The decision on whether to run Built in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) is still up in the air. Luckily for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Wayne Catalano, the colt himself is still just going about his business, and doing it well.
The Hard Spun colt's final preparation for Derby day—whether for the Derby or the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2)—went as well as you could ask for. He completed a smooth five furlongs with jockey Ben Curtis aboard in a bullet :59 2/5, the only one of nine horses to work the distance at Churchill Downs April 24 in under a minute.
"We were looking to do a good bit of work today, let him use himself and get a bit out of it," Curtis said. "He hit the pole relaxed and comfortable, we picked it up all the way around. He came around to the seven-eighths fantastic. I let him gear down from there. He'd done enough at that stage. He moved great, he felt great. I think everyone was very happy after the breeze."
Curtis' assessment was correct, as Catalano said he was indeed very happy with the breeze.
"I liked the way he finished up, came home in 23 (seconds for the final quarter-mile)," Catalano said.
With the final breeze out of the way, focus now turns to making a final decision. Entries for the Derby will be taken the morning of April 26. Catalano and Eclipse's president and founder, Aron Wellman, will huddle after seeing how the colt emerges from the workout, likely making a decision April 25.
"We'll see how he worked, how he comes out of it, and I'll talk to Aron and go from there," Catalano said. "As far as the horse goes, right now looks good, worked good, scoped good, I'm happy with everything."
Catalano has not saddled a horse in the Kentucky Derby since 1997 when Crypto Star finished fifth. Built had been a regular customer on Louisiana's Kentucky Derby trail this winter, starting in all four prep races contested at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. After winning the Gun Runner Stakes and finishing a close second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles, he made early moves for the lead on the far turn in the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star Stakes (G2) and 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) before flattening out in the stretch to finish third and fifth, respectively.
Many critics question the distance capabilities of the horse off those performances, but Catalano said it was hard for him to get a good read on whether the culprit of defeat was the distance or the riders moving too soon.
"If the jock waits until the quarter pole instead of the three-eighths and the half, I'm gonna get a better finish," Catalano said. "I couldn't get a good read on him, I can't get the trip that I wanted. The mile and a quarter looks like—I don't know if he can get that. The jury is going to be out for most of them anyway. It always is, right?"
Built was ridden in the Gun Runner and Lecomte by Jareth Loveberry before a change was made to Luis Saez in the Risen Star. Jose Ortiz rode Built in the Louisiana Derby. Catalano said no jockey has been decided yet.
Curtis, who rode Honor Marie to an eighth-place finish after a rough start last year in his first Derby ride, is hopeful to get the opportunity to ride in the Derby again this year.
"(Curtis) was a good pilot this morning," Catalano said. "He did what I wanted him to do."
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Should Built decide to bypass the Derby, that would benefit C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, and Stefania Farms' Neoequos. The son of Neolithic , who was third in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1), ranks 21st on the leaderboard of a race limited to 20 starters.
Hitting the work tab at Gulfstream Park for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Thursday, Neoequos breezed a half-mile in :48.43, the bullet of 16 works at the distance.
Owen Almighty Practices Rating in Thursday Breeze
Another horse who was once on the fence for the Derby was Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's Owen Almighty. When the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner placed a fading sixth in the April 8 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland after prompting the pace, it appeared the son of Speightstown was shortening up in distance for his next start in the Pat Day Mile.
However, a few days later, connections declared Owen Almighty back in contention for the Run for the Roses. Trainer Brian Lynch guided him to the track April 24 to record his first breeze since the Blue Grass, which, timing-wise, appears to be his only breeze before the Derby.
Working outside of stablemate Nosleeptilbrooklyn, Owen Almighty breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5, third fastest of nine at the distance. The rider, Antonio Orellana, kept a strong hold while rating Owen Almighty off his stablemate. He pulled alongside in midstretch before pulling away at the wire and opening up in the gallop out.
"We were just trying to get him nice and settled rating off horses going into the race with the way it is going to be pace scenario-wise," said Lynch's assistant trainer and son, Nic. "We were pretty pleased with how he started off very nice and relaxed. They quickened up as they finished up the work, and he made the move we were hoping for, and he galloped out very good. We were pleased with what we saw today."
Owen Almighty will be the second Derby starter for Brian Lynch after Classic Causeway finished 11th in 2022. Nic, 24, was not working in his dad's barn at the time and said that he was grateful to share in this experience.
"I'm very grateful that I do get this opportunity to work with my dad, It's a world-famous event," he said. "To be part of it—we're a family operation—it's very special."
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