2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings – Danon Bourbon Feature
As we get ready for the Kentucky Derby and begin sorting through the past performances, videos, and speed figures, good luck trying to figure how all these lightly raced horses with two, three, and four lifetime starts are going to run at 1 1/4 miles in a 20-horse field. If that confuses you, then wait until you get to Danon Bourbon, the brilliant Japanese-trained colt who has decimated his opponents in all three of his career starts. We have absolutely no idea how good he is or how he will handle American racing, but we do know there is a story behind him that stretches all the way from Japan to a small farm in Versailles, Kentucky. So for a few minutes, forget the handicapping and enjoy the story of Danon Bourbon, while also touching on the other Japanese representative Wonder Dean. ~ Steve Haskin
Will the Sun Finally Rise on My Old Kentucky Home?
By Steve Haskin
It seemed like just another day at Darby Dan Farm, where I would spend my vacation every year. It had become my home away from home, and all the help and the stallions had become good friends.
On this particular day in 1971, I saw something that took a while to sink in. Outside the stallion barn were a Japanese group. I had no idea if they were just visitors or horsemen. Japan was still in its fledgling stage attempting to build up a racing, and especially a breeding, industry. Their only presence outside their own country were the several no-hopers they sent to the Washington D.C. International, and they were horses with mainly English pedigrees, along with an occasional Australian-bred.
I was wondering why they were at Darby Dan and why farm manager Olin Gentry was showing them the farm’s 1963 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Chateaugay. They were frantically taking photos of the stallion, sometimes falling over the bushes in their excitement. After they left I gave it little more thought and just forgot about it.
And then several months later came the news that Chateaugay had been sold to Japanese interests. At first I was shocked. Darby Dan had been the recipient of two of the greatest European horses of all time, Ribot and Sea-Bird, who had been standing at Darby Dan since 1961 and 1966, respectively, along with Ribot’s son Graustark. But the thought of selling their classic-winning son of Swaps to Japan seemed inconceivable. Yet it was true, the Japanese had bought their first Kentucky Derby winner.
Nine more Derby winners would follow — Sunday Silence, Ferdinand, I’ll Have Another, California Chrome, Animal Kingdom, War Emblem, Charismatic, Silver Charm, and Forward Pass. Amazingly, seven of the nine won both the Derby and the Preakness. Even 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah currently is standing the 2026 breeding season in Japan, and will return to the U.S. in July.
The Japanese breeding and racing industry, as everyone knows, has grown into one of the world’s great powers. In 2024, more than half a century after purchasing Chateaugay, they came within two noses of winning the Kentucky Derby when their much-traveled colt Forever Young fell just short after being manhandled by the big burly Sierra Leone the length of the stretch.
Now two years later, the Japanese are back to try again with two serious colts, who are dissimilar in every way and have taken totally different paths to get to Churchill Downs. Well, at least one of them, Wonder Dean, has already taken his path, arriving from Saudi Arabia and Dubai, while Danon Bourbon should be heading here from Japan on April 21.
With Wonder Dean already here, let’s begin by sharing his extremely fascinating career so far. How is this to start with? He will be making his seventh career start at his seventh different racetrack in four different countries, and will be ridden by his seventh different jockey from three different nationalities (Japanese, French, and Irish). He and Danon Bourbon, along with the Dubai-based Six Speed, are the only two horses in the race to have already carried and won with the Derby weight of 126 pounds. But they won going 1 3/16 miles, while Six Speed won going six furlongs.
It is important to also note that Wonder Dean’s trainer Takayanagi Daisuke came to the Derby two years ago with T O Password, who had only two lifetime starts, both won on the front end. In the Derby, however, he had a terrible start and was forced to check sharply early, dropping back to 18th. Still that far back going into the far turn, it looked for sure like a wasted trip, having a speed horse running at the back of the pack. But, shockingly, he was able to rally like a seasoned closer to finish fifth in what was a remarkable, but overlooked, performance. So it is safe to assume his trainer knows his horses and how to get to the Derby.
Unlike the previous horses who have represented Japan in the Kentucky Derby (Ski Captain 1995, Lani 2016, Master Fencer 2019, Crown Pride 2022, Derma Sotogake and Mandarin Hero 2023, and Forever Young and T O, Password 2024), the undefeated Danon Bourbon is a powerfully built U.S.-bred son of Maxfield who has shown the kind of brilliance and domination in his three victories to suggest he may have freakish ability. Wonder Again is a diminutive light-framed colt who keeps coming at you and is a relentless stretch runner. And unlike Danon Bourbon, he has seen it all and handles everything thrown at him like the quintessential professional.
But with Danon Bourbon, here is what the American horses will have to deal with.
He likely will be the shorter-priced of the two considering the following he already has and the intrigue that surrounds him as a potential superstar even though he has yet to run on a left-handed track. Americans have been busy searching YouTube and the internet to watch his three races, and the vast majority of those who have, seem to come away extremely impressed with what they saw, especially his stalking style, enormous stride, and explosive acceleration.
We are going to discuss all Danon Bourbon’s attributes and accomplishments, but one factor we have to keep in mind is that the story behind the horse is all American and about the often forgotten contributions of the smaller and lesser known breeders. But before we get into the three generations behind Blue Heaven Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and their remarkable impact on the Derby trail the past two years, let’s take a look at Danon Bourbon and what we might expect to see on the first Saturday in May.
As we mentioned in Knocking on the Door back on March 2, this imposing colt devastated his opponents in his 10-length maiden romp and easy five-length score in a weight-for-age race, run at 1 1/8 miles and 1 3/16 miles, respectively, at Kyoto Race Course. But more importantly, it was how he did it. Whether it was winning wire-to-wire in his debut or tracking the leaders in his second start, he was on cruise control both times, and in the latter, once his jockey moved his hands on him after entering the stretch he flew by the two leaders and drew several lengths clear in a matter of a few strides. In both races he just kept extending his lead with every stride and won with his ears pricked, as his rider gave him a couple of pats on the neck crossing the finish line. What makes these races even more impressive is that he came home his final three-eighths in a sensational :36 1/5 and :36 3/5, respectively.
If you’re wondering what he beat, in his second race he crushed a 9-5 Gun Runner colt named American Style, who had won his only race impressively going 1 1/8 miles, and the 7-2 Allen Star, who had won his only race going nine furlongs by eight lengths. Danon Bourbon left them in the proverbial dust with one big burst of speed.
Then came the all-important Fukuryu Stakes, the final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series, a race he had to win to have any chance of getting into the Derby field. Although he won by “only” 3 1/2-lengths, the horse he had to catch and eventually put away, the pace-setting Don Erectus, actually was good enough to tie him in overall points in the series, having already finished a good second in two of the earlier stakes in the series, the Cattleya Stakes and Hyacinth Stakes, and was coming off an impressive victory in a weight-for-age race. Also, the third-place finisher in the Fukuryu, with the endearing name Charlie, was actually the overnight favorite, coming off a resounding 10-length victory over the Nakayama track. So this was the toughest field he’s faced and he still drew off to an emphatic score, lengthening his stride once he put Don Erectus away.
Although the two of them were tied in points and Don Erectus had more lifetime earnings, only Danon Bourbon was an original Triple Crown nominee, which took precedence. So now he is about to make the long journey from Japan, as the buzz surrounding him him begins to increase and will likely continue to do so once he arrives.
Although Danon Bourbon was bred, born, and rasied on a small farm, his pedigree shouts Triple Crown. He not only has 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew in his pedigree twice and 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed, he has the legendary 1973 Triple Crown Secretariat four times, twice each through his dynamic daughters Weekend Surprise and Terlingua.
One person who is on edge waiting for that arrival day is Adam Corndorf, owner and general manager of Blue Heaven Farm, which was founded by Corndorf’s mother Bonnie Baskin and her father Sy. Together they established SyBon Racing in the 1990’s with the intention of buying top fillies and building a broodmare band. In 2001, Ocean Drive became their first graded stakes winner and their foundation mare. In 2004, they established Blue Heaven Farm, named by Bonnie after the song “My Blue Heaven,” which her father sang to her as a child. They kept their horses with Taylor Made Farm until they moved into their current 191-acre property in Versailles in 2010, where they now have 14 mares.
Corndorf is on edge for good reason. They actually were on the Derby trail last year, and with one of the favorites, having bred Tappan Street, who won the Florida Derby defeating eventual Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year Sovereignty. The son of Into Mischief, out of Virginia Key had sold as a yearling for $1 million, but unfortunately suffered a condylar fracture in his final workout for the Derby. As a side note, a year after Tappan Street became their first million-dollar yearling, Virginia Key’s yearling son by Curlin sold for $1.4 million.
So, now here they are again one year later on the threshold of having their first Kentucky Derby starter. But this time not only do they have Tappan Street’s injury in the back of their minds, they have to wait for Danon Bourbon to get on the plane and arrive safely at Churchill Downs. All the while, they watch the colt’s compatriot Wonder Dean already settled in after his trip from Dubai and getting a good deal of attention.
“I’m keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that he makes it into the starting gate,” Corndorf said. “After last year I know that nothing is guaranteed. A big hurdle to clear will be for him to arrive in Kentucky. I am definitely very jealous that Wonder Dean is here and sapping up the media exposure. I’m very excited for the public to see Danon Bourbon. He is such a physical specimen, and I think the intererst in him will only increase once he gets on the track. I just want to see him here safe and sound and stretching his legs.”
For the Corndorf family, they are getting ready to attend their first Kentucky Derby. “I always told myself that I was not going to go until we had a horse running that day. I figured we would make it one day with a horse on the undercard. But here we are with a horse in the big race. It will be three generations of us there — my mom, me and my two kids (Henry and Emma). I can’t wait.”
Corndorf thinks back to the mating of Danon Bourbon and choosing Wild Ridge, a daughter of Tapit who had only one victory and a third in six lifetime starts, to breed to Maxfield. “I really liked Maxfield as a racehorse,” he said. “He was so talented at 2, 3, and 4 and I was impressed with him physically when we saw him at Darley after he retired. So I definitely was excited to breed a mare to him in his first season. Wild Ridge herself is a very pretty Tapit mare that has good size, but not huge. And she has a history of producing attractive foals. Maxfield is a big strapping dude, and we thought it would be a good pairing. He could give her a little more substance, and she could provide the pretty. And it worked.
“Danon Bourbon was a big strong foal and yearling, but not at all coarse looking. My farm manager Jamie Corbett and I both remember him as being very classy and super easy to be around and work with. He took everything we threw at him in stride and never turned a hair. He was just a pleasure. From a pedigree standpoint, the Street Sense (Maxfield’s sire)/Tapit cross has worked well generally, and also specifically with this family. Wild Ridge does have a graded stakes-winning half-brother by Street Sense named Cazadero. So, commercially, we had every reason to believe Maxfield’s first crop would be popular at the sales.
“We really liked Danon Bourbon during the yearling prep. He never did anything wrong. When it came time to enter in the Keeneland Septembert sale, we thought he would be nice enough to be in Book 2. But we pushed him back to Book 3 to help him be a bigger fish. And I think it worked. He was very popular and sold well (for $450,000 to Katsumi Yoshida). We were happy he sold to a great owner, but of course going that far away you never know if you’re ever going to hear about him again.”
Well, now the whole racing world has heard about him. We just have to get him here, see how he settles in, see how he handles the track and left-handed turns, and most important how he stacks up against our 3-year-olds.
When he does get in that gate, perhaps Corndoff’s mom Bonnie can think back to her father singing My Blue Heaven to her as a child, especially the words,
“You’ll see a smilin’ face, a fireplace, a cozy room.
Little nest that nestles where the roses bloom.”
The Big Rematch…Already?
Every year when we have a high-profile 3-year-old colt on the verge of stardom, our wish, which most times is not granted, is to have that horse return as a 4-year-old. Well, not only did we get our wish in pairs this year, we got it before we even had a chance to catch our collective breaths.
Many of you will know the result of the Oaklawn Handicap when you read this, but because the timing of this column dictated that it be posted prior, we felt as if we should at least address it and offer our thoughts going into the race. Following the race, we will update it at the end of this column and provide a brief commentary of what we saw.
Our big question going into the race is, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby on everyone’s mind, are we ready for arch rivals Sovereignty and Journalism to hook up this early in the year, and traveling to Oaklawn Park to do it? Don’t get me wrong, it certainly is going to be exciting, but what exactly are we going to see?
We know we are going to see a six-horse field with no actual speed horse in the race and someone, most likely White Abarrio, forced to go to the lead, especially breaking from the rail. That is unless Steve Asmussen, with two horses entered, is intent on sending one of them to the front even though they, like all the others in field, are not used to being there. All we hope for right now is a clean race with a legitimate pace and the three big horses all having an equal shot to win turning for home.
The other question one has to ask is why was the Oaklawn Handicap chosen for Sovereignty’s comeback race after an eight-month layoff? And the same can be asked about Journalism, who is coming off a six-month layoff. An alternative would have been the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on Derby weekend with the whole nation watching. Did Oaklawn’s $1.25 million purse have anything to do with the decision? Or was it the 1 1/8-mile distance compared to the 1 1/16 miles of the Alysheba?
Yes, we have the champ Sovereignty and his arch rival Journalism, who it is safe to say may very well have been a Triple Crown winner in other years, picking up where they left off last year. So the stage is set, but on first reading we seem to have a jumbled script that is going to take a good of improvisation by the leading actors.
Getting back to our primary question, are we ready for such a confrontation this early in the year with both colts coming off long layoffs, having to travel to get to a track with which neither horse is familiar, and in a six-horse field with no true pacesetter?
Can this much-awaited matchup be compromised by a false pace, with the still classy veteran White Abarrio, winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, winding up alone on an easy lead?
And is Sovereignty still the same superstar we saw last year? Will a now bigger and stronger Journalism finally get his revenge? Will the two colts, who were broken and received their early training on the same farm, continue their rivalry? Will the old-timer White Abarrio, the 2023 Horse of the Year runner-up, finally get the recognition he deserves at age 7?
Obviously as we write this we have no idea how the race will play out, but after all the wishing and hoping we sure don’t want to see both Sovereignty and Journalism get beat right off the bat because of the lack of pace and both horses not yet at 100 percent. Let’s not forget, White Abarrio may be 7 years old and has had his share of good and bad days and moments of controversy in his career, but he is always dangerous and we have no idea just how dangerous if he winds up on an uncontested lead from post 1.
So those are the questions as the curtain is about to go up on this highly anticipated play and its talented cast. Stay tuned for the reviews.
************
Race Update: Well, the reviews are in and all the leading performers turned in terrific performances despite the convoluted script. We were certainly correct when we said they would likely have to improvise. No one was where they were supposed to be, and at first it looked as if Junior Alvarado on Sovereignty had forgotten his lines, which left Jose Ortiz on Journalism no choice but to follow along and keep up with him.
But first and foremost, congratulations to the old veteran White Abarrio, who turned a perfect setup into a stirring upset victory and once again was the poster child for keeping horses in training, even for as long as four years. What won him the race in the long run was being taken back off the pace from the rail by Irad Ortiz and causing Alvarado and Jose Ortiz to go completely off script, which is not what you want to do coming off such long layoffs.
As for Sovereignty, I thought Journalism had him right where he wanted, being the tracker this time. But what he did was put enough pressure on Sovereignty early to force him to the lead, and while it helped soften Sovereignty up a bit in the stretch run, Journalism simply wasn’t able to run him down. And with White Abarrio, having a perfect trip, storming home on the outside in under :12 for the final eighth, neither horse was quite ready to match strides with him.
In the end, all three horses can hang their head high. You can be sure that Sovereignty will never again encounter this kind of scenario, and he will be a terror with this race under his belt and a return to his familiar style of running. Journalism, as usual, ran his heart out, and credit his connections for taking on this challenge so early in the year, but you just have wonder what he has to do to beat Sovereignty.
It may have been a bit of a rocky opening, but you can bet this show will be running all year and to packed houses. And just wait until Magnitude joins the cast.
Photo courtesy of db.netkeiba.com
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Your info was very enlighting i thank you.
I LOVE your rankings Steve but where are they now? I sent the link to a friend who is just learning the game and told her to read your Derby rankings. It’s been a great list for me the last two years. I was so sold on Sovereignty last year.
I’ve been following your rankings this year and I do have my picks for the most part but she has never bet on a horse race let alone the Derby. I told her to go here to see your list.
Are you going to have a final Derby ranking before the race?
I still have photos of both Chateaugay and Graustark when I was fortunate to visit Darby Dan farm in the 70s. I did not know he was sold to Japan. I pray he was not treated the same as Ferdinand for which his handlers should never be forgiven!
Renegade is screwed from the 1 post
Not at all. With the new gate and the fact that he is a closer, he does not need to do anything but relax out of the gate. From the 2 hole Sierra Leone, a closer, did just that and got a great trip, the shortest one possible for a closer. No energy wasted moving over to the rail. He’ll be fine.
I just read this today. Sat April 25…. Don’t know how I missed it. Thank you for the information on the two good looking Japanese horses. We shall watch it all unfold very soon! Again the Derby is always so exciting and so many of these horses each with a chance to wear the roses. May they all come back safe !
Thanks for the write up on the rising sun duo. I really like Danon Bourbon. He has tactical speed, looks very comfortable sitting off the pace and just explodes at the right time. He eats up ground with his fluid stride and the Churchill stretch should give him an excellent opportunity to unleash his finish. Like Renegade, his turn of foot seems push button but he has a high cruising speed to stay closer to the pace. that could make the difference. I also like Chad’s chances on Emerging Market. I heard Chad explaining what happened with this horse. We was trained up twice to run and suffered a leg cut the first time and pneumonia the next time. He’s traveled and handled that, so he has more experience than meets the eye and I just love Chad’s swelling confidence that he is trying real hard not to show but he really looks like a card player with an ace high straight flush. I think the winner will come from one of these three improving potential superstars. That said, I like Golden Tempo’s steady improvement with added distance. He’s bread to run all day and has excelled the further he runs. I hope he gets the long odds, he could hit the board and provide much needed lard to the ticket. Need to get ready for the post draw here so I’m going to go mix up a bloody mary to sip on and hope for the best.
Further Ado has never finished ahead of a runner in this year’s Derby. How many will he finish ahead of next week? 19? 10?
Correct me if I’m wrong in my statement above. If Great White who finished 5th in the Blue Grass draws in, that would be one he has finished ahead of.
You’re correct. He will finish ahead of 19. No need for a question mark.
I think his close second place finish to The Puma coming off a 3 month layoff speaks well of his ability to run with anyone in this field. Like Steve has mentioned, he IS the fastest horse based on the numbers. They don’t hand out 106 beyers and -2 TG’s to slow horses. He is the best chance for Brad Cox to sport the Roses.
Congrats to all of the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees!
Yesterday morning, Mike Welsch said that the three Cox horses looked really good, particularly Further Ado; he was a handful.
Hi Steve. Great article on Danon B, but do you think he is fast enough figs-wise to compete with the top U.S. 3yo’s?
No. He’s not fast enough.
Danon Bourbon had arrived!
Gorgeous!!
Looks like Dad doesn’t he? A real Johnny Handsome who will look even better with roses draping his shiny dark flesh.
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In an earlier post, I asked if you could own any of these horses, which would you choose? Maybe that’s your Derby horse. My answer was Emerging Market.
None of the horses on the grounds had caught my eye (physical appearance), until today… when Emerging Market arrived.
I know it’s the tallest of orders to win the Derby with only 2 starts. But who says he has to win to make money in this race. Every placing and every exotic wager is going to pay huge this Derby.
And I really believe this horse is a Ferrari.
Steve thanks for the info on the Japanese owned derby horses.you always wonder but can’t easily find much info.the foreign horses seem to be getting closer.I am going to use them somewhat in the exotics this year.Once again thanks for the article .An avid fan.
I looked up Danon Bourbon’s pedigree the first time I heard of him. Great Green Gobs! Adding him to my Derby list due to intuition, so I will have six this year. Thanks Steve for the information. I love how you develop your columns. The behind the scenes looks add so much depth to my Derby research.
Barbaro and Commandment compared:
Both raced twice as 2-year-olds, in October and in November.
Both won a stakes race in early January; Barbaro, Tropical Park Derby on grass – Commandment, Mucho Macho Man Stakes.
Barbaro won the Holy Bull at GP by 3/4 length, then won the Florida Derby by 1/2 length. Commandment won the Fountain of Youth by a neck, then won the Florida Derby by a nose.
Both earned triple-digit Brisnet speed figures in each of their last two preps, all at GP.
I have a special fondness for Barbaro. Nice to hear his name brought up.
And if you remember, Barbaro tipped his hand before the Derby with his monster workout.
I remember it well. Twenty years ago! He was edged out for post-time favoritism by the Illinois Derby winner with a big speed figure, Sweetnorthensaint.
After the much-beloved Barbaro died I bought a stuffed replica of him from an auction website. It was costly, but the money went to a laminitis research facility.
The Barbaro replica was signed by the Jacksons, Michael Matz, and Edgar Prado.
It’s hard not to get excited about Chief Wallabee’s workout going second time with the blinkers. That work may have killed any chance of his odds drifting up.
“The Chief” has a win, a second, and a third in his three starts. In that order.
Maybe The Puma becomes the value play. He looks like a horse that will be in the mix at the finish. The Puma has four races under his belt. But also, only one win.
Danon Bourbon could hit the track as soon as tomorrow. Las Vegas has him at 16-1. That sounds pretty good to me. Looking forward to seeing how he takes to Churchill Downs.
Commandment, Further Ado, Renegade, and Danon Bourbon all have multiple wins.
Could the superfecta box be that easy?
Renegade and Commandment both have 5 races. Experience matters in a 20-horse field.
Renegade and Further Ado haven’t really beaten a good horse yet. I’m no fan of Silent Tactic. Renegade did beat him very easily.
You may not be a fan of Silent Tactic, but the fact is that Silent Tactic had won the Southwest Stakes and lost the Rebel Stakes by a nose. Renegade, in the SF Davis Stakes, beat The Puma, who came within a nose of winning the Florida Derby. So I don’t think it’s fair to say that he hasn’t really beaten anybody.
ST is training well.
Good point – Tommy was belittling Silent Tactic elsewhere today, too …
I got to watch the 1999 Santa Anita Derby, which was very well produced by FOX….an enormous crowd, and a strong field…how strong? Well….the eventual Kentucky Derby and Preakness Winner was in the race, Charismatic—owned by Lewis c and trained by Lukas—was 40-1 and ran 4th, beaten 8 lengths…. ..
Denom Bourbon hascan excellent chance in Kentucky Deby. His final time of 1:50.90 is the fastest time in 20 years of Fukuryu Stakes when he won his last race. T. O.Password who finished 5th in the Derby after all kind of trouble, his time when he win the Fukuryu stakes was 1:54.10. Denom Bourbon should like Churchill Downs also. His sire Maxfild won all 5 races he ran at Churchill. Even his grand sire Street Sence loved Churchill Downs.
Great stuff. Thank you.
I’m starting to give Golden Tempo a real hard look as a major player in the Derby. By Curlin, out of a Bernardini mare, this homebred colt from the Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stables, is bred to run all day. His sire, Curlin, needs no introduction, but from my perspective, the bulk of his class and stamina influence is clearing evident on his dam side. His dam, Carrumba was a graded router, and her sire, Bernardini, has gained the reputation as an outstanding broodmare sire. Going back to his 3rd generation, there’s A. P. Indy and El Prado. On to his 4th generation, there’s Seattle Slew, Weekend Surprise, Quite American, Sadler’s Wells and Seeking the Gold. On to his 5th generation, there’s Bold Reasoning, Secretariat, Fappiano, Spectacular Bid, Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector and Nijinsky.
During the late stretch run of the Louisiana Derby, Golden Tempo was a close third behind Pavlovian and Emerging Market. It remains unclear as to why Jose Ortiz turned him sharply to the rail, losing ground and momentum in the process. If in fact he thought the rail was playing faster than the middle of the track, he should have made that move a lot sooner than he did, IMO.
That said, going 10 furlongs in the Kentucky Derby should be just what the doctor ordered for this Curlin colt. Does he have a chance against the likes of Renegade, Further Ado, Commandment and The Puma? I would answer that with a resounding yes.
BTW, Golden Tempo worked 4 furlongs in 47.00 (2/58) on 4-17. It appears Cherie Devaux will have him well cranked for the Derby.
On a side note, Potente worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.40 this morning. Bob Baffert stated, “I was very happy with his work. He galloped out very strong.” He’ll ship to Churchill on Wednesday.
He is one of my main longshot specials. Loved his last work.
Nice review on the breeding. I’m intrigued by Golden Tempo especially with the connection to the Phipps Stable history in his pedigree. Golden Tempo is the only runner I’ve seen before that wasn’t trained by McGaughey??
I still like Renegade, Commandment, Full Effort and maybe even Incredibolt over him Bill….. but if does find a way to win the KD then it’s a big hat’s off to him. But I don’t see it happening.
I am talking about Golden Tempo… not Potente
Thanks for the reply, Downthestretchpp
My comment included the question, “does Golden Tempo have a chance against the likes of Renegade, Further Ado, Commandment and The Puma”?
How many thought Giacomo had a “chance” to win the 2005 KD, at 50-1?
How many thought Rich Strike had a “chance” to win the 2022 KD, at 80-1?
How many thought Mine That Bird had a “chance” to win the 2009 KD, at 51-1?
How many thought Mystik Dan had a “chance” to win the 2024 KD, at 19-1?
How many thought Animal Kingdom had a “chance” to win the 2011 KD, at 21-1?
How many thought Country House had a “chance” to win the 2019 KD, at 65-1?
Bottom line, Golden Tempo has a “chance” to win the 2026 KD, IMO.
Another great read Steve. Handicapping and betting are both enjoyable and rewarding part of Racing, But it’s the Story and the history is where that ethereal magic lies and keeps that spark in our eyes! I going to say it early, HAPPY DERBY !
Thanks Derek. Totally agree
I viewed the Chief Wallabee work. .youza! He looked good…
I’ve been on Danon Bourbon for months now. I think he wins.
I might be with you on that one.
Steve…what did you think about the Potente work, on Friday? Not a team work…and a short work, (4 fur), not a fast one…..I’m unsure what I am seeing, is he that fit? That ready?….or are they even going?….
Update! My bad, that :48 3/5 work was his first work after the SA Derby, he worked 1:13 flat this weekend, I’m still all aboard!…
Chief Wallabee’s work this morning was the best ive seen so far in many different ways. .loved everything I saw. More on that in next in week’s pros and cons column.
That’s good to know, considering the blinkers change. On another topic, you said in the previous article that you “couldn’t think of a Derby winner coming off a double digit margin victory in his final prep.” I wasn’t looking for it, but I happened to come across Sunday Silence’s past performances. He won the Santa Anita Derby by 11 lengths, the same margin as Further Ado’s in the Blue Grass.
Steve…I wonder ..was he worked ng in 🐈⬛ nkers BEFORE, it was announced he would run in them? He appears to be the 2026 “Wise Guy Horse”, I like him too ….I also like fellow 3-starter Potente, IF—Sov can be beaten, on the lead….I think Potente could be the 2026 Surprise Horse!…
I think that So Happy could be the “2026 Wise Guy Horse”.
But I like about six others better. Which means that he won’t be on any of my tickets. No offense.
I’m never offended by someone’s picks! The reason I suggested Chief Wallabee is the wise guy Horse is–it seems lots of the prognosticators like him!
CW just moved from 9-1 to 8-1 at WH…
If they all start…I expect you will get over 10-1 on him…
His gallop out was bordering on sensational. That work alone will drop his odds a couple of points.
Very impressive work. He’s absolutely gorgeous on top of that.
As Steve puts it – You can be sure that Sovereignty will never again encounter this kind of scenario, and he will be a terror with this race under his belt and a return to his familiar style of running.
I can’t agree more!
David
With Nearly and Bravaro dropping from Derby consideration comes word that Litmus Test is still being considered for the run for the roses. BB is sending him from Oaklawn to Churchill Downs.
Frankly, I’ve seen enough of that guy. No offense.
BB might be better off sending him to Los Alamitos.
BB may be short of stalls at Santa Anita with the arrival of his new $10.5million son of Flightline.
Yes, That the $10.5 million has arrived at Baffert barn. Baffert said he is huge speciman and I have to agree… horse has huge hind quarters for a two year old. Baffert says going to track on Friday for a light jog as Baffert said he is jumping out of his skin… described him as a handful… a Man amongst boys
Also what do think the chances are that Prat’s agent or Prat ( Flightline ‘s jockey) himself has already called Baffert about being first call on him ?
What do you think the chances are he makes it to the starting gate?
I guess that is the $10.5 million question. !?!?!?
lol!
Correction that was tomorrow he was going to take him to the track .
I just rewatched the Oaklawn Handicap replay, and i have doubts about Sovereignty being the same horse this year. I’m no expert on stride mechanics, and maybe he was tired, but Sovereignty just didn’t have the same reach as last year. Maybe he’ll improve with a better trip and a race under his belt, but i’m not seeing a superhorse. Happy to see WA win, though.
Todd, way I view it…. he didn’t get a breather during the race.
He didn’t have a target, and like Mike says there was a horse that engaged him at the half mile pole….Thoroughbreds on dirt can kick for around 3 furlongs,, at their best….Whitey kicked better late….it was race flow…also could have been Sov was facing an older horse, a former Horse if the Year who is still pretty darn good….
I thought Sovereignty and Journalism both ran great races and thought 1 1/8 was asking alot after the long layoffs. If they didn’t come out sore after that race should both improve from it. Was not expecting the scenario of the race but Irad rode WA perfectly who looked very good in his warm up before the race !!!
This comment should be taken down.
Which?
Mike, It was an bot posted ad, and it’s gone now.
Sorry.
No worries. I posted right under it, but then it popped up in the middle of a conversation. Go figure.
Yes.
Hey all!
I adore Sovereignty but have to say that I had tears watching White Abarrio cross that line.
It was so thrilling.
Reminds me of how much I love this sport.
Irad rode him perfectly.
Congratulations to all and especially Saffie.
I agree. It’s been quite a while since a race delighted me as much as that one. White Abarrio is a favorite of mine, and he’s had such horrible luck in the past months. He was sideswiped in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, scratched abruptly and probably unfairly in the Breeders Cup, and then beaten by his stablemate in the P:egasus. He deserved something good yesterday and he got it. He took on some of the best horses anyone could throw at him and he beat them decisively. I was so happy for him and for his people. Watching it was an experience to remember, and it sets a high standard for the rest of the year.
Have we discussed expected Derby pace? Sorry if I missed it, but it looks legit to me.
First flight…
Six Speed
Pavlovian
Chip Honcho
Just behind them…
Potente
So Happy
Further Ado
Danon Bourbon
Iron Honor
I can’t remember another Derby so competitive that I have to use a minimum of 13 horses in the trifecta. With Pavlovian and Golden Tempo being my #14 and 15. Love Pavlovian’s last race, but he seems up against it with the pace scenario above. And Golden Tempo has the most electrifying closing kick of them all, but he just doesn’t seem to have it all together mentally. Tough derby indeed.
Hi Roan Boy … I’ve posted in past that I like Six Speed as best pedigree for the Kentucky Derby. I presented all my reasons that generated some flack so I won’t repeat any of that. But despite the perfect breeding it is not easy, shipping from the UAE, requiring 2 weeks in quarantine in UK and then a shorter quarantine at CD. I will close by saying he has the same grandpa as Medina Spirit. Go back and watch the 2021 Kentucky Derby. That’s the pace and outcome I am hoping for. I’ll return after the race to either take my bows or eat crow. Good luck with however you decide to take a swing this year.
I meant flak.
I never considered including Six Speed in my trifecta Paul. But you swayed me to take a closer look. And wow, that breeding is something else.
There’s a very real chance no one goes with him in the derby because everyone thinks he’s the speed of the speed. There’s also a chance he’s much stronger now than he was in the UAE.
At the very least, this is the kind of horse I love for the Belmont Stakes.
I completely understand, Roan Boy! I could only eliminate 5 horses from potential EXACTAS.
No cheap bets this year Ms Blacktype. Not when 10+ horses have a realistic chance to win.
Pretty good pace analysis.
Minimum of 13 horses in your trifecta? You must have a bankroll bigger than Amr Zedan’s.
My feelings about the Japanese horses running in our Triple Crown races has always been that I would wait for one of them to pull off a win before I would play one of them.
I’ve never bet on any of them or even included one on any of my exotic tickets. So far, so good. But it seems like it’s just a matter of time.
If you take away Further Ado’s race at Keeneland when he ran a big number, the other contenders have decent numbers and some are trending upward. But nothing knocks your socks off.
Seems like a great chance for an outlier. Maybe a horse with a perfect record at Churchill in his blood.
I doubt that Danon Bourbon will go off anywhere close to 25-1. As I cruised around the internet looking for more information about him, I realized that he already has a pretty good following.
Danon Bourbon has only run 3 times but has been impressive each time.
Danon Bourbon’s first race was at a mile and an eighth. Second race at a mile and three sixteenths. His big win at Fukuryu was also at a mile and an eighth. Distance was on their minds for this horse from the gitgo.
Maxfield, his sire, ran 3rd in his only try at a mile and a quarter. A memorable race at Santa Anita won by Idol over Express Train.
Maxfield won 8 of his 11 races. Two seconds and a third. I always thought that Maxfield looked like a muscleman.
Maxfield could be described as a Churchill Downs specialist. 5 for 5 at the Twin Spires.
Can a sire’s affinity for a particular racetrack be passed on to his son?
The white horse had recency, the two 4-year-olds were coming off extended layoffs.
I doubt that White Abarrio will ever beat Sovereignty again. No offense.
White Abarrio looked fantastic yesterday and ran to those looks.
Will the way he looked and the way he ran cement a win for the owner’s lawsuit?
Publisher ran 4th without threatening.
Those other two? Classic field fillers.
An exceptional horse nearly won the roses, I don’t forsee that happening again, any time soon…”The World Traveler” is just an amazing animal, not large framed, just medium sized but all heart and stamina….Forever Young “opened” the door, so to speak…I’m not looking for the Derby Winner from Japan, it’s enough of a challenge to find him HERE…..
Great read as usual, Steve. It would be ironic if the first Japanese winner of the Derby was an American bred, but I really do enjoy this colt’s breeding. As I’m sure you know, the second dam of Danon Bourbon is the fine New Jersey bred mare Wild Gams, who won several stakes and over $1 million.
It almost happened in 1992 with AP Indy. He was Japanese owned and 100% American. The only difference is Indy was American raced his entire career. There are still similarities though. This horse has an amazing turn of foot. I honestly can’t wait to see him move on Churchill Downs.
The great Shoemaker was known for a 1962 ride, where he took a Cal-bred sprinter named Olden Times…and coaxed him to victory in the 1 3/4 San Juan Capistrano….
Yesterday was Irad’s historic ride! No doubt he was taking his White steed to the front, but at the clubhouse turn …Irad made a split second decision to reign him back into 3rd, KNOWING those two good horses would run fast enough to insure he wouldn’t get caught in a pocket—that was a career defining moment!
Last night was the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, and Irad’s ride was a perfect way to celebrate the occasion.
Jiffy, Paul Revere borrowed a horse from a wealthy merchant named Larkin.
The horse was a big, strong brown mate named Beautiful Brown and was thought to be a Nargansett Pacer
The breed became a foundation bred for the American Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walking horse.
Their primary hair was the pace and they moved very fast. Some lines became the foundation for the American Standard red.
A whiskey company came out with a commemorative whiskey to honor her for 2026 named Beautiful Brown.
She was captured by the British and never returned to her owner.
George Washington is said to have owned and ridden Nargansett Pacers.
Just a little trivia!
Thank you. I’d never heard any of that. Even more reasons to honor horses yesterday.
I agree!
He’s had many good rides like that, the career defining one may be coming up on May 2. White Abarrio is just better than those two horses, even at his age. There were no good just off the pace horses in the Derby last year, or in the following races, they finally ran into one.
I disagree….Sov lost, Whitey ran lights out…..I do not believe he is better, not better than Sov….one race does not a career make .
The regulatory vets are going too far, they made 17 Breeders Cup scratches…some really good horses, including White Abarrio, TWO MINUTES TO POST—
Recently…after the SA Derby came The Monrovia, on the downhill course, at Santa Anita…heavily favored Queen Maxima was nearing the gate, which is way out in the parking lot—Juan Hernandez was told to take his mare across the dirt crossing, as a way of “schooling”—the mare was3 for 3 on the downhill,she KNEW the course, but Juan was told he must do this, or the VET would scratch her (vets have zero power to scratch, only a steward can scratch)….Juan took his mare the half mile, both ways—afyer her dull 3rd, he told trainer Jeff Mullins she was gassed, she was 1/5 odds…..
Look at Keeneland! Look at the scratches, today there are TWENTY……
I wonder if Mike Repole has an opinion with a horse being scratched?
I wonder if HISA liked seeing Whitey, yesterday beating the Horse of the Year by nearly three lengths!…
Itterasshai (Japan) , 3rd in thte Hyacinth S. and 4th in the Fukuryu won by Danon Bourbon,took an allowance race by 8 lengths Suday at Nakayama
I have a really good gut feeling about Danon Bourbon
On March 16th I put $100.00 to win on him at 100-1 at Westgate
On March 23rd (my birthday) I put another $100.00 to win on him at 50-1 at Westgate
I also have a nice wager on Golden Tempo at 60-1
Good luck to all !!!
Wishing everybody a great Kentucky Derby Day!!!
Good Luck.
Thank you, John
*correction Sunday not Suday…..Lol
White Abarrio is given the fans a taste of the Iron Horses of the past. It is amazing how an unfashionable pedigree enables a horse to become a durable and dominant runner. A sweet irony …
Same applies to Skippylongstocking who also endured the 2022 Derby trail to become a top stakes horse over time.
If Sovereignty, Nysos, Baeza, Journalism, Magnitude, Tappan Street, and Burnham Square remain healthy and steady we will enjoy real treats this season.
*is giving
Right on Nelson…they got to keep them healthy !!!
Would apply to ANY horse.
So….the big favorite finds himself on the inside LEAD, a horse lapped onto him….and a two-length stalker puts him away, by 2 1/2….
……….I’m talking about Potente! (hehe)…..
(If The Horse of the Year can lose, in such a scenario …maybe Potente should also get another chance?)…
Nice to see an older horse win, but what a strangely run race!
A bit of tightening at the top at WH:
Renegade 3-1
FA 4-1
Commandment 5-1
CW 9-1
The Puma 10-1
Odds make sense to me…if I were betting the race today, I would be keying CW and The Puma
Wrong regarding result of the race, however,when selecting Sov, never thought would be easy.
Commentary on the Oaklawn Handicap has been added to the column.
Steve,
I wouldn’t leave Nysos and possibly Cornicopian out of that bunch . Could be a great year
Not sure why Junior Alvarado wanted the lead, which is not Sovereignty’s running style.
Did Bill Mott instruct Alvardo to so, or did Alvarado do it on his own?
Another example of Irad Ortiz Jr, riding skills, holding White Abarrio back, letting Sovereignty and Journalism burn themselves out as the pace setters.
Hats off to White Abarrio’s connections.
BTW, I’m ready to eat a big slice of “humble pie” for stating the Oaklawn Handicap would be a “walk in the park” for Sovereignty.
At the hightest level of competition even the slightest disadvantage would level the field.
Sovereignty was fresh after more than 7 months on the bench. Same for Journalism who never let the champ take a breather.
White Abarrio, on the other hand, was in a form upswing after resuming in the Pegasus of a 5-month layoff. At any rate, Irad Ortiz Jr. has to be commended for his outstanding ride. He assessed the “fishing in troubled water” situation masterfully.
Ditto Nelson. WA waiting to pounce. Sov, as indicated worked the entire way.
Bill,
You have been more right than wrong but eating a little humble pie ( we have all done it) every once and a while the way I see it keeps us grounded.
Down
Thanks for your support, and certainly agree that these so called sure things are often misguided concepts.
As you stated, this is what keeps us grounded. Very true.
You know you’re a racing fan when you plan a household move around the Derby preps! Moving this weekend, I’d worried I’d miss the Oaklawn Handicap, but I got my Internet hooked up today, and am I glad. I didn’t expect White Abarrio to win but am delighted he did!
White Abarrio — what a horse! Never count him or Saffie Joseph out. (I love it when Joseph gets choked up after a win.) Congrats to all the connections, especially WA’s team, who were getting and giving hugs all around after the win.
Ms Blacktype seeing Saffie getting choked up never gets old…. it shows how grateful he is to be in the position he is in,
White Abarrio looking good… taking a key Trifecta him on top Sovereignty and Journalism on the bottom 2
Nice handicapping there Down.
Paid enough for my family’s dessert tonight!!!
Should have added. .. thanks Robert !!!
Yeah, considering a few on that half baked site stated for year or so, WA was finished. Lol
You don’t often see two horses over 50-1, in a 5-horse field….
10.5 million for Flightline colt. WOW
Purchased by Zedan. Bob Baffert to train.
Evidently a speed freak in the exhibition sprint before auction.
Read Mr Zedan likes the sprinters.
One to watch for sure.
Somebody else was also bidding on him…
I heard Lanes End and West Point Thoroughbreds.
It is curious that today being a special day for releasing the Danon Bourbon feature two daughters of Maxfield surprisingly won two Stakes.
Ivy’s Girl won the Weber City Miss Stakes at Laurel Park at 26 to 1 and Holly’s Holiday took the Valley of the Vapors Stakes at Oaklawn paying 21 to 1.
I am not supertitious but this coincidence must signal something good coming for Maxfield’s Danon Bourbon …
Regarding the Oaklawn Handicap, Journalism’s team must be very optimistic about facing Sovereignty to ship all the way from the west coast to take on this huge challenge…
Let’s see what happens in this unique match in 23 minutes …
I’m looking forward to an outstanding race this afternoon (or evening, as the case may be). I agree that Sovereignty is probably the best horse there, he will certainly be favored, and he probably has the best chance of winning. But I don’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park. Sovereignty hasn’t run for several months, and he’s facing some good horses. Last year at this time I thought Journalism was overrated, but in the Preakness he proved me wrong. If that Journalism shows up, he’ll give Sovereignty a run for his money. I love White Abarrio. He’s had terrible luck several times lately, but he has a lot of ability even at his age, and I’m going to be cheering for him. I also have always liked Publisher. He may be in over his head here, but I’ve always felt that he was a better horse than his performances show and that someday he’ll prove that. So I can find something to like about four out of six horses, and that’s what makes a good race. It should be fun.
Great choice for a deep dive Steve. Thanks for the story on the Japanese horses. Was that day by chance September 10? I was born in 71. 🙂
Regarding Danon Bourbon… he has faced ZERO adversity, the easiest of trips in all 3 races. Does that concern you at all?
Regarding Wonder Dean… he has the most interesting looking body. Long, super model legs with a short, Danny DeVito body lol.
Its a concern with every horse. No one has faced the adversity they will face in the Derby. I would be concerned about any horse if I was betting the mortgage on him. But I just look for the interesting stories.
I found a replay of Danon Bourbon’s last race. He is a magnificent looking horse. Not too far off Sovereignty last year. A big fella. Danon Bourbon looked like a man against boys.
The time wasn’t fast. But I noticed that it was a very deep track. I could spot the horses’ hoofs completely submerged in the dirt.
Is it my imagination or were most of those horses wearing front wraps? Maybe that’s the way they do things with young horses over there.
An impressive run and looks like he is still improving.
I may have found my Derby horse. Or maybe Steve Haskin found him for me.
Racing in Japan, you know that Danon Bourbon has run in front of big crowds. All he has to do is adapt to the left-hand turns.
I’m with Adam Corndorf, get the horse over here ASAP and get him around that track
a few times.
Will White Abarrio be allowed to run? Will the Vets at Oaklawn see whatever the Vets at Del Mar saw? It’s kind of a touchy subject with the scratch at Del Mar now heading to court.
Steve Haskin is sending me off to find replays of Danon Bourbon’s races.
It would seem like the perfect year for an invader with 8 to 10 of the American horses rated about the same on speed figures and looks.
I’m not as interested in the Japanese horse that has had seven different jockeys at seven different tracks in three different countries. Did I get all that right?
Off I go into the cyber-world to find those replays.
Hi Steve
Thank you for providing such an in-depth article on Blue Heaven Farm’s Derby hopeful Danon Bourbon. After watching the video replay of his win in the Fukuryu Stakes, I immediately thought this Maxfield colt was something very special. When Derby Futures Pool 6 opened, on April 2nd, I boxed him at 23-1, with Potente, at 16-1, in a $20.00 exacta wager. With respect to the three Into Mischief colts, Potente offered the best value versus Commandment, at 7-1, and Renegade, at 4-1.
Hopefully, Danon Bourbon remains healthy and settles in at Churchill, with no issues.
Can I buy a piece of that exacta Bill?
Danon Bourbon and Potente are my top 2 at the moment. Impressive that you acted on that in the futures.
Thanks for the reply, Roan Boy
I’m sorry, my exacta is not for sale. 🙂
However, I’m encouraged that Potente and Danon Bourbon are your top two horses.
BTW, the payout on that exacta would be $9,240 or $8,370 (depending on the order of finish).
Fingers crossed.
Haha.
Those payouts are incredible. I’ll be rooting for both of us. Good luck! 🍀
Good luck to you as well, Roan Boy.
Wow. A wonderfully written and multifaceted column. I’ve already forwarded it to three people. Thank you!
I appreciate it Mike. Thank you.
Steve,,
Great “timely” article but I wish you would have wrote “after” the KD. as I was hoping I would get a better price on Danon Bourbon (DB) but now the cat is really out of the bag. Count me as one that saw his races on YOUTUBE. I was actually searching for something else when this clip shows up like the 3 races of DB. I thought this won’t take long so I clicked it and was totally amazed on what I saw. I know Matt W and Bill Dawson had asked you for more information on him in previous post. He definitely is mature physically for a 3 year old and he strides are so powerful. It would not surprise me if he goes off as one of the favorites for the KD he looks that good, His daddy MAXFIELD was a looker and I was so looking forward to his race against Dennis Moment in the BC Juvenile which unfortunately did not occur because of Maxfield got injured before the race and Dennis Moment, though he raced, had such a horribly poor start that it probably compromised his promising career.
Will be looking forward to seeing DB when he arrives at Churchill this coming week. You never know he maybe one of those “once in a lifetime” horses. And to think the Japanese snagged him for only $450K while Zedan paid $10.5 million for that Flightline beauty he bought yesterday …. let’s hope that one stays “healthy” as he already has shown he has speed. Let hope Zedan can do better with the name. Maybe we can get some suggestion from the players on this blog? I was thinking TOP GUN but that looks like it has been used several times. I am sure we can do better than……………….. REPRESENTING !!!
Keep up the great work Steve and as always have a great week !!!
Dont worry. My column has zero effect .
You’re much too modest Steve, Mike C just forwarded it to 3 other people.
Another name for the Zedan colt… Danger Zone.
Perfect
Sov. takes this.No walk in the park,however.
They are rivals, but Journalism has yet to stress Sov, their two races have been blowouts—In rooting for Journalism, who looks fabulous…against a champion whose trainer says is better than last year….but until Journalism wins one…..it’s not Affirmed/Alydar…Silver Charm/Free House….Forego/Wajima…Precisionist/Greinton….Sunday Silence/Easy Goer…..
I love Sovereignty, but I think you’re overstating his two victories over Journalism (i e., “yet to stress”; “blowouts”). Four-year-old Journalism looks like a monster. I heard something on today’s Danduel TV coverage about Sovereignty’s connections stating first that they were sending their colt to Oaklawn. So Journalism’s connections knew who they were going up against. They easily could have opted for the Alysheba at CD
Well I’m rooting for Journalism, and I hope he wins….
Same here. Hoping for that true rivalry.
Sorry, that’s FanDuel TV. Forgot to say that Easy Goer beat SS the third time they met! This is J’s third try, too.
In all four of their (Sunday Silence and Easy Goer)…matchups….the favorite was beaten …and so far in Sov vs J’s matchups—the favorite has lost…..
Sorry again. Best Pal is my old screen name. Reading stuff with my phone and iPad side by side.
Steve, I love how you cover the breeding aspect of Danon Bourbon. I was a fan of Tappan Street and was disappointed when he was injured before the Derby. Now, breeder Adam Corndorf gets another chance to cheer for a Blue Heavan foal in the Derby. Fingers crossed.
Two years ago, you turned me on to Forever Young and though he lost by two noses, it turned out to be the most exciting Derby finish that I’ve ever witnessed. Forever Young remains one of my all time favorites. A true samurai warrior. Could Danon Bourbon follow the path of Forever Young? I’m chomping at the bit, anxiously awaiting his arrival.
Are we there yet? Just two weeks left until the “Run for the Roses” and a part of me doesn’t want it to end because I’ve really enjoyed this ride with you on the Derby Trail. Thank you, Steve, for all the great stories and insights that you’ve given us. You are a gifted writer and a treasure to your readers.
Edit: Blue Heaven
Thank you Dewey
Steve, you never disappoint! Another excellent story about a Derby colt full of promise, and a beautiful, powerful mover in the Fukuryu. He won it so easily, just as Renegade and Further Ado won their respective final preps. It’s really hard to settle on any one horse as the winner this year.
Thanks .Ms B
What a beautiful column – you really brought Danon Bourbon to life on the page
I appreciate it Mark. Thank you.