Tami Bobo and Lugamo Racing Stable's Congruent, winner of the historic Laurel Futurity last fall at Laurel Park in Maryland, is rated as the third choice in a field of 12 for his next start, the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) Saturday at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.
Based at Gulfstream Park with trainer Antonio Sano, Congruent returns to Kentucky just three weeks after his last-to-first 3 ½-length upset of the 1 1/16-mile John Battaglia Memorial March 4 over Turfway's all-weather surface at odds of 16-1.
“I'm glad that he's in the mix to be one of the contenders. Obviously, it's going to be a tough race,” Lugamo's Luis Gavignano said. “There are some very talented horses in the field. Anyone is eligible to show their talent in that particular race. There are good horses in the race.”
A 3-year-old son of Grade 1 winner and noted sire Tapit, Congruent worked once since the Battaglia, a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.37 over Gulfstream's main track. Jockey Sonny Leon, aboard for the first time in the Battaglia, was up for the work.
“He had his last breeze at Gulfstream, a good work, and we shipped the horse Saturday to Turfway Park. He arrived on Sunday and since then he's been walking one day and then galloping a full turn,” Gavignano said. “He's been great.”
Leon, formerly based at Turfway, has been riding full-time at Gulfstream this winter. Last spring, Leon and Rich Strike sprung an 80-1 upset of the Kentucky Derby (G1) after running fourth in the Battaglia and third in the Jeff Ruby.
“The connection between the jockey and the horse, in my opinion, is very important. It has to be that way. You have to understand the horse, you have to know whatever the horse is doing,” Gavignano said. “I think Sonny showed that he knows the horse and he likes the horse. Sonny, it also used to be his home track. When you combine all those factors, I think we have a good chance.”
Congruent had one win, a maiden special weight triumph at Gulfstream last summer, in three starts before arriving in Maryland for the Laurel Futurity, which was rained off the grass and contested at one mile. He stalked the pace before taking a short lead into the stretch and pulling away to a 2 ½-length victory.
From there Congruent stayed on dirt for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), finishing eighth, before running third in the Pulpit, fourth in the Dania Beach and sixth to Jeff Ruby program favorite Major Dude in the Feb. 4 Kitten's Joy (G3), all over the Gulfstream turf.
“Usually the Tapits, they show more as the time goes by. I think the horse is showing now that he's more comfortable,” Gavignano said. “He's showing that he's maturing, and that's why we have the confidence that he's going to run a great race. He's moving in the right direction.”
The Jeff Ruby carries a total of 200 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points (100-40-30-20-10) to the top five finishers. Nominated to the Triple Crown, Congruent is currently ranked 14th with 20 points; the top 20 point earners gain spots in the Derby.
“We are going step by step. We'll see how he runs and comes out of the next race, and hopefully we can qualify for the Kentucky Derby,” Gavignano said. “It's the dream for everybody.”
The Kentucky Derby prep schedule is in full swing, which means it's time for detailed looks at the horses that could fill the starting gate with Andrew Champagne of Catena Media and The Saratogian's Pink Sheet.
Check back with the Paulick Report regularly for updated rankings that include news, notes, and opinions on the 3-year-olds that figure to take center stage.
There were no Kentucky Derby preps last weekend, so this Derby Bubble is going to look a bit different. In this week's edition, I'll go horse by horse and draw comparisons to runners in past Kentucky Derbies that you might remember.
With the NFL Draft a month away, think of this as a distant cousin of prospect comparisons you'll see on whatever sports network of choice you watch. If nothing else, it's a fun exercise/trip down Memory Lane, so let's get started.
Kentucky-bred contenders will be highlighted in red, and will receive additional analysis into their breeders, broodmares, and auction histories. Pedigree notes are written by Joe Nevills.
COMPARISON: Nyquist. Like Forte, Nyquist was the consensus top 2-year-old in his crop, and he came back clearly ahead of the rest of his rivals on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Others passed him later in the year, but Nyquist earned his place in history as just the second Thoroughbred to capture both the Derby and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. It's a list Forte will look to add himself to in less than two months.
Forte was bred in Kentucky by South Gate Farm, out of the multiple stakes-winning Blame mare Queen Caroline. He sold for $110,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Amy Moore of South Gate Farm bought Queen Caroline as a yearling for $170,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September sale.
#2: Instant Coffee
Bolt d'Oro colt Instant Coffee, with Luis Saez aboard, takes the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club
Pedigree: Bolt d'Oro – Follow No One (by Uncle Mo)
Owner: Gold Square LLC
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Sagamore Farm (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 32
COMPARISON: McCraken. It's easy to forget this, but McCraken won his first four races, including the 2016 G2 Kentucky Jockey Club. The closer showed a clear affinity for Churchill Downs, much like Instant Coffee, who won the 2022 renewal of that race and has since added the G3 Lecomte.
Instant Coffee was bred in Kentucky by Sagamore Farm, out of the stakes-placed Uncle Mo mare Follow No One. He hammered for $200,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Sagamore Farm purchased Follow No One for $100,000 at the 2016 OBS Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
#3: Tapit Trice
Pedigree: Tapit – Danzatrice (by Dunkirk)
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm, Gainesway Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 50
COMPARISON: Tapwrit. This is too easy. Son of Tapit? Check. Trained by Todd Pletcher? Check. G3 Tampa Bay Derby winner? Check. Looks like he wants to run all day long? You get the picture. Tapwrit was sixth in the 2017 Derby behind another horse we'll talk about later, but he put it all together five weeks later to take the Belmont.
Tapit Trice was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd., out of the Grade 3-placed multiple stakes-winning Dunkirk mare Danzatrice. Tapit Trice sold to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for $1.3 million at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. A half-sister to champion Jaywalk, Danzatrice was a $105,000 purchase by Gainesway at the 2014 OBS Spring 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale.
#4: Hit Show
Candy Ride colt Hit Show, ridden by Manny Franco, captures the Withers
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Actress (by Tapit)
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 20
COMPARISON: Early Voting. It seems lazy, but there's plenty to like about comparing the last two G3 Withers winners (say THAT five times fast). Both made their stakes debuts in that race without much prior experience, and both won easily. Early Voting skipped the Derby after running second in the G2 Wood, but, of course, took the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Hit Show was bred in Kentucky by Gary & Mary West Stables Inc., out of the Tapit mare Actress, who was herself a Grade 2 winner as a homebred for the Wests.
#5: Practical Move
Practical Move returns to work tab at Santa Anita Saturday for trainer Tim Yakteen
Breeder: Chad Brown & Head of Plains Partners (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 60
COMPARISON: McKinzie. Both runners won the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity prior to contesting the G2 San Felipe. The difference is, Practical Move had a much, much luckier trip in his renewal. While the Tim Yakteen trainee benefited from saving ground and having plenty of room turning for home, McKinzie was disqualified after a lengthy inquiry. The 2018 runner-up, though, wound up winning several important races later on, including that year's G1 Pennsylvania Derby and the 2019 G1 Whitney.
Practical Move was bred in Kentucky by Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners, out of the stakes-placed Afleet Alex mare Ack Naughty. He sold to his current ownership for $230,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring sale. Ack Naughty was recently sold, pregnant to Upstart, to Chester and Mary Broman for $500,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale.
#6: Geaux Rocket Ride
Candy Ride colt Geaux Rocket Ride is a stylish debut winner January 29 at Santa Anita
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Beyond Grace (by Uncle Mo)
Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Breeder: OXO Equine LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 20
COMPARISON: Paradise Woods. Yes, I'm comparing a colt to a filly, but in my defense, there aren't many times Richard Mandella has jumped a horse into top-tier competition off of a single maiden win. Paradise Woods romped in the G1 Santa Anita Oaks and showed herself as one of the top horses in her division multiple times. Geaux Rocket Ride, meanwhile, showed some maturity far beyond his experience when he re-rallied to run second in the G2 San Felipe.
Geaux Rocket Ride was bred in Kentucky by Larry Best's OXO Equine, out of the the unplaced Uncle Mo mare Beyond Grace. He sold for $350,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale. Best purchased Beyond Grace for $1.5 million at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
#7: Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire winning the Risen Star under Luis Saez
Pedigree: Classic Empire – Armony's Angel (by To Honor and Serve)
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Forgotten Land Investment Inc & Black Diamond Equine Corp. (PA)
Kentucky Derby points: 54
COMPARISON: Mandaloun. The fellow Cox trainee won the 2021 G2 Risen Star, faltered in the G2 Louisiana Derby, and then either won the Kentucky Derby or finished second behind Medina Spirit (depending on who you ask). Angel of Empire, meanwhile, won this year's renewal, and his form looks far better if you draw a line through September's failed try on turf at Kentucky Downs.
#8: Confidence Game
Confidence Game (Candy Ride) wins the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn on 2.25.23. Jame Graham up, Keith Desormeaux trainer, Don't Tell My Wife Stables owner.
COMPARISON: Exaggerator. This is another one that just makes too much sense. Exaggerator was a Keith Desormeaux-trained mud freak who chased Nyquist a few times before splashing his way home in the Preakness. Confidence Game is bred up and down for an off track, one he got when he won this year's G2 Rebel at Oaklawn Park.
Confidence Game was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, out of the winning Bernardini mare Eblouissante. Desormeaux signed the ticket on Confidence Game for $25,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale. Eblouissante, a half-sister to Hall of Famer Zenyatta, was purchased by Summer Wind Farm for $1,434,279, pregnant to Dansili, at the 2016 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
#9: Rocket Can
Into Mischief colt Rocket Can, guided by Junior Alvarado, wins the G3 Holy Bull from stablemate Shadow Dragon
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Tension (by Tapit)
Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing
Trainer: Bill Mott
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 40
COMPARISON: Upstart. Rocket Can's G3 Holy Bull win was the slowest renewal since the race stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in 2013. That mark was previously held by Upstart, but that's not an unflattering comparison (even though the Rick Violette trainee won just once after that). Upstart finished his career with more than $1.7 million in earnings and placed in six Grade 1 races.
Rocket Can was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC, out of the placed Tapit mare Tension. Woodford Thoroughbreds bought Tension pregnant to Curlin for $750,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale, and sold her at this year's Keeneland January sale.
#10: Raise Cain
Violence colt Raise Cain and Jose Lezcano following their win in the G3 Gotham
COMPARISON: I Want Revenge. Want to feel old? I Want Revenge overcame traffic that may as well have been imported in from Manhattan to win the Wood Memorial 14 years ago, in 2009. Raise Cain is almost certainly not of this caliber yet, but he got stopped going around the far turn in the G3 Gotham, had every excuse to give up the ghost, and instead won going away.
Raise Cain was bred in Kentucky by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Belle. He sold for $180,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds acquired Lemon Belle, pregnant to Violence, for $285,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.
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COMPARISON: Overanalyze. Overanalyze won the 2012 G2 Remsen Stakes, was eliminated by his trip in his 3-year-old debut, and bounced out of that race to win the G1 Arkansas Derby. Dubyuhnell, meanwhile, won the Remsen 10 years later and had absolutely zero chance in the G3 Sam F. Davis due to terrible racing luck. He's been working steadily in Florida since that effort, though, and figures to get one more shot at Derby points.
Dubyuhnell was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, out of the multiple Grade 3-winning Forest Wildcat mare Wild Gams, whose runners also include Grade 2 winner Cazadero, stakes winner Mt. Brave, and Grade 3-placed Almost Famous. Dubyuhnell brought $400,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, while Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings secured Wild Gams as a broodmare prospect for $1 million at the 2008 Keeneland November sale.
#12: Red Route One
Red Route One breaks his maiden at Kentucky Downs, with Vincent Cheminaud aboard
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Red House (by Tapit)
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 33
COMPARISON: Super Stock. Every year, there's at least one closer that clunks up for checks and Derby points with astounding regularity. This year, it's Red Route One, and two years ago, Super Stock fit that mold. Like his fellow Steve Asmussen trainee, Super Stock was eligible for a first-level allowance until the spring of his 3-year-old season. He then won the Arkansas Derby to earn his ticket to Louisville.
Red Route One was bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, out of the unraced Tapit mare Red House, and he is a full-brother to stakes-winner Red Run. Red House is herself a Winchell homebred, out of 2014 Broodmare of the Year Fun House, making her a full-sister to champion Untapable and a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Paddy O'Prado.
COMPARISON: Always Dreaming. This is another one too easy to pass up. Like Always Dreaming, Kingsbarns is a Todd Pletcher trainee that the Hall of Famer has taken his time with. Both won races at Tampa Bay Downs when they could've run elsewhere for more money. Always Dreaming developed and took Derbies in Florida and Kentucky. Kingsbarns will have a shot at a Derby of his own, in Louisiana, this Saturday.
Kingsbarns was bred in Kentucky by Parks Investment Group, out of the Grade 3-placed Tapit mare Lady Tapit, who is herself a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Gozzip Girl. After bringing $250,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, the colt sold to Spendthrift Farm for $800,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Select 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale.
#14: Sun Thunder
Sun Thunder
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Greenfield d'Oro (by Medaglia d'Oro)
Owner: R.T. Racing, Cypress Creek Equine
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Breeder: Southern Equine Stables, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 24
COMPARISON: Country House. The eventual 2019 Derby winner also ran second in the Risen Star in his fourth career start, the beginning of an old-school spring campaign that saw him run in four stakes races in just two and a half months. Sun Thunder, meanwhile, faces off against several horses on this list in Saturday's Louisiana Derby.
Sun Thunder was bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine Stables, out of the placed Medaglia d'Oro mare Greenfield d'Oro. He sold as a weanling for $400,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Greenfield d'Oro, a daughter of champion sprinter Maryfield, is a homebred for Southern Equine Stables.
#15: Mage
Mage breaks his maiden at first asking at Gulfstream Park
Pedigree: Good Magic – Puca (by Big Brown)
Owner: OGMA Investments, Restropo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Breeder: Grandview Equine (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 10
COMPARISON: Social Inclusion. Here's a name that'll get folks going. Social Inclusion came out of nowhere to thump Honor Code in that one's 3-year-old debut, and he set a new track record in that effort. Neither Social Inclusion nor Mage raced as 2-year-olds, but they had enough talent to dance plenty of big dances against divisional heavyweights despite their inexperience.
Mage was bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine, out of the Grade 1-placed stakes-winning Big Brown mare Puca. He brought $235,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale, then he sold for $290,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Puca sold to Grandview Equine, pregnant to Gun Runner, for $475,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
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#16: Skinner
Curlin colt Skinner kicks clear to break his maiden going a mile Feb. 12 at Santa Anita
COMPARISON: Candy Boy. Candy Boy raced in the same colors as Skinner and made a name for himself on the 2014 Derby trail. He won the G2 Robert B. Lewis before finishing third in the G1 Santa Anita Derby and 13th in the Kentucky Derby. Skinner, meanwhile, was third in the San Felipe and could still have room to grow given his relative inexperience.
Skinner was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, out of the Grade 3-winning Malibu Moon mare Winding Way. He sold for $40,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, then he was pinhooked for $510,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale. Stonestreet bought Winding Way for $660,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale.
COMPARISON: Uncle Sigh. We'll stay in 2014 for this one, as Uncle Sigh, a fellow New York-bred, hadn't been worse than second in any start leading up to that year's Kentucky Derby. Arctic Arrogance has two wins and four seconds to this point, and while he missed the Gotham earlier this month, he remains possible for the Wood Memorial, where another good showing would give him more than enough points to make the Derby field.
#18: Two Phil's
Pedigree: Hard Spun – Mia Torri (by General Quarters)
Owner: Patricia's Hope, Phillip Sagan
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Breeder: Phillip Sagan (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 23
COMPARISON: The Tabulator. Rivelli's known more for sprinters than distance-types, but The Tabulator was briefly on the 2018 Derby trail after a win in the previous year's Iroquois and a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind Good Magic. There are some distance questions with Two Phil's, but he'll have a chance to show his stamina in Saturday's Louisiana Derby and keep alive references to the greatest horse racing commercial ever made.
Two Phil's was bred in Kentucky by Phillip Sagan, out of the Grade 3-placed stakes-winning General Quarters mare Mia Torri, who Sagan acquired privately during her on-track career.
#19: Reincarnate
Reincarnate and jockey Juan Hernandez win the G3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita
Pedigree: Good Magic – Allanah (by Scat Daddy)
Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, et al
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Breeder: Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 15
COMPARISON: Bob and John. This Bob Baffert trainee won the 2006 G3 Sham 17 years before Reincarnate annexed the race earlier this season. The two horses, each not necessarily in the first string of Derby hopefuls for their particular barns at the start of their 3-year-old campaigns, also each ran third in their next starts. Bob and John went on to add the Wood Memorial, and Reincarnate likely needs another strong performance of his own to make the Derby field.
Reincarnate was bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm, out of the stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Allanah. He sold for $775,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Woods Edge Farm acquired Allanah, pregnant to Street Boss, for $105,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.
#20: Curly Jack
Good Magic colt Curly Jack takes the 2022 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs
Pedigree: Good Magic – Connie and Michael (by Roman Ruler)
Owner: Michael McLoughlin
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Breeder: Breeder: Betz/J.Betz/Burns/Camaquiki/C.Kidder/et al (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 17
COMPARISON: Lone Star Sky. We're going back 20 years for this one, as this fellow Amoss trainee also did his best work at Churchill Downs. Both runners won stakes races there as 2-year-olds before knocking heads with the best runners in their divisions. In Lone Star Sky's case, he ran 10 times before the Derby, and Curly Jack is also one of the most experienced horses in his generation.
Curly Jack was bred in Kentucky by the partnership of Betz/J.Betz/Burns/Camaquiki/C.Kidder/et al., out of the Grade 1-placed Roman Ruler mare Connie and Michael, whose runners also include stakes-placed Fannie and Freddie. Curly Jack sold to owner Michael McLoughlin for $180,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale.
The UAE Derby has long been an important race for connections seeking to have their horse compete in the Kentucky Derby with the winner attaining 100 qualifying points towards that goal, and this year's UAE Derby witnesses an international field lining up with horses from five countries set to feature.
The Japanese are mob-handed once again. Last year's winning trainer Koichi Shintani sends Goraiko, a two-time winner from five starts. On his latest start, though, he only managed fifth behind the re-opposing Perriere in the Hyacinth Stakes. Interestingly, Crown Pride was only sixth in the same race before he won the UAE Derby last year.
Perriere, the mount of Oisin Murphy, is drawn well in post 3 but he will have to reverse form with Derma Sotogake from the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun where he was a length adrift.
Derma Sotogake was a staying on third in the Saudi Derby and should relish every extra yard here with Christophe Lemaire on board.
“The horse is in extremely good condition,” said Lemaire who rode him on Wednesday morning. “He ran very well in third last time [Saudi Derby, 1,600m]. He will be competitive.”
Speaking of the Saudi Derby, fifth from the race Continuar arrives as well. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, he will jump from a wide draw in 12.
Group 1 Hopeful Stakes winner Dura Erede completes the quintet for Japan. While that win came on turf, he has won his only start on dirt when breaking his maiden.
Bob Baffert trainee Worcester heads the American contingent. Still a maiden after three starts, he has bumped into some very useful horses each time including when third in the Grade 3 Robert B Lewis Stakes to multiple stakes placed stablemate Newgate. Frankie Dettori takes the ride on him.
Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert, has been particularly pleased with how his preparations have gone: “He did a workout over five-eighths this morning [Monday] and was pretty good handling the surface. He shipped fine and the workouts have gone very well.”
Should Worcester win on Saturday, he will become the first maiden horse to win the UAE Derby and will also provide his trainer with a first UAE Derby success.
Doug O' Neill sends both Carnival winners Tall Boy and Ah Jeez. The former was a game winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas while Ah Jeez won the 7f Al Karama Stakes. William Buick has stuck with the Guineas winner with the first-time visiting Tyler Gaffalione booked for Ah Jeez.
Perhaps the most interesting contestant in this race is Aidan O' Brien's Cairo. The son of Quality Road was impressive in winning the Patton Stakes last time out, a race won by Mendelssohn before he landed this race in 2018.
The three-time UAE Derby winning trainer has remained optimistic about his colt's chances: “We are very happy with him since Dundalk, everything has gone well. We thought he would come forward plenty from it and we have been happy with his work since.
“He is running over a distance further than he has run before, but we think and hope that he should run a very big race.”
Also in the race is Es-Unico, a fast-finishing second in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, he stayed on strongly in the Saudi Derby to finish fourth.
“He has come back very well from a very good run in the Saudi Derby when he was fourth, beaten just two lengths,” said Cintra. “That distance was 1,600 metres and he will be much better over 1,900 metres on Saturday. The extra 300 metres will make a big difference.
“He races around the middle of the field and the more pace, the better for him. Joao Moreira is riding him again and it will help that he knows him better after their first experience together in Riyadh.”
The local challenge is headed by Go Soldier Go. Winner of the Al Bastakiya, the Fawzi Nass trainee has finished on the podium in all career starts and will be bearing the flag for the recently introduced Dubai Breeze-Up Sale from which he graduated last year.
The other two local challengers – Mr Raj and Lahresh – are also both graduates of the inaugural Dubai Breeze-Up Sale. Mr Raj will be partnered by regular rider Ray Dawson, with Mickael Barzalona picking up the ride on Lahresh.
With a strong US, Japan and local representation, this year's UAE Derby promises to be a belter.
Patricia's Hope LLC and Phillip Sagan's Two Phil's has been on the Road to the Kentucky Derby since October and now the talented 3-year-old colt will attempt to etch his name in the “Run for the Roses” starting gate in Saturday's $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade 3) at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by Larry Rivelli, Two Phil's workman-like all-dirt resume includes a victory in the Street Sense Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, a runner-up finish to Instant Coffee in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and third-place finish to Angel of Empire and Sun Thunder in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. The Jeff Ruby Steaks will be Two Phil's first race on a Tapeta surface.
“The horse did a two-minute lick for me one time over a synthetic surface and it was almost an eye-opening move,” Rivelli said. “I've been trying to think of the easiest spot for the money and I think this will be the spot. If he absolutely hates the surface, that's on me. I'm sort of putting myself out there saying that I think he will run well over it. Working a half-mile or five-eighths is a lot different than running a race. That's when you find out if a horse doesn't like a surface. I'm pretty confident he will like it but like anything else in racing there could be a chance he doesn't like it. I didn't think he'd like the mud at Churchill (in the Street Sense) until he did.”
Two Phil's already has 23 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Rivelli is confident the son of Hard Spun belongs with the top 3-year-olds.
“He definitely belongs with the top horses in this crop,” Rivelli said. “Is he capable of taking this next step? Who knows? There are going to be horses that start falling off but as long as no horses like Justify or American Pharoah come out of the woodwork, it could be a Derby this year that you could throw a dart.”
Another constant on Two Phil's resume is his jockey Jareth Loveberry. In the last six starts, Loveberry has been in the saddle. However, Loveberry nearly had to miss the Jeff Ruby Steaks when he suffered a hairline fracture in his fibula during a gate mishap on March 2 at Fair Grounds. Luckily, Loveberry was able to return to action two weeks later.
“Jareth is our guy,” Rivelli said. “He's a tough kid anyway but he might have been like the actor in the movie Seabiscuit when he tied the stick to his leg to make sure he was able to ride. After that happened, I was instantly scrambling for a jockey. I had a bunch that were dying to ride the horse but it's really good Jareth is able to ride.”
Two Phil's will break from post No. 10 in the Jeff Ruby Steaks and was tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds behind Major Dude (2-1).
“I'm just looking for him to get an uneventful trip if that's at all possible. He's not a speed horse, which is good because they typically don't do as well over the synthetic surface. If he can sit behind a horse or two and make his move around the turn with the shorter stretch, that's what I'd like to see.”
The Jeff Ruby Steaks, a Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series qualifier, will go as Race 12 of 13 with a post time of 6:25 p.m. (all times Eastern) First post for the stellar program will be 12:45 p.m. Along with the Jeff Ruby Steaks, stakes-laden card will also feature the 41st running of the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks; the 23rd running of the $300,000 TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic (Listed); the 37th running of the $250,000 Animal Kingdom Stakes; the 41st running of the $250,000 Latonia Stakes; and the 36th running of the $250,000 Rushaway.
The Jeff Ruby Steaks will offer the top 5 finishers points on a 100-40-30-20-10 scale towards a spot in the starting gate for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Here is the complete field for the Jeff Ruby Steaks in order of post position (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):
1. Major Dude (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher, 2-1)
2. Scoobie Quando (Luan Machado, Ben Colebrook, 15-1)
3. Event Detail (Walter Rodriguez, Paulo Lobo, 20-1)
4. Funtastic Again (Gerardo Corrales, Wesley Ward, 6-1)
5. Maker's Candy (Umberto Rispoli, Mike Maker, 12-1)
6. Baby Billy (Joe Talamo, Jack Sisterson, 30-1)
7. Bluebirds Over (Edgard Zayas, Saffie Joseph Jr., 12-1)
