Tag: Kentucky Derby

Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: ‘I’ve Not Experienced Or Felt Anything Like I Do Now’

William Strauss owns one-quarter of Kentucky Derby contender Hot Rod Charlie, last-out winner of the Louisiana Derby, and garnered instant social-media fame due to an ecstatic TVG interview filmed after the 3-year-old colt's front-running victory at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

“I'm an incredibly even-keel, non-emotional guy,” Strauss told the KHBPA's Jennie Rees earlier this week. “”I have a son that's 33 and a daughter that's 30, and even they were impressed by how I was 'trending' on Twitter from that interview. I don't know where that came from. I had no idea I even had that in me. People are always telling me, 'Oh, we've never seen you like that.' Well, I've never been like that.”


The co-founder and CEO of ProFlowers.com, an online flower company, Strauss has owned a share in two Breeders' Cup winners and a total of seven Grade 1 winners. There's something entirely different about having a horse headed for the first Saturday in May.

“Before I got involved in ProFlowers, I didn't know the difference between a flower and tulip, except for the first Saturday in May,” Strauss quipped. “I knew those were roses.”

He'd attended the Kentucky Derby before, as a guest of Chris McCarron in the year 2000, but said that experience pales in comparison to this year beneath the Twin Spires in Louisville, Ky.

“It was fun to come to the Derby, and it was a good life experience,” Strauss said. “But to have a horse in it, it's a completely different level of probably anything I've ever done in my life. I've not experienced or felt anything like I do now, having a horse in the Kentucky Derby.”

The other owners in Hot Rod Charlie include Gainesway Thoroughbreds; Roadrunner Racing, operated by the retired Silicon Valley advertising executive who worked with Steve Jobs on the Apple account three days a week, Greg Helm; and Boat Racing, operated by trainer Doug O'Neill's nephew, Patrick O'Neill, a 26-year-old Brown graduate and vice president for sales and strategic partnerships at Founder Sport Group.

Roadrunner Racing is comprised of a half-dozen retired country club members and their wives from Palm Springs, Calif., and led by Helm.

Boat Racing is comprised of a group of five fraternity brothers of Theta Delta Chi at Brown University who were also teammates on the football team: Eric Armagost, Dan Giovacchini, Reiley Higgins, Patrick O'Neill, and Alex Quoyeser. The syndicate was named for a drinking game they played in college.

At Tuesday's post-position draw, in which Hot Rod Charlie drew the nine-hole, Boat Racing led the chorus of cheers after the position was announced.

“We (the trainer and his sizable contingent of owners, including five former college football players who are in their 20s) decided we were going to give it a pump no matter what post we drew,” O'Neill told Churchill publicity. “But we're delighted with the nine. It's a real good post. And the way they load this field, it means we won't be standing in the gate very long. They'll put us in, then one other and we're gone. We're really happy with it.”

Owners of Hot Rod Charlie cheer at Tuesday's post position draw

Hot Rod Charlie is a half-brother to Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Mitole, so early expectations for the son of Oxbow were for him to enjoy shorter distances. He sold for just $17,000 as a short yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February Mixed Sale, and was pinhooked through the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling sale, at which he brought a final bid of $110,000 from bloodstock agent Dennis O'Neill, the trainer's brother.

Though it took him several starts to break his maiden for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O'Neill, Hot Rod Charlie did so in impressive enough fashion in his fourth race that O'Neill sent him straight to Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Sent off as the longest shot in the field at 94-1, Hot Rod Charlie finished second, beaten just three-quarters of a length by Champion Essential Quality.

“We were so happy to finish second, which I've never been happy to finish second at anything in my life, but it's what it symbolizes,” Strauss explained. “It symbolized that we were a legitimate horse on the Derby trail. That's when we realized we had something there, and he could really be good, and he's continued to get better and better, and he's a happy horse.

“I tell people that it's like the first time that you're in love. It's the first thing that you think about when you wake up, it's the last thing you think about when you go to sleep, and you think about it every minute in between. Literally it's been like that since the Breeders' Cup race.”

This year, Hot Rod Charlie had a bit of a rough trip when finishing third, beaten just a neck for the victory, in the G3 Bob Lewis Stakes at his home track of Santa Anita Park in late January. O'Neill sent the colt to Fair Grounds to contest the G2 Louisiana Derby in March, and Hot Rod Charlie grabbed the lead shortly after the start and held it all the way through to the wire, earning himself the coveted spot in the starting gate for this Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Hot Rod Charlie will get a new pilot for the Run for the Roses, Flavien Prat, who was awarded victory in the 2019 Kentucky Derby when the horse first across the wire, Maximum Security, was disqualified.

Strauss is feeling confident that Hot Rod Charlie and Team O'Neill, including Hall of Fame racehorse-turned-stable-pony Lava Man, who shipped to Louisville with the colt, are up to the task.

The “Coach,” Hall of Famer Lava Man, ponies Kentucky Derby contender Hot Rod Charlie at Churchill Downs

“If we cross that finish line first, if we're fortunate enough and lucky enough, and the horse is good enough, stay tuned,” said Strauss. “I just don't know; I've never showed that kind of emotion before, and I don't know what's ahead of me.

“I was fortunate enough to open Wall Street one time when we took our company public, and that was pretty exciting. It's far more exciting to have a $20,000 claimer cross the finish line first. It's that adrenaline rush, it's the competition… and just to be around the horses in the mornings. They all have such different personalities, and you can come feed them a carrot. There's just something very, very special about this whole game.”

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Churchill Downs Issues Reminder Of Kentucky Derby Health And Safety Protocols For Spectators

In advance of the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) on Saturday, Churchill Downs Racetrack is reminding guests of the health and safety protocols in place to host America's greatest race. The Kentucky Derby, first staged in 1875, is the longest continually-held major sporting event in the United States.

Owing to physical distancing protocols and other safety measures in place, Churchill Downs is limiting the number of reserved seats to 40 to 50 percent capacity and up to 60 percent in certain private premium areas that allow social distancing. Additionally, Infield-Only general admission ticket sales are limited to approximately 25 to 30 percent of capacity in the spacious, outdoor 22-acre Infield.

Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Week Health and Safety Operations Plan was developed in close collaboration with public health experts and adheres to the industry-specific guidance for “Venues and Event Spaces,” “Restaurants and Bars” and “Retail Businesses.” Current CDC recommendations guided the formation of the plan. Advice and counsel from the Louisville Metro Health Department along with key elements of Kentucky's Healthy at Work guidance are incorporated throughout the document.

“We've received an exceptional level of guidance from medical experts and public health authorities, and this plan will allow the reduced number of spectators in attendance to celebrate Kentucky Derby 147 in a safe and responsible way,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson said.

All attendees should perform a health self-assessment prior to their arrival at Churchill Downs. Anyone with an elevated temperature or illness should refrain from attending.

Although the Kentucky mask mandate was lifted for outdoor events of less than 1,000, state mask requirements still apply for guests of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby due to attendance in excess of 1,000. Protective face coverings/masks are required for all guests unless seated while actively eating or drinking. Guests will be encouraged to socially distance themselves from others when possible.

In addition, Churchill Downs has implemented a Compliance Ambassador program to drive awareness and adoption of public safety measures. Signage is placed throughout the facility, including the Infield, to remind guests to wear masks and practice social distancing. Messaging also will be programmed on television monitors including the 171' x 90' Panasonic TV Screen known as the “Big Board.”

Compliance of Churchill Downs' public safety measures is a condition of admittance. Offenders will receive a warning; repeat offenders will be escorted from the property without a refund.

The post Churchill Downs Issues Reminder Of Kentucky Derby Health And Safety Protocols For Spectators appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Quality’ Team Behind Unbeaten Derby Favorite

LOUISVILLE, KY – Two years ago, Brad Cox got the phone call that every trainer wants to receive.

“I got a call one day from Jimmy Bell and he said that he'd like to meet me at Churchill one morning,” Cox said of his initial conversation with the Godolphin USA president. “It was an honor to get a call like that. We met in my office and he said that they'd like to send us some 2-year-olds. You knew there were gonna be runners in that group and that they'd all have pedigree. There was no doubt about it.”

From the second crop of juveniles sent Cox's way, a gray son of leading sire Tapit quickly began to stand out from the rest at the 41- year-old's Keeneland division.

“I remember the first time we breezed him,” Cox said. “I looked at my assistant and said, 'Wow, this horse acts like he can win the Belmont.' He just never stopped. He just kept going and going and you're like, 'Woah, we did too much with him.' Then he walks off the track like he did nothing. He gave us a lot of confidence when we led him over there the first time and he's continued to do so every time we've run him.”

He, of course, is unbeaten 2-year-old champion and GI Kentucky Derby 2-1 morning-line favorite Essential Quality (Tapit). Sporting a five-for-five record, led by wins in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, the versatile Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' remained perfect following a hard-fought decision in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 3. He previously kicked off his sophomore campaign with a visually impressive performance in the slop in Oaklawn's GIII Southwest S.

“He's moved forward from two to three,” Cox said. “I think he needs to move forward again to win the Derby and I think he can.”

Bell added, “What he's done, it's been a tremendous morale booster for our overall operation. Given the fact that he's a homebred, it just adds so much more to it. We know how special this is and embrace just really what he's accomplished. He's taken us all on such an incredible ride. You've got to dream a little bit in this business.”

Essential Quality's graded stakes placed-dam Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality) is a daughter of the unraced Contrive (Storm Cat). The latter produced champion Folklore (Tiznow), heroine of the 2005 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Contrive was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed's operation for $3 million in foal to Pleasantly Perfect at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Delightful Quality, also represented by a 2-year-old filly by Uncle Mo, was barren for 2020-21. She was covered again by Tapit this spring.

“We have a collaborative, team effort there [to plan matings] and it was a very good, physical match,” Bell said of the Tapit–Delightful Quality pairing that produced Essential Quality. “She had plenty of speed and Tapit gives you plenty of stamina. The Gone West mares go well with Tapit as well. Each had a little something that maybe you'd like to see in the other.”

The Cox and Godolphin tandem, born in 2019, have also been represented thus far by 2020 GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Oklahoma Derby winner Shared Sense (Street Sense); this term's Bourbonette Oaks heroine Adventuring (Pioneerof the Nile); multiple stakes winner Hieronymus (Girolamo); and the stakes-placed Amongst (Into Mischief). Cox currently has approximately eight head for Godolphin, and in a couple of weeks, will receive another shipment of 15 juveniles.

“I'm really proud to train for them,” Cox said. “Just a class act all the way around. Their outfit is a power in the Thoroughbred industry throughout the world.”

Formed in 1994, Godolphin–recognized three times at the Eclipse Awards as outstanding owner (2009, 2012 & 2020)–has won no fewer than a staggering 255 Grade/Group 1 races worldwide. In 2015, Godolphin merged with Darley Stud to form one company and racing stable in the U.S. As Godolphin began expanding its training roster in search of more of a midwest presence, trainers like Michael Stidham, Cox and Brendan Walsh were easy choices to join the team, per Bell.

“That sort of opened up a different roster,” Bell said. “Brad had just won an Oaks [with Monomoy Girl], showing adept handling of a top filly like that, and obviously bigger things were yet to come. He really was what we were looking for–a young trainer, like himself, as well as Brendan, in that Midwest area.”

Bell continued, “Like all things, it's a bit of an evolutionary process. Initially, early days the primary goal was to compete in New York. That's the top racing circuit and that's obviously where we aspire to compete. As the numbers grew and not everything fit, it gave us an opportunity sort of to step back and really look at the overall geographic spread. Racetracks like the Fair Grounds and Oaklawn, as well as the racing in Kentucky, have improved dramatically, and that trio right there [Stidham, Cox and Walsh] really covered a lot of racing opportunities.”

With a deep U.S. training roster that also includes Hall of Famer Bill Mott, any particular reason why Essential Quality headed Cox's way after learning his early lessons with Niall Brennan in Ocala, Florida?

“The short answer: fortuitous,” Bell replied with a laugh.

“Longer answer is: we have a process we go through. We work very closely with our pre-trainers–David Scanlon, Niall Brennan, Eddie Woods and Meda Murphy at Bridlewood. [Chief Operating Officer, Godolphin USA] Dan Pride and all of us go down there [to Florida] and see a good three-eighths breeze, and, as scientific as you can be, basically get into three baskets of A's, B's and C's. And from there, we sit down and try to divide them up equally and accordingly.”

In addition to the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May, Godolphin's well-spread 'A team' of 3-year-olds this year also included: the Stidham-trained GII Risen Star S. and GIII Lecomte S. runner-up Proxy (Tapit); 'TDN Rising Star' Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro), who lines up for Walsh in Saturday's GII Pat Day Mile S. on the Derby undercard; and the highly regarded 2-year-old key race maiden winner Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), currently on the comeback trail for Mott.

Two of the top older handicap horses in the country, meanwhile, Godolphin's 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and Maxfield (Street Sense), winner of the 2019 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and 2021 GI Santa Anita H. third, are trained by Stidham and Walsh, respectively. Maxfield is entered in Friday's GII Alysheba S. on the GI Kentucky Oaks program.

“Having the good fortune of having more than one good 3-year-old, 2-year-old or older horse, you really would like to have it work out that way that they all end up in each one of their operations,” Bell said.

Cox can certainly relate. This will be the first year that the native of Louisville is represented in the Kentucky Derby. He will also lead over Juddmonte homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Mandaloun (Into Mischief), winner of the GII Risen Star S.

Last year's Eclipse Award-winning trainer's rapidly growing highlight reel is topped by a pair of GI Kentucky Oaks victories and seven Breeders' Cup wins. He also has two chances for an Oaks hat trick with the race's co-second choice and 'TDN Rising Star' Travel Column (Frosted) and longshot Coach (Commissioner).

Cox, a former assistant to Dallas Stewart, struck out on his own in 2004.

“We walked over for Dollar Bill in the Monarchos year in 2001,” Cox said of the former Stewart trainee. “So, I've done a walkover, but looking forward to this one for sure. I grew up by the track and the first Derby I was at was Lil E. Tee–Pat Day's first Derby winner [in 1992].”

He continued, “It's always been the goal to get to the Derby. I've always said I just don't want to be in the Derby, I want to win the Derby. I'm a competitive person. I know the Derby and the Oaks are not races you show up and just win year in and year out. Horse racing is tough. Even if you're doing well and winning at 25% of the time, you're getting beat 75% of the time. To be in a position we're in, I feel very fortunate and thankful. But our team is competitive and we want to execute. I always believed that we could get here and win it. I'm hopeful that this is the year with one of these colts.”

Believe it or not, a native of Louisville has never saddled the winner of the Kentucky Derby in 146 previous renewals. Cox grew up just blocks from Churchill Downs on Euclid Avenue in the south end of Louisville.

“I would never use the words stress, worried or pressure,” said Cox, who is proudly assisted by his two sons, Bryson and Blake. “I honestly don't feel that. I really don't. We obviously have a large stable and stay busy. Not all of my attention is on Essential Quality winning the Kentucky Derby. We have plenty on our plate to keep us busy and occupied.”

Cox continued with a laugh, “Honestly, I think I'll get a little nervous. But once I leg up the riders and the horses are on the track, it could be a long 10 minutes. We'll see how it goes.”

During a December 2015 interview in TDN, Cox said that his goal for the following season was to win his first Grade I race. With that mission accomplished in spades, he has a new target these days. And it's right in front of him for the taking.

“That chase for that Derby,” Cox said. “I'm hopeful that we can pick one off this year. And I have a strong feeling that if we were able to do that, you know, number two would be something we would be after next. These good horses. When you have good horses, it's easy to get up in the morning. We're very blessed.”

Sheikh Mohammed, meanwhile, has certainly been here before, but never with a hand quite like this.

Godolphin is winless in 11 prior attempts in the Derby. Frosted's fourth-place finish in 2015 was the ruler of Dubai's best finish to date. Godolphin's other Derby starters include: Worldly Manner (seventh, 1999); China Visit (sixth) and Curule (seventh, 2000); Express Tour (eighth, 2001); Essence of Dubai (ninth, 2002); Regal Ransom (eighth) and Desert Party (14th, 2009); Alpha (12th, 2012); Thunder Snow (Ire) (DNF, 2017); and Enticed (14th, 2018). Sheikh Mohammed was also represented by a pair of starters in the 1992 Derby–eighth-place finisher Arazi (co-owned with Allen Paulson) and 13th-place finisher Thyer.

“First and foremost, he enjoys and embraces competition, especially on the world stage,” Bell concluded. “There's no question about it, winning the Derby is a passion of his and a pursuit of his. He's very philosophical about this, and if it's meant to be, it will be. He believes so much in the power of positivity. If there's any pressure, it's self-inflicted. And I think you see that throughout the whole operation, it really comes from the top. He understands it and we're all in this together.”

The post ‘Quality’ Team Behind Unbeaten Derby Favorite appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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McLaughlin Returns To Louisville In New Role To Chase Elusive Derby Win With Godolphin

Longtime trainer-turned-jockey agent Kiaran McLaughlin has an extra special rooting interest in this year's Kentucky Derby. Not only does he represent Luis Saez, the jockey seeking his first garland of roses (for the second time) aboard morning-line favorite Essential Quality, but he also has more than a quarter century-long association with that colt's owner/breeder, Godolphin.

“Of course, I'm pulling for Godolphin and it's easy to pull for Luis because I work for him and he's such a great kid,” McLaughlin told Alicia Hughes of TVG's Horse Racing Insider this week. “Godolphin is a special story if they could win this race. It's a huge team and a great team here in America that basically I worked with for about 25 years, so it is special to think we're there and have a big chance. And it would be very special for Luis being that he won (the Derby) two years ago but didn't get to keep it (when Maximum Security was disqualified for interference). That was very difficult.”

McLaughlin stepped away from training horses full time 13 months ago, when Saez' agent Richard DePass retired. McLaughlin, now 60, struggled with the rising cost of business in his home base of New York, as well as workforce issues, and said the decision to leaving training for the jockey agent's role was an easy one.

As a trainer in the Kentucky Derby, McLaughlin's best finish was a fourth with Frosted in 2015. With Saez' mount on Essential Quality, this could be the year that both McLaughlin and the global racing operation Godolphin both get their first win in the Run for the Roses.

Read more at TVG's Horse Racing Insider.

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