When it comes to consistency on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail this season, Built has been the model.
The Wayne Catalano-trained son of Hard Spun has hit the board in each of the first three prep races held at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, including a victory in December's Gun Runner Stakes. However, the final race in the series, the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) March 22, will be the deciding factor on whether Built will run for the roses.
"At this time of year, the biggest question as it relates to the Derby isn't necessarily quality, but whether horses can handle the distance," Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners president and founder Aron Wellman said on the Feb. 24 episode of the BloodHorse Monday podcast. "That's a question he's going to have to answer on his own."
BloodHorse Monday is a new, hour-long podcast hosted by BloodHorse in partnership with Louisville, Ky.-based radio host Louis Rabaut. The show can be accessed on BloodHorse's YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, ESPN Louisville+ and espnlouisville.com. The show also airs in Louisville on ESPN 680/105.7, as well as other stations throughout the country.
In each of his last two performances, a runner-up finish in the 1 1/16-mile Lecomte Stakes (G3) and a third in the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star Stakes (G2), Built has run against a potential track bias. In the Lecomte, he raced along the inside of a sloppy racetrack that was deeper than the outer lanes. Frontrunners performed very well throughout the card on Risen Star day, which concluded with Magnitude taking the field gate-to-wire in a 9 3/4-length romp.
"I think if you look at the dynamics of his last two races, he really has had to run against the grain," Wellman said. "But it brings us back to the question: does he really want the classic distance?"
Wellman is confident the 3-year-old colt will answer that question in the Louisiana Derby, which at its 1 3/16-mile distance is the longest American prep race for potential Derby starters. Should he perform well, all signs point to Built taking one of the 20 positions in the gate. If he displays that he would prefer not to run 1 1/4 miles, Wellman said a race like the Pat Day Mile (G2) on Derby day could be a more suitable option.
"He's a very versatile individual, and he just keeps showing up time and time again," Wellman said. "As long as he keeps telling us that he's in good form and in good health and willing to run in these big races, we're going to keep allowing him to prove whether he belongs or not."
Another horse in the Eclipse barn looking to continue proving himself is the Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism, who is expected to make his 3-year-old debut March 1 in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. Eclipse co-owns the colt with Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta.
"Journalism truly has star quality written all over him," Wellman said. "Within a seven week time span from when he sprinted in his debut, he went and took care of business impressively in the Los Alamitos Futurity."
Journalism has not raced since the Dec. 14 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) after which he developed a minor illness.
"We're viewing (the illness) as a little bit of a blessing in disguise," Wellman said. "It allowed us to take a step back, get him refreshed and rejuvenated for what we hope is going to be a big-time sophomore campaign."
Wellman said the colt has filled out physically and that connections have little concern about his ability to accomplish the 1 1/4-mile distance should he qualify for the Kentucky Derby. With 10 points already, a victory in the San Felipe would guarantee a starting position.
In addition, Wellman said he sees a lot of the sire, Curlin , in Journalism. Some of Eclipse's best fillies are by Curlin and Wellman is excited to have "hit the jackpot" with a Curlin colt.
During the full 25-minute interview, Wellman also discussed how his involvement with 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom while vice president of Team Valor International has shaped his decisions on the Derby trail, his relationship with trainers Catalano and McCarthy, what Eclipse looks for in colts at the sales, and more.
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