The second leg of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, in which points are awarded to the top 5 finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale, is one of the more unique experiences in Thoroughbred racing for owners. Oftentimes, any bystander near the connections of the runner-up would think that those people jumping around and celebrating had just won the race.
That was likely the case for anyone standing near the connections of Flying Mohawk as the teams behind Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, and Kaleta Racing were screaming and jumping for joy inside Turfway Park's owner's suite March 22. The Karakontie colt had just finished second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), but likely clinched a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate at Churchill Downs May 3.
"We acted like we won the race," said Two Eight Racing's Jayson Werth, a former Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion. "I'm happy for my group. We're going to go to the Kentucky Derby, that's wild."
Joining Werth in the celebration were co-owners Jeff Berry and Shawn Kaleta, both of whom have recently joined the sport thanks to Werth.
Like Werth, Berry also has a background in baseball. He was a catcher during his time at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and also spent some time in the Boston Red Sox minor league system. Now, Berry is an agent for baseball players and is the co-head of Creative Artists Agency's baseball division. Flying Mohawk is just the second horse in which the Owensboro, Ky. native has been involved.
"I got into horse racing because of Jayson Werth," said Berry. "My whole theory on this: hitters hit. Jayson, what he's meant to this sport, what we're doing—it's an incredible experience."
Likewise, Flying Mohawk is one of the first two horses in which Kaleta has been involved. Kaleta is a real estate and hotel developer on Florida's Anna Maria Island, just south of Tampa, and CEO of Prime Vacations.
With jockey Joseph Ramos aboard, Flying Mohawk was shuffled to the back of the 12-horse Jeff Ruby field after some bumping at the start. From there, Ramos kept a tight hold on the reins for several moments as they raced around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch.
Launching a rally on the far turn, Flying Mohawk started picking off horses as he swung wide into the stretch. Eventual winner Final Gambit drew alongside even further outside, drifting in just a touch and causing Flying Mohawk to briefly brush with Maximum Promise. Final Gambit would pull away to a 3 1/2-length triumph but Flying Mohawk stayed the course and outran Maximum Promise by a half-length for the Derby-clinching position.
"It's surreal. These horse races are nuts," said Werth. "I've played in some really big games, but never got emotions. There was no nerves, no emotions, just business. I had some big wins that we celebrated, tough losses that really hurt, but this is all bottled up in a two-minute race. For 15 minutes the horses are walking around (in the paddock) and you're losing your mind."
"I think he could've won this race, he didn't have an easy trip," said Berry. "It's like, you know what, I'll put this horse in the Derby any day of the week. When you have Jayson Werth on your side, winning is what we do."
In the jubilation of celebrations, it seemed like a near certainty that Flying Mohawk will take one of the 20 starting positions for the 1 1/4-mile journey on the first Saturday in May. However, there is still the question about surface. With a pedigree that supports a career on turf and a lack of dirt racing on his past performances, there is still a conversation to be had about racing in the $1 million American Turf Stakes (G1T) over 1 1/16 miles on Derby day instead.
"I'm sure we'll give it some thought, but if you got 50 points I don't know how you say no," Werth said. "He's such a cool horse. Trouble doesn't bother him, nothing bothers him. He got in trouble there and got up for second. The Derby is going to be similar. He trains great on dirt. We'll talk to (trainer) Whit (Beckman) before we make any real decisions."
READ: Werth Hoping for Derby Chance With Flying Mohawk
Beckman himself, who originally hatched the idea of running in the Jeff Ruby, was pleased with the performance. The trainer was at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Saturday morning to watch other stable stars Simply Joking and Honor Marie breeze before flying in for the Jeff Ruby, arriving about two hours before the race.
"Everybody's pretty excited, he ran a big race," Beckman said. "We didn't know how he was going to react to (synthetic). To finish the race like that, we're just excited."
Beckman plans to ship Flying Mohawk and other members of his Turfway string, which includes Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Drexel Hill, to his barn at Churchill Downs following Turfway's closing day March 29.
"We're going to let things settle a little bit and have some discussions about (the Derby) because I do think we have one of the best turf 3-year-olds," Beckman said. "We'll see if it's going to be an emotional call, a rational call, or whatever it is. I'm here for the owners—that's what I do—and whatever they want to do, I'm fine with."
