Tom Pedulla, of America's Best Racing, offers takeaways from the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3, the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks May 2, and other major developments during a memorable weekend of racing at iconic Churchill Downs.
TEAM EFFORT
History will record that Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott registered his second Kentucky Derby victory Saturday with Godolphin homebred Sovereignty. Mott was the first to emphasize the team nature of such success. "I'm so proud of everyone who had anything to do with the horse to get him to this point," he said. "It takes a family and takes a community to get him ready. From the matings to raising them as babies to breaking them as 2-year-olds, we were so lucky to get him in the barn. It's just a special feeling to have it happen for the team." The Into Mischief colt has won half of his six starts with a pair of second-place efforts for earnings of $3,672,800.
WORTH THE SHOT
The main question surrounding Final Gambit was how he would respond to his first race on dirt. He had qualified for the Derby by winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the all-weather surface at Turfway Park. Dirt, and, in Saturday's case, an off track, can be a very different game. That is why trainer Brad Cox was greatly encouraged when the Not This Time colt rallied from far back to be fourth in the Derby. "I'm really proud of the effort," he said. "With this big of a field, it's really hard to close from last, but that's his style. This gives us confidence to try a fast dirt surface in the future."
SOLID EFFORT
Trainer Brian Lynch was concerned that Owen Almighty might not get the Derby's stamina-testing 1 1/4-mile distance. It turns out he was correct in that. Still, the fifth-place finish speaks to the 3-year-old's quality and what he might be able to accomplish when asked to cover less ground. "For a horse that was questionable to get the mile and a quarter, he did very well," Lynch said. "He actually made the lead inside the quarter-pole and then held on for fifth. We're delighted with his effort." Jockey Javier Castellano was pleased with his trip but noted that his mount "got tired a little bit."
SUPER IMPRESSIVE
When undefeated Good Cheer's trip in the Kentucky Oaks is scrutinized, her resounding 2 1/4-length victory is all the more impressive. She made contact with each of the rivals beside her when she broke from the starting gate. She was in the three or four path rounding the first turn. She went five wide entering the stretch as supremely confident jockey Luis Saez made sure to give her a clear run. Once asked, Good Cheer overpowered her rivals for her seventh win in as many starts and her first grade 1 triumph. She has controlled her seven starts by a combined margin of 44 1/2 lengths, leading Saez to describe her as a "very special filly." Trainer Brad Cox said all major grade 1 races for 3-year-old fillies will be in play. That comes as great news for a fan base wondering just how good Good Cheer can be.
RECORD PERFORMANCE
So much for the theory that Fierceness came in 15th in last year's Kentucky Derby because he was unable to handle the Churchill Downs surface. He all but flew over the track Friday in setting a track record of 1:40.66 for 1 1/16 miles in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) while besting Most Wanted by 1 1/2 lengths. Successful Dan had held the previous mark at 1:41.04 in the 2012 Alysheba. Victorious Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, not the excitable sort, was excited. "A track record at Churchill Downs," he said, "that's a really big deal." Up next for Fierceness: the June 7 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
