Trainer Riley Mott knew it would be a big ask for sophomore colt Albus to go from a 1-mile and 40-yard maiden victory to the 9-furlong $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2), but the colt responded with aplomb to win the prestigious test from well off the pace April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack and punch his ticket to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Campaigned by Pin Oak Stud, the son of Yaupon passed the test with flying colors after tracking in eighth of 12 down the backstretch under Jaime Torres. He advanced with purpose in the turn and a spot opened up between rivals at the top of the lane for him to show an impressive turn-of-foot and draw off to the 1 1/4-length score over Right to Party in a final time of 1:51.71. The effort earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure and awarded him with the maximum allotment of the 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points on offer.
Mott said the effort, which came with a trip opposite to his prominent maiden victory, gives him confidence heading into a race like the Kentucky Derby.
"He came back covered in mud, and Jaime said he wasn't fazed at all by the kickback—going around horses, splitting horses in a big field," Mott said. "It showed a lot of professionalism. I don't think the number came back that strong, but he did it in a very workmanlike fashion, and that gives you confidence potentially going into a 20-horse field."
Albus, who scratched from the Florida Derby (G1) to run at the Big A, made just his fourth start in the Wood, and his second of this campaign after his maiden victory last out on Feb. 27 at Tampa Bay Downs. Though it was a tall task to jump into graded company for Albus' first try against winners, Mott believed the talented colt would give a good account of himself.
"I was quietly confident in the horse leading up to the race based on how he was doing and how I thought he'd fit in the field," Mott said. "Down the backside, I was very pleased with the rhythm that he was in, and the pace scenario in front of him. When Jaime just started gradually picking it up going into the turn, it gave me a lot of confidence that he would be right there. It was certainly nice to see him split horses and open up at the eighth pole."
Mott added Albus emerged from the effort in good order and is slated to leave Belmont Park for Louisville April 6.
"So far, so good-jogged up well this morning and looks fine," Mott said. "He ships to Churchill Downs tomorrow."
And Albus won't be the only horse Mott will have to look forward to on Derby Day. He trains Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt for Pin Oak Stud as well, and the son of Bolt d'Oro earned his place in the Derby starting gate for his 4-length romp March 14 at Colonial Downs.
Both Incredibolt and Albus were piloted by Torres in their Kentucky Derby prep victories, and Mott was full of praise for the dual grade 1-winning jockey.
"He's a very cool, calm, and collected guy," Mott said. "He walks into the paddock, and you can just sense the confidence in him. The moment doesn't get to him at all and he acts like a seasoned veteran, which he's getting to be at this point. He's been around for a few years now and is starting to win some nice races and prove himself on the top circuits. We've clicked really well together over the last few years."
Mott, who went out on his own just four years ago, said it is beginning to sink in how special the first Saturday in May will be this year.
"It's paramount. It's what we strive for, to compete in those types of races - not just the Kentucky Derby, but we want to be in the mix for Breeders' Cups and all the big races around the country," Mott said. "To have two horses for the Kentucky Derby is extremely special, and hopefully we can keep the two horses happy and healthy and have a special month leading up to the Derby."
Right to Party Lands Enough Derby Points
Chester Broman, Sr.'s dual graded stakes-placed Right to Party finished a deep-closing second in Saturday's Wood Memorial, earning 50 Kentucky Derby points and bringing his total to 65 after a third-place finish in the Gotham Stakes (G3). The son of Constitution was subsequently nominated to the Triple Crown by trainer Ken McPeek and now sits in 12th position on the Derby leaderboard.
Right to Party showed an eye-catching turn-of-foot in the 9-furlong Wood Memorial, where he was in 11th of 12 at the half-mile call under Chris Elliott. He angled out from the inside midway through the final turn, and made up ground with every stride before angling out even wider to the center of the course in the stretch and running on gamely to edge out Ocelli for place honors and land 1 1/4 lengths back of the victorious Albus.
"That was exactly what we expected," McPeek said post-race. "We thought he would step forward with the added distance. Maybe if he could have wiggled his way through the inside he gets there, but that's still a very respectable race."
McPeek said Right to Party relished the added furlong and two turns after finishing third in the one-turn mile Gotham Feb. 28 at the Big A with a rally from last of 8.
"This horse just needed the added distance," said McPeek, who upset the 2024 Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan . "The horse had a really good winter, and he's obviously on the improve. This horse understands the task at hand, and he keeps coming and coming. The team up there has done a really good job with him, and it was great to watch."
Jimmy Jerkens, McPeek's New York assistant, said Right to Party was in good order the morning of April 5 at Belmont Park.
"He came back good, and he showed a lot of guts," Jerkens said. "He always gets in a lot of traffic because of his running style, but he deals with it, and when you get him out in the clear, he comes running."
Bred in Kentucky by Tony Holmes and Timothy C. Thornton, Right to Party was a $325,000 purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of the Emcee mare Havin' a Party, a half sister to Loving Vindication, dam of grade 1 winner Hard Not to Love and 2018 Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
