102-Beyer GI Santa Anita Derby score was accomplished despite significant momentum loss three-eighths from the wire when Journalism got trapped in tight quarters down near the fence. Favorites are always a dicey proposition in the Derby, no matter how talented the horse. The public's choice has now lost the last six Derbies after winning six straight between 2013 and 2018. There are some knocks against Journalism, but you have to reach to come up with them. With four races against only four other rivals (and one start against nine others), he's inexperienced against large fields. Journalism (like four other entrants in this year's race) will also be trying to buck an 0-for-49 streak that has beset every Derby entrant between 2017 and 2024 who has attempted to win the Derby with only two prior starts at age three. And it's an open question as to how much that dominant Santa Anita Derby took out of this colt four weeks ago. Journalism basically got stopped on the far turn, had to shoulder aside a rival, then ran hard all the way to the wire. Sovereignty gallops under the spires Tuesday morning | Renee Torbit/Coady Media 2) SOVEREIGNTY (c, Into Mischief–Crowned, by Bernardini). O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott; Lifetime Record: MGSW, 5-2-2-0, $572,800. Last start: 2nd Mar. 29 GI Florida Derby. This Into Mischief-sired homebred for Godolphin is the Derby's most dangerous deep closer. The “how he did it” aspects of Sovereignty's best races exceed the “how fast” metrics of the speed figures he was assigned for those efforts. Sure, all winter and spring long, this column has warned of the dangers of falling in love with an off-the-tailgate type in a 20-horse race. Too often, late runners like Sovereignty are at the mercy of the pace and/or traffic. But there's something to be said for being able to reliably fire with one sustained run, and Sovereignty's last-to-first clock-cleanings of talented fields in both the GII Street Sense Stakes in October and the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes in March attest to his ability to finish races with exclamation points. In the Derby, trainer Bill Mott will go back to regular rider Junior Alvarado, who had missed Sovereignty's not-fully-cranked second in the GI Florida Derby because of a shoulder blade fracture sustained in a March spill. Yes, Sovereignty is a touch light in the speed figures department, with a lifetime Beyer progression of 79-89-87-95-92. Daily Racing Form lists 103 as the Derby's winning Beyer par. But considering Sovereignty's pedigree resonates with Triple Crown race-winning royalty (Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, A.P. Indy, Empire Maker and Bernardini, to name a few), it's reasonable to speculate he'll be a longer-the-better type of performer capable of producing faster figures at 10 furlongs and beyond. 3) CITIZEN BULL (c, Into Mischief–No Joke, by Distorted Humor). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Robert Low & Lawana Low (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $675,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MGISW, 6-4-0-1, $1,451,000. Last start: 4th Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. At 20-1 on the morning line, the 2-year-old champ has really taken a hit from the public's pricing perspective over the past month. Part of that confidence drop is attributable to this Bob Baffert trainee running like a “short” horse when backpedaling to fourth in the Santa Anita Derby. Other bettors will be scared off by Citizen Bull having drawn the dreaded inside post, a position that often results in good horses getting buried behind a crowded wall of rivals. Gate one has not delivered a Derby winner since 1986. On the flip side, that narrative translates to significant value if you are willing to gamble that Baffert has sufficiently tightened Citizen Bull in the past month or so. And if you further feel that this colt's natural speed won't make breaking from the rail too much of an issue, there is quite a bit of upside arguing in favor of Citizen Bull being the overlay of this year's Derby. This $675,000 KEESEP son of Into Mischief wired three graded stakes routes between October and February. Look to his sophomore debut in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes as the race that showcased Citizen Bull at his best. He pummeled two capable stablemates at 9-10 odds despite a bobble at the break and never being roused for his full run. If Citizen Bull scores on Saturday, he'll be only the third GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner in 41 years to also win the Derby, joining Street Sense in 2007 and Nyquist in 2016. 4) RODRIGUEZ (c, Authentic–Cayala, by Cherokee Run). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Kingswood Farm & David Egan (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $485,000 Ylg KEESEP '23. Lifetime record: GSW, 5-2-2-1, $522,800. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GII Wood Memorial Stakes. 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez has breakout-race momentum on his side coming out of a wiring of the GII Wood Memorial Stakes. If you believe he is stamped after his sire, the later-developing 2020 3-year-old champ Authentic (who won the pandemic-shifted Derby in September), it's reasonable to expect this colt's best races are ahead of him. But it's also fair to question whether Rodriguez, a May 20 foal who won't turn three until three days after the GI Preakness Stakes, is ready for prime time just yet. Although he has caught the eye with two triple-digit Beyer performances (his Jan. 4 maiden win and the Apr. 5 Wood Memorial), he was cuffed around by the likes of Journalism and Citizen Bull in two other California stakes, and in both those efforts he looked out of his element when tasked with having to chase the pace while never settling between rivals. Trainer Bob Baffert took the blinkers off this $485,000 KEESEP colt for the Wood because he and jockey Mike Smith believe Rodriguez is a more comfortable free-runner when allowed to see what's around him. The result was a more professional, seize-the-lead performance. Rodriguez took heat from the favorite, shrugged him off, then swatted back a late challenger to win with his ears pricked by 3 1/2 lengths. His final time of 1:48.15 was the fastest nine-furlong clocking in any points-awarding Derby prep stakes since 2022. Although I had Rodriguez at No. 2 and stablemate Citizen Bull at No. 5 in the last edition of these rankings, they're flip-flopped for the final version because of experience. Flashes of raw talent have been there, but Rodriguez has yet to put together back-to-back 'Don't mess with me' types of races. And while Citizen Bull's post one gate placement gets a bad rap for not producing Derby winners (8-for-95 since the advent of the starting gate in 1930), Rodriguez's post four is even worse at 5-for-95. Baeza, currently on the outside looking in | Stephen Ibanez/Coady Media 5) BAEZA (c, McKinzie–Puca, by Big Brown). O-C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine; B-Grandview Equine (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs. Sales history: $1,200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSP 4-1-2-0, $148,500. Last start: 2nd Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. At No. 21, Baeza is currently outside looking in as an also-eligible. He would need one other Derby entrant to scratch prior to 9 a.m. Friday to gain the privilege of starting from the outermost gate. Although he's only broken his maiden, Baeza is intriguing because he's a half-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage and 2024 GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch. Family ties aside, Baeza has held his own against strong company, finishing second to both Journalism and Rodriguez earlier this year. In the Santa Anita Derby, this $1.2 million KEESEP colt by McKinzie stalked outside, then got first run at Citizen Bull on the far turn. He led between the three-sixteenths and sixteenth poles, and although he did lose focus for a few strides in deep stretch (that can be forgiven; Baeza is just a May 13 foal), he tried his best to run with the far-more-accomplished Journalism. Baeza reportedly lost his right front shoe at some point in that race. After Baeza clocked the slowest five-eighths breeze out of 15 workers at that distance Monday at Churchill Downs, trainer John Shirreffs said he was okay with the 1:02 workout. “I know 1:02 is a little on the slow side, but he's not an especially sharp work horse,” Shirreffs said. “We put a good work into him last week [seven furlongs in 1:28 at Santa Anita on Apr. 20] and he's ready. We just need to get a little lucky and get him into the race.” 6) LUXOR CAFÉ (c, American Pharoah–Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready). O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori. Lifetime record: SW-Japan, 6-4-1-0, $377,323. Last start: WON Mar. 29 Fukuryu Stakes. While neither of the two Japan-based contenders for this year's Derby are projected to be as tough or as talented as Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who last year landed third in a three-way photo for the win, this Kentucky-bred son of American Pharoah from Noriyuki Hori's stable rates in the top third of the 2025 field based on his ability to produce a startlingly quick turn of foot in the late stages of his races. Luxor Café has now won four straight (twice over a metric nine furlongs), showing good rhythm and response while closing into paces that were not as robust as he's likely to encounter on Saturday. This full brother to Japanese dirt champion Cafe Pharoah has twice beaten Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong), who subsequently rebounded to win the G2 UAE Derby. While jockey Joao “Magic Man” Moreira is not a household name to American-based bettors, the acclaimed overseas champion and top-notch Hong Kong-based rider brings several decades of international expertise to the Derby. But as TDN colleague Alan Carasso pointed out earlier this week in an X posting, it's odd that Luxor Café will be Moreira's lone mount at Churchill during the entirety of Derby week, meaning he will not get a chance to get a feel for the track under race conditions while spending a very long day cooped up in the jockeys' room. Sandman paddock schools Tuesday | Renee Torbit/Coady Media 7) SANDMAN (c, Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor). O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Sales History: $1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime record: GISW, 8-3-1-2, $1,254,595. Last start: WON Mar. 29 GI Arkansas Derby. Sandman was rated as high as No. 2 on this list back in February. While I still believe he's built up capable credentials that put him in the hunt for an emphatic finish in the Derby, his two best races were three and four starts back, and he hasn't delivered enough deep-stretch detonation in two stakes since then to stand out as a top-tier threat. In a Dec. 13 Oaklawn allowance over a short-stretch mile, this $1.2 million OBSMAR son of Tapit broke well from the rail, had a ground-saving go while covered up for most of his backstretch run, then overcame a positioning dilemma by slicing through at the fence to a shoot a narrow gap that easily could have closed and left him blocked. He won by 1 3/4 lengths. Then in the Jan. 25 GIII Southwest Stakes, Sandman buckled at the ankle then leaped sideways at the start. Relegated to last, he started gathering true steam three-eighths out, uncoiled through the lane, then brushed aside a lugging-out rival to close on a speed-centric track and get second, beaten only a length. Sandman's third in the Feb. 23 GII Rebel Stakes lacked the visual flourish he had unfurled in his previous start. And his 99-Beyer win in the GI Arkansas Derby came after a torrid pace setup undercut the front-runners, virtually handing the race to any closer who was up to the task of simply showing up. This gray did arrive on the scene in the stretch, but Sandman shied from one left-handed crack of the crop and veered outward at the eighth pole. He only had to beat a maiden in the final stages to secure the 2 1/2-length victory, not multiple waves of closers like he might face on Saturday. Having said that, the Arkansas Derby did not appear to take much out of Sandman, and trainer Mark Casse has had five weeks to tighten this colt for a more polished performance. Sandman has a decent foundation of six races at a mile or longer, and he's already raced three times at Churchill. 8) EAST AVENUE (c, Medaglia d'Oro–Dance Music, by Ghostzapper). 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. Lifetime record: GISW 3-2-0-0, $654,395. Last start: 2nd Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) is a speed-oriented colt who has spent the better part of his winter and spring campaign trying to regain the relevancy that merited 9-5 favoritism in last November's Breeders' Cup Juvenile. After wiring the GI Breeders' Futurity Stakes at Keeneland last October, this Godolphin homebred from Brendan Walsh's barn lost all chance when stumbling at the break of the Juvenile and finishing ninth. Then, after a 3 1/2-month break, East Avenue ran tenth as the odds-on choice in the Risen Star Stakes, perplexing his connections (and bettors) because there was no obvious excuse for the poor outing. Racing with blinkers on for the first time in the GI Blue Grass Stakes while desperate for qualifying points, East Avenue ran a valiant race on the lead despite getting caught in the final jumps. He was headed and passed in upper stretch but clawed back the lead, and the effort stood out because speed was not staying on at Keeneland that afternoon. Out of seven main-track races on Blue Grass day, six were won by stalkers or closers. 9) BURNHAM SQUARE (g, Liam's Map–Linda, by Scat Daddy). O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes. Lifetime record: GISW, 6-3-1-1, $977,755. Last start: WON Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. Burnham Square is a lighter-framed closer, and being agile and nimble can be advantageous in a 20-horse race like the Derby. A winner of two of three stakes starts as a sophomore while closing from last in all of them, this Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred by Liam's Map showed in February how being light on his feet can be a plus in crowded conditions. In the 1 1/16-miles GIII Holy Bull Stakes, Burnham Square marched up the rail on the backstretch, but was bottled up with nowhere to go approaching the far turn. He showed no hesitation while bumping aside a rival to make his own running room, then willingly took aim on the favorite. Even though it took the better part of the stretch to reel him in, this gelding responded to rousing before punching through over a short-stretch configuration. This Ian Wilkes trainee then ran fourth, beaten only three lengths by Sovereignty in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes. His GI Blue Grass Stakes victory was aided by a hot first half mile that ensured slow closing fractions over a track that wasn't kind to speed all afternoon. Tiztastic Tuesday morning at Churchill | Renee Torbit/Coady Media 10) TIZTASTIC (c, Tiz the Law–Keesha, by Tapit). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Capital Bloodstock (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $80,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $335,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 8-3-1-2, $1,549,800. Last start: WON Mar. 22 GII Louisiana Derby. Tiztastic (Tiz the Law), who celebrates his birthday Apr. 30, only has one lifetime win on dirt (the GII Louisiana Derby). But how often do you encounter a Thoroughbred who has managed to win million-dollar races on both turf and dirt prior to hitting age three? (In addition to his main-track score at Fair Grounds, the grass victory was the Juvenile Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs last September). True to form for most of Steve Asmussen's annual Derby contenders, Tiztastic ($80,000 KEEJAN, $335,000 KEESEP) sports a good foundation of five two-turn graded stakes dirt races between October and March. Although this year's Louisiana Derby was weak on paper (at the time, it featured no contenders ranked within TDN's Derby Top 12 list), Tiztastic enjoyed a nicely settled trip before sparking into a quicker cadence about 2 1/2 furlongs out. He swept widest for the drive in the five path, and came over the top with purpose at the eighth pole to draw away to a 2 1/4-length tally that translated to a career-best 95 Beyer. Yet he was only passing spent horses and was not seriously challenged in the deep stages of that 1 3/16-miles prep. Tiztastic has experience in larger fields, having twice competed in 10-horse races, and once each in fields of 12 and 13. In his overall eight-race body of work, he's never been worse than fifth or been beaten by more than 6 1/2 lengths. 11) FINAL GAMBIT (c, Not This Time–Pachinko, by Tapit). O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-1, $520,639. Last start: WON Mar. 22 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes. Final Gambit (Not This Time) has a big “ask” ahead of him on Derby day. Coming off a 26-point Beyer improvement in his GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes triumph, this Brad Cox-trained homebred for Juddmonte must again up his Beyer (from 90) by at least another dozen points in what will be his first lifetime race over dirt while breaking from post three, which has a 6-for-95 record in the Derby since 1930. But Mystik Dan (Goldencents) managed to overcome post three last year by saving ground at a double-digit mutuel, and there's wild-card appeal in the way Final Gambit tears off into his stretch runs that lends believability to the notion that he might all of a sudden come up with a huge effort at an outsized price. This is a work-in-progress colt who has only raced on grass and Tapeta, and it's true that he's been erratic and not fully focused through the lane while motoring past comparatively slower horses at Turfway all winter. Yet Final Gambit has a visually appealing turn of foot that seems to materialize out of nowhere, and at a starting price that figures to drift north of his 30-1 morning-line ranking, it's tempting to take the gamble that 10 furlongs just might be his sweet spot, especially if you believe the Derby pace projects to be unsustainable. 12) COAL BATTLE (c, Coal Front–Wolfblade, by Midshipman). O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock (KY); T-Lonnie Briley. Sales history: $70,000 Ylg '23 TTAYRL. Lifetime record: GSW, 8-5-0-1, $1,188,875. Last start: 3rd Mar. 29 GI Arkansas Derby. Sometimes consistency trumps sensationalism, and that about pinpoints the upside for Coal Battle, a $70,000 TTAYRL colt by Coal Front who won four stakes in succession earlier this campaign (Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs, Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington, plus the Smarty Jones Stakes and the Rebel Stakes, both at Oaklawn). Coal Battle then turned in a premature middle move in the Arkansas Derby that he couldn't sustain beyond a third-place finish. Trainer Lonnie Briley pointed to Coal Battle being uncharacteristically agitated and wound up prior to the Arkansas Derby, and the veteran conditioner blamed himself for not getting four (instead of three) works into this colt prior to that final prep. Coal Battle has scored on the front end and from farther back, over four different dirt tracks, and has also won twice over wet surfaces, so he doesn't come off as a one-dimensional colt who requires things his own way, pace- or surface-wise. American Promise Tuesday morning | Stephen Ibanez/Coady Media 13) AMERICAN PROMISE (c, Justify–Tapella, by Tapit). O-BC Stables LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $750,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: SW, 9-2-1-1, $444,874. Last start: WON Mar. 15 Virginia Derby. This $750,000 KEESEP colt by Justify is a May 1 foal who has been described by trainer D. Wayne Lukas as “just growing into his frame.” After nine starts on roughly a once-a-month basis since last July, he'll go in the Kentucky Derby off a seven-week break coming off his win in the Virginia Derby. Will that extra time between starts yield a big difference in this still-developing colt's career arc? He earned a 95 Beyer in both his lone stakes win Mar. 15 at Colonial (over a one-turn configuration for nine-furlongs) and in his muddy, 1 1/16-miles maiden win Dec. 29 at Oaklawn. But American Promise failed to hit the board in two graded stakes routes in between, and he has never finished ahead of any sophomore contenders of consequence. Still, American Promise is a speed threat who does not require seizing the lead to win, which is a tactical plus. And he has his 89-year-old trainer's Hall-of-Fame mojo going for him, which includes saddling four previous Derby champs: Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995), Grindstone (1996) and Charismatic (1999). 14) GRANDE (c, Curlin–Journey Home, by War Front). O-Repole Stable; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $300,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $228,200. Last start: 2nd Apr. 5 GII Wood Memorial Stakes. After saddling the beaten favorite in the Derby in 2024 and having to scratch the Derby favorite on the morning of the race in 2023, this year trainer Todd Pletcher will send out the lower-profile Grande, a $300,000 KEESEP colt who has two wins from three lifetime starts. Grande won a one-turn-mile maiden and a nine-furlong allowance, both at Gulfstream, then secured Derby qualifying points with a promising runner-up effort behind Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial. That try was notable for Grande being hooked wide on both turns while closing against the grain of a speed-favoring Aqueduct surface. Grande will reunite with John Velazquez, who was in the saddle for his first two lifetime victories. Since 1900, 29 horses have started in the Derby with exactly three lifetime starts. Only four have won: Regret in 1915, Big Brown in 2008, Justify in 2018 and Mage in 2023. Of the remaining 25 also-rans, only one finished better than seventh: Grande's sire, Curlin, who was third in 2007. 15) CHUNK OF GOLD (c, Preservationist–Play for Gold, by Cairo Prince). O-Terry L. Stephens; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Ethan W. West. Sales history: $2,500 Ylg '23 FTKOCT. Lifetime record: GSP, 4-1-3-0, $348,818. Last start: 2nd, Mar. 22 GII Louisiana Derby. Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), a May 11 foal who hammered for the bargain price of $2,500 as a FTKOCT yearling, is ranked here as the 15th-likeliest win candidate. But his off-the-tailgate style makes it quite likely he'll be passing horses late in the lane, putting this gray in play as a long-shot candidate for minor awards in exotics. This Ethan West trainee ran second in both he the nine-furlong GII Risen Star Stakes and the 1 3/16-miles GII Louisiana Derby, pairing 92 Beyers in each of those efforts. Yet he still has never won beyond six furlongs or on the dirt, with his only lifetime win occurring at 13-1 odds back in December over Tapeta at Turfway. 16) FLYING MOHAWK (c, Karakontie (Jpn)–Bonbons Fleur, by Twirling Candy). O-Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing LLC and Kaleta Racing; B-John O'Meara (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. Sales history: $25,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $72,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSP, 6-2-2-0, $295,800. Last start: 2nd Mar. 22 Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) is the lone Derby entrant with a published equipment change. Trainer Whit Beckman will remove blinkers after this colt rallied late despite trouble at the break to gain second behind winner Final Gambit in the Jeff Ruby. Like the winner of that Turfway stakes, Flying Mohawk has never attempted a race on dirt. This colt ($25,000 KEENOV, $72,000 KEESEP) took four grass starts to break his maiden while racing in New York and Kentucky last year. Then, off a three-month layoff, he took down a first-level turf allowance at Fair Grounds before his second-place try over Tapeta. 17) PUBLISHER (c, American Pharoah–Indian Pride, by Proud Citizen). O-Gus King and Estate of Brereton C. Jones; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $600,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record GSP, 7-0-2-3, $407,756. Last start: 2nd Mar. 29 GI Arkansas Derby. Steve Asmussen has a well-publicized 0-for-26 record in the Derby. But he runs a large outfit with a sophomore program geared toward earning Derby qualifying points, so a lot of the rank outsiders he's lost with over the years were in the “let's just take a shot” category. Publisher, a $600,000 FTSAUG colt by American Pharoah who is still a maiden after seven starts, is most definitely among that group. Publisher ran seventh, fourth and second in Oaklawn's series of graded stakes preps. His 95-Beyer second when chasing Sandman home in the Arkansas Derby might have signaled a turnaround that was achieved with Asmussen adding blinkers for the first time. Irad Ortiz, Jr. will also be getting aboard for the first time. Publisher's running style suggests he will be passing horses late. Buchanan (1884), Sir Barton (1919) and Brokers Tip (1933) are the only maidens to win the Kentucky Derby. Dating to 1937 (when more precise records started being kept), maidens in the Derby are 0-for-12, with the best finish among them an eighth. Render Judgment | Renee Torbit/Coady Media 18) RENDER JUDGMENT (c, Blame–Barbara Gordon, by Commissioner). O-Baccari Racing Stable LLC, Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., MJM Racing, Rocket Ship Racing and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek); B-Green Lantern Stables (KY); T-Kenneth McPeek. Sales history: $310,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL. Lifetime record: SP, 7-1-2-1, $250,672., Last start: 5th Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. Render Judgment (Blame) hasn't won a race since breaking his maiden six months ago, but that lone victory was a two-turn race over the Churchill dirt. Since then he's finished fifth, third, eighth, second and fifth in points-awarding Derby preps at Churchill, Fair Grounds (twice), Colonial and Keeneland. Trainer Kenny McPeek won the Derby last year with Mystik Dan, but this $310,000 FTKJUL colt has been slower to establish himself. Render Judgment appears most effective as a stalker, but his lifetime-best Beyer tops out at 90. 19) ADMIRE DAYTONA (JPN) (c, Drefong–Ice Pastel, by Shackleford). O-Junko Kondo; B-Northern Racing (JPN); T-Yukihiro Kato. Sales history: ¥66,000,000 Wlg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime record: GSW, 6-2-2-0, $672,047. Last start: WON Apr. 5 G2 UAE Derby. Admire Daytona (Jpn), a son of 2016 champion American sprinter Drefong, was pressured by multiple challengers on the front end, lost the lead in a three-way stretch battle, then regained it in the final jump to prevail by a nose in the UAE Derby. Trainer Yukihiro Kato will now ask this ¥66-million JRHAJUL weanling to break the 0-for-14 Dubai/Kentucky Derby double that has stood since the UAE Derby's inception. Part of the difficulty this year for Admire Daytona will be having to get acclimated to another new country. He has endured two global shipping experiences this spring after making his first five starts in Tokyo. Similar to the circumstances mentioned in Luxor Café's write-up, world-class jockey Christophe Lemaire will also be without a mount the entirety of Derby day, so he will have no opportunity to scope out the surface or get a feel for it until the horses hit the track for the post parade. 20) OWEN ALMIGHTY (c, Speightstown–Tempers Rising, by Bayern). O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC; B-Mark Stanley (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch. Sales history: $360,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $350,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record GSW, 7-3-2-0, $499,935. Last start: 6th (DH), Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. Back in March, even before Owen Almighty ($360,000 KEENOV, $350,000 FTSAUG) wired the GIII Tampa Bay Derby in the second-fastest edition of that stakes in 44 years, trainer Brian Lynch was on record as saying that the spring goal for this son of 2004 champion sprinter Speightstown would be the GII Pat Day Mile, a one-turn stakes on the Derby undercard. But the colt's owner, Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing, wanted to accrue more two-turn experience and race in the Derby. So Lynch relented and re-routed this compact, hard-trying speed threat to Keeneland's Apr. 8 Blue Grass Stakes, in which Owen Almighty dead-heated for last after prompting the pace and briefly leading in upper stretch. After the race, Lynch again publicly declared that the Pat Day Mile was the target. But by Apr. 16, he again bent to the wishes of the owner, so it was on to Louisville for Owen Almighty. This wasn't the first, nor will it be the last, time a trainer makes a judgment call only to be overruled by owners brimming with Derby fever. But even though Owen Almighty has very capably punched above his weight in shorter races, it's awfully tough to give any Derby entrant serious consideration at 10 furlongs when a reputable conditioner keeps indicating that a race at that class level and distance is probably beyond what the colt wants to do or is capable of doing. Neoequos Tuesday morning | Stephen Ibanez/Coady Media 21) NEOEQUOS (c, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, Parsard, Ian, Shining Stables LLC, Stefania Farms LLC, Reimer, Ken T., Braverman, Paul, and Pinch, Timothy; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & Matalona Thoroughbreds, LLC (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Sales history: $22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT. Lifetime record: 7-2-2-2, $291,050. Last start: 3rd Mar. 29 GI Florida Derby. Neoequos ran third in both the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby after two wins and two seconds sprinting in races restricted to Florida-bred or -sired horses. This son of Neolithic ($22,000 OBSOCT) is adept at getting out of the gate quickly, a skill that Flavien Prat, his new rider, will have to deploy from post position two. Prat is also named on the also-eligible Baeza and would likely opt for that mount should Baeza draw into the Derby. The post TDN Kentucky Derby Preview: And the Winner Is… appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This year's Alysheba Stakes (G2) drew a field of six, but owner Mike Repole is billing the May 2 race at Churchill Downs as "a heavyweight title fight" between two multiple grade 1 winners—his Fierceness and Todd Pletcher stablemate Locked.View the full article

Maiden Watch Kentucky Derby EditionView the full article

Multiple grade 1 winner Carson's Run looks to return to form in the $200,000 Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T) May 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 4-year-old son of Cupid takes on four opponents in the 1 1/8-mile race for older horses.View the full article

A competitive field of 12 3-year-old fillies, including eight last-out stakes winners led by Stonestreet Stables' homebred Eclatant, has been entered for the $600,000 Eight Belles Stakes (G2) May 2 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

In its ongoing case against Philip Serpe for a Clenbuterol positive stemming from last August, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) will not pursue a fine against the trainer–what could have been a $25,000 penalty–as per a letter issued by the agency last week. Serpe, however, argues that this action was taken by HIWU to prejudicially stymie his legal efforts in a federal court case against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which includes the contention that he has been wrongfully denied his Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. In a joint motion filed last week, attorneys for the FTC and the HISA Authority wrote that the lack of a monetary fine in the case “moots Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim and removes any risk of cognizable harm with respect to it.” As such, “The Court should dispose of Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim, and Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction relating to that claim,” they wrote. In his response, Serpe's attorneys argue that the defendants' “late-stage motion should be seen for what it probably is–part of a concerted effort with HIWU to prejudicially moot Serpe's claims during the pendency of this case. Defendants' motion should be swiftly and soundly rejected.” In this filing, Serpe's attorneys contend that he is unaware of any other anti-doping and medication control case in which HIWU has “voluntarily decided” not to seek a fine against a charged person. He also alleges an “alignment” of actions between HIWU's enforcement decisions and the defendants' litigation. The FTC is charged with overseeing the HISA Authority, including ensuring “transparency and integrity” in the Authority's operations. “HIWU has again made a decision that is obviously intended to moot Serpe's requests for relief–almost as if Defendants need HIWU not to seek a fine to defeat Serpe's Seventh Amendment claim and/or remedy the irreparable harm that Serpe is suffering,” Serpe's attorneys wrote in the filing. HISA spokesperson Mandy Minger wrote in an email that the agency would not comment on the matter. On Aug. 10 last year, the Serpe-trained Fast Kimmie won a four-horse, off-the-turf $30,000 claimer at Saratoga for owner WellSpring Stables. The A and B samples both confirmed the detection of Clenbuterol, a controversial bronchodilator that HISA has classified a “banned” substance, though it remains permitted under very specific uses. HIWU reportedly denied Serpe's request for hair testing and DNA analysis in the case. On Oct. 10, HIWU formally issued Serpe a charge letter for the alleged violation. One week later, Serpe filed suit against the FTC and the HISA Authority in the United States District Court (Southern District of Florida). In that suit, Serpe claimed that HISA and its regulations are unconstitutional–a claim underpinning a series of lawsuits aiming to strike down the federal law. HISA's constitutionality is expected to be decided either later this year or next year by the U.S. Supreme Court. Serpe also argued that HISA violates his Seventh Amendment rights, in part because anti-doping and medication control cases under HISA have legal parallels with cases of fraud requiring jury trials. The attorneys for the FTC and the HISA Authority have fought back against these claims. In a January response to Serpe's motion for preliminary injunction, they argued that the Seventh Amendment claim is not “ripe,” a legal term meaning that it rests upon future events that may or may not occur. “Plaintiff cannot say whether there will be any subsequent government proceeding to which the Constitution applies. Even if there is, the type of remedy that will be reviewed there–an 'all but dispositive' Seventh Amendment consideration,” the attorneys wrote, “remains unknown.” While HIWU initially served a provisional suspension against Serpe–as was protocol at the time in cases involving banned substances–the following month, the HISA Authority asked HIWU to limit the circumstances in which it imposed these suspensions. As a result, Serpe was one of the trainers who last November saw their provisional suspensions lifted, allowing him to return to training. This month has seen a flurry of legal actions in Serpe's federal lawsuit. This includes oral arguments on April 10 on his motion for preliminary injunction. The following day, the court ordered the parties to file supplemental briefs on whether the FTC had waived sovereign immunity “as to the recovery of damages for constitutional injuries suffered by persons subject to enforcement actions under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.” In their joint motion last week that asked to “dispose” of Serpe's Seventh Amendment and preliminary injunction claims, the attorneys for the FTC and the HISA Authority asked that the court either vacate the order for supplemental briefs, or to extend the deadline. Because HIWU no longer intends to issue a fine against Serpe, thereby removing “any risk of cognizable harm,” there is no longer “any need to litigate this issue,” they wrote. In his response, Serpe's attorneys asked the court to deny this request as the “defendants know they are vulnerable, if not likely to fail, on Serpe's Seventh Amendment Claim,” and that they “appear to be working with HIWU to do everything they can to avoid the Court's ruling.” Serpe also lists a series of other legal requests covering a set of eventualities. This includes how, if the court finds the FTC is not entitled to sovereign immunity or that the trainer is not suffering irreparable harm, “the Court simply convert his preliminary injunction motion papers into a motion for summary judgment.” Alternatively, Serpe's attorneys write, “if the Court finds that Serpe's Seventh Amendment claim is not ripe for summary judgment because the arbitration is not concluded, then Serpe respectfully requests that the Court withhold ruling on the motion for summary judgment until the arbitration is concluded, at which time the parties can submit the arbitration record and the Court can rule as a matter of law on summary judgment.” Serpe's arbitration hearing in this case is reportedly scheduled for June 5 and 6. The post Serpe Clenbuterol Case Reaches Legal Inflection Point appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Father-daughter trainers Steve Clarke and Hayley Stewart will be looking for their first training success as a partnership today at Addington Raceway. It is their fifth season of partnership from their Norwood base just outside Christchurch and so far they have recorded five placings – three of which have come this season with maiden trotter Big Al ($3.70FF) who lines up in Race 2, the Mid-Winter Christmas On Sale Now Trot over 2600m (5:04pm). Big Al, who will be driven by Steve Clarke, comes into today after a solid third on Sunday at Rangiora behind Just Easy. Clarke is no stranger to the winners circle having trained 11 winners before going into partnership with his daughter Hayley Stewart, who is looking for her first training success. “It’s a family affair. Mum’s been coming out and driving them. My husband Joe comes out and drives him every morning. Big Al’s been a bit of a project for him.” said Stewart. “He pulled up good after Sunday. He’s just had a few quiet days.” Big Al has backed up well in the past having raced at the West Coast March meetings, placing on both days. “He seems to thrive off the racing so I don’t think the small gap between races will worry him.” Stewart is hopeful that the nature of the midweek meetings will work into their favour. “He’s a really good beginner, so it really works in his favour. “It’s a small even field so they’re all a chance at these kinds of meetings.” Other chances in the event include current race favourite Brightman ($3.40FF) for trainer/driver Kyle Cameron, Ma Belle Amie ($6.00FF) for trainer/driver John Versteeg and Star Invasion ($3.90FF) for Amber Lethaby, with Sheree Tomlinson to drive. Clarke and Stewart also line up The Town Of Light in Race 4, the McMillan Equine Feeds Pace over 2000m (6:08pm) at eye watering odds ($101 FF)with Clarke to drive. “He’s still really green. It’s a bit of a drop back from his race on Sunday,” says Stewart. “We think a bit of him. It’s just taking him a while to learn the whole racing game. “He might have a wee break after today.” Swift Guy ($3.20FF) for trainer/driver Leo O’Reilly and Rockin Roman ($3.80FF) for trainer Cheree Wigg and driver Jonny Cox are somewhat loosely favoured in an even field. Clarke and Stewart are working just the two race horses at the moment having just tipped three others out for the winter. “We don’t usually work too many in the winter because dad and I both work full time – so it makes it hard to work them in the morning before we have to go.” Racing commences today from 4:24pm this afternoon. View the full article

Multiple graded stakes winner Beach Bomb ships to Aqueduct Racetrack for the $175,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G3T) May 2. The 5-year-old mare is looking for her third consecutive graded stakes victory. View the full article

This year's Alysheba Stakes (G2) drew a field of six, but owner Mike Repole is billing the May 2 race at Churchill Downs as "a heavyweight title fight" between two multiple grade 1 winners—his Fierceness and Todd Pletcher-barnmate Locked.View the full article

If the field set to go to post for the $1 million Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3 is an indication, the breadth of ability within the division will again be overflowing, and any attempt at ascendancy hard fought.View the full article

C2 Racing Stable may have left Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner White Abarrio behind in South Florida, but C2, a partnership of brothers Mark and Clint Cornett, is still coming out firing this week at Churchill Downs.View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, April 30. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Canterbury, Warrnambool and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – April 30, 2025 Canterbury Racing Tips Warrnambool Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 30, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Bee Buck, a freelance photographer for Churchill Downs who has shot six Kentucky Derbies and two Breeders' Cups, is the guest on this week's Boundless podcast, hosted by jockey and veterinarian Ferrin Peterson. Buck describes how she was a horse-crazy kid who got her start photographing polo matches. A former art history student, she said that the study of classic proportions has helped her to frame her photos and understand what she wants to shoot. “I crave constructive criticism,” she said. “If I don't have constructive criticism that's coming to me, I'm like, `What am I doing wrong?' I strive for that `I want to get better' and `I want to be the best I can be, so what can I do to improve?'” Buck describes her photography style as a “gritty-sport-artistic.” “I really love shooting the details on racing and anything to do with racing,” she said. “I love shooting the baths, and really focusing on the water and how it splashes on the horses and the movement that creates–getting that dirt flying, and getting the little details you won't see unless you look closely at it.” The Boundless podcast aims to portray stories of resilience, risk-taking, and perseverance. The current episode is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The post Photographer Bee Buck on the Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a Mehmas (Ire) half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Perfect Power (Ire). 1.10 Ascot, Cond, £20,000, 2yo, 5fT WISE APPROACH (IRE) (Mehmas {Ire}) is an intriguing newcomer in this well-contested Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial EBF Conditions Stakes, being Godolphin's 1million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase whose half-brother Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) captured the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G2 Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting here. Charlie Appleby introduces the Tally-Ho Stud-bred bay against some winners including Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Dickensian (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), a Kevin Ryan-trained relative of the sires Stroll and Patrol. 13.50 Pontefract, Novice, £8,000, 3yo, 10f 5yT MUNSIF (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is one of Shadwell's lurkers in 2025, impressing on his winning debut at Nottingham earlier this month for Roger Varian. This should be easy pickings for the homebred relative of the sire's Oaks and King George heroine Taghrooda (GB), despite the presence of Kirsten Rausing's Jeanne Baret (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), a Charlie Johnston-trained daughter of the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis heroine Lady Jane Digby (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). 15.55 Ascot, Novice, £40,000, 3yo, f, 7f 213yT VICTORY QUEEN (GB) (Kingman {GB}) comes off a debut win at Newmarket's Craven meeting with the G1 Coronation Stakes in connections' sights if she can progress quickly enough. Godolphin's half-sister to their 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) encounters The King and The Queen's authoritative Kempton winner Purple Rainbow (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a William Haggas-trained relative of the Oaks runner-up Flight Of Fancy (GB) (Sadler's Wells). The post Mehmas’s Millionaire Half To Perfect Power Unveiled By Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jeanne Marie's victory at Parx Racing earns trainer milestone win.View the full article

Bethany Taylor spoke of the thrill of her first Derby experience and provided insight into the youngster that has taken the small Louisiana-based stable to great heights as part of a diary written with Tom Pedulla for America's Best Racing:View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will celebrate the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17 with a pair of special events at the Museum.View the full article

The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland, was She Feels Pretty's only experience running the Modesty's 1 1/8-mile distance. But it was her most dominant win as she pulled away for a six-length conquest. View the full article

Voters in the NTRA top 3-year-old poll agree Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism should be the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the son of Curlin tops the final edition of that poll ahead of the year's opening classic.View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

Japan's Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona continued their acclimation exercises at Churchill Downs April 29 but finally got down to business with both colts working five furlongs in their last major pre-Derby drills.View the full article

The improving Will Then, one of the rising stars in the Southern California female turf division, trades in the Golden State for the Kentucky bluegrass when she starts in the May 2 $600,000 Edgewood Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Last year, Seize the Grey won the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) before winning the Preakness Stakes (G1) two weeks later. That's also a possibility for at least one contender in this year's $600,000 race: Built. View the full article

Ascot Racecourse publicity reported April 29 that recent Memories Of Silver Stakes winner Laurelin has been entered in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.View the full article

Two years ago, Godolphin came into the Kentucky Oaks with a serious threat in Wet Paint (Blame). The homebred was undefeated as a 3-year-old and looked every bit the part in the days leading up to the big event. She went off as the 8-5 favorite, but when the fillies hit the wire it was the other Godolphin runner, Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), who delivered the win. At 10-1 odds, she handed her connections of Godolphin, trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Tyler Gaffalione their first Oaks victory. This year, Godolphin returns to the Oaks with another heavy favorite, this one boasting a spotless record. Brad Cox trainee Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), a second-generation homebred, is the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Friday's Oaks. With a filly as good as Good Cheer, Godolphin's Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan understands the weight of expectation, but as he saw two years ago, knows that nothing is guaranteed once the starting gates open. “I think [the pressure] is more because she's undefeated and the longer you go on with an undefeated streak, you like to keep them undefeated,” he said. “You're not just going to build up a win streak. You want to try the best competition out there and when you feel like you've got one of the better fillies in the country, you're going to be running in the biggest races. She's such an easy filly to be around and because she does everything so well, it sort of gives you a bit of confidence. She probably makes the pressure a little bit less herself and makes us feel a bit better about going in there with a favorite.” It seems that through every stage of her career, Good Cheer has built a reputation for making things looks effortless. As Ben Lynch, Godolphin's Broodmare Manager at Stonerside Farm, jokingly puts it: “Even Stevie Nicks would like Good Cheer.” From the start, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro was easy on the eyes and easy on her handlers. As a yearling, she battled a significant foot issue that left her connections uncertain of whether she'd make the starting gate, but she pulled through and blossomed when sent to Bridlewood Farm for pre-training. “She was one of our top 2-year-olds going into the season,” said Banahan. “We felt like she was a later-developing type of filly, actually, and that we wouldn't really see the best of her until her 3-year-old year, but then she went to Brad and she was passing all his tests early on. I was surprised that we were getting to the track as early as we did.” From the outset, Good Cheer's connections believed that the filly was built more for stamina than raw speed. When Godolphin was looking to debut a group of 2-year-old fillies around the same time last summer, they found a mile-long maiden race for Good Cheer at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Even though she was squeezed back at the start, she wound up demolishing the field by over eight lengths. “Everyone always asks why she ran at Indiana the first time,” said Banahan. “It was a distance that we wanted and we had lots of others we wanted to run at the same time. She went up there and won well. Every time she went to the racetrack she improved and got better and better and probably surprised us with how well she did.” Wedding Toast at Stonerside Farm | Sara Gordon Even as Good Cheer quietly reeled off three more wins last year, it was her stablemate, fellow Godolphin homebred Immersive (Nyquist), who claimed the spotlight with her dominant GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies victory. When the champion 2-year-old was sidelined with bone bruising, Good Cheer stepped up this year with back-to-back wins in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes and GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Immersive is back in training with the Cox barn, but for now Good Cheer remains Godolphin's leading lady among their class of 3-year-old fillies going into the Kentucky Oaks. “Her best attribute is her professionalism and class,” noted Banahan. “Nothing phases her at all. She's just an easygoing filly and you can do anything you want with her.” Godolphin's connection with Good Cheer's family dates back to 2008, when they purchased Stonerside Farm from Robert and Janice McNair. Along with the Paris, Kentucky property came a select group of broodmares including Golden Sheba (Coronado's Quest). The unraced half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Congaree (Arazi) rewarded her new owners early on in her breeding career when she produced Wedding Toast (Street Sense). Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the filly raced to four graded stakes victories including the 2015 GI Ogden Phipps and 2015 GI Beldame Stakes. After retiring from the track, Wedding Toast joined a group of mares who traveled to be bred to Darley's European supersire Dubawi (Ire). The resulting foal, Ya Hayati, went on to become a stakes winner in Dubai. Since then, Wedding Toast's broodmare career has seen mixed results. She has been barren in four of her nine season. Wedding Toast's yearling filly is a full-sister to Good Cheer | Sara Gordon Following two foals by Tapit who made the races but never reached stakes level, Godolphin bred Wedding Toast to their flagship sire, Medaglia d'Oro. “Wedding Toast is by Street Sense, who has always done well with Mr. Prospector lines, so going to Medaglia d'Oro was a big draw there,” explained Banahan of the mating that produced Good Cheer. Last year Wedding Toast produced another Medaglia d'Oro filly, who Banahan describes as nice but a more compact version of Good Cheer. After foaling that filly, the mare colicked and did not get back in foal. This year, she returned to Medaglia d'Oro. Darley's Medaglia d'Oro looks to have a busy Kentucky Derby weekend. Along with Good Cheer, he will also have Ballerina d'Oro in the Kentucky Oaks as well as Godolphin homebred East Avenue in the Kentucky Derby. The sire will also be represented by Spirit of St Louis in the GI Turf Classic Stakes, Megalodon in the GI American Turf Stakes and Nitrogen in the GII Edgewood Stakes. As Good Cheer headlines a strong weekend lineup for Medaglia d'Oro, Godolphin is optimistic that she can build upon the legacy of both her sire and her female family. “I don't doubt that she will show up because every time she's gone to the races, she's done that,” said Banahan. “She's training super and she looks awesome. You wouldn't trade her for anyone else. Going in with an undefeated record is always difficult, but she gives everyone a lot of confidence going in there and we certainly like her chances.” The post Family Form: Good Cheer Brings Class and Confidence to Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article