Last in the Derby, First in My Heart
This is not your typical column, but one I felt awfully good writing. All the winners of Kentucky Derby 152 have been written about, but not all the dreamers. I am sure every one of the starters have their own special stories. What you are about to read are just two of them, one of which is mine. I have never had a personal interest in any Derby until now. But unlike all those I covered, I no longer am shackled by objectivity. For the first time, I have felt the spell of the Derby from within and not from the words and actions of others. So bear with me on the first story and enjoy the second, which also is the stuff of dreams. ~ Steve Haskin
Last in the Derby, First in My Heart
By Steve Haskin
After decades of chronicling the Kentucky Derby and the numerous journeys of owners, trainers, and breeders, etc. on the Derby trail, I am deviating from the normal and devoting this part of the column to my own journey on the Derby trail. I normally would never infiltrate such hallowed ground, but this time is an exception, as it is for my daughter Mandy to hopefully pass on to her children to perpetuate the family history with horses and all the passion and special memories they have provided.
It may seem like an odd time to engage in such sentimentality when the equine subject of this column, Pavlovian, is fresh off a last place finish. But for my purposes that is inconsequential in telling the story. In short, this one is for me.
Several years ago when owner Paul Reddam told me he wanted to name a horse for me, I asked him instead to name a horse for my daughter Mandy. Because ballet had been her life growing up and her beauty, grace, and elegance on the stage always captivated the audience, I suggested the name Mandy’s Grace. I didn’t give it much thought after that. Then in 2015, Reddam’s mare Magicalmysterycat, a daughter of Storm Cat, gave birth to a Bellamy Road filly that he would name Mandy’s Grace. I was both thrilled and honored, not for myself, but for Mandy.
Before we continue, I must go deeper to explain the inspiration for that name, which came in the form of a poem.
Mandy “soars” across the Rider University theater stage in The Nutcracker.
When Mandy was a young teenager, she performed the role of Clara in “The Nutcracker” for the first time; a role she would perform many times since. But on this occasion I noticed during dress rehearsal she was coughing quite a lot. All seemed normal the following day. However, as we settled into out seats at the Rider University theater, my wife Joan was called backstage because Mandy was feeling sick. She assured Joan she would be able to dance and went out and performed flawlessly with a perpetual smile on her face, receiving a rousing ovation. That night at dinner, her head collapsed on the table and it was discovered she had a 104-degree fever, which would keep her out of school for a week.
That inspired me to write a poem to express my feelings. This is where you will have to indulge me as what follows are several stanzas from that poem, titled “A Vision on the Rider Stage.” (Note: there is a reference to Mrs. Kilborne, who was Mandy’s gifted and talented teacher who worshipped her, but had become legally blind).
She’s a snowflake drifting in a gentle breeze that never quite reaches the ground
Her movements resound like a symphony, although she never utters a sound
Through her outspread gossamer wings beam shafts of golden light
As she glides across the moonlit stage with the grace of an egret in flight
I know not how to paint or sculpt, but I have created a work of art
And the ovation she inspires is only hushed by the pounding of my heart
For I know the battle she is fighting as her will and her body collide
And watching the triumph of her spirit, I am overwhelmed with admiration and pride
The Rider stage is empty now, but for a sole figure soaring elegantly across the floor
And all the beauty and courage she displayed will remain there forever more
And if you look out to the front of the audience you can still see
Someone attempting to brace a video camera against his quivering knee
I will never forget the words of Mrs. Kilborne, her eyesight nearly gone
But when you danced that night, the dimming light in her eye suddenly turned on
She somehow saw you float across the stage with not a single flaw
‘You were only a white blur,’ she said. ‘But you were the prettiest white blur I ever saw’
You hold in your hands one of God’s greatest gifts, the power to enthrall
And to see that emerge through all you endured is the greatest gift of all
Throughout your life, when you’re having doubts and fears, think back to this day and remember when
You had the power for a brief shining moment to make a blind person see beauty again”
From those words emerged the name Mandy’s Grace. The chestnut filly, who is inbred to the legendary Secretariat, raced twice at 2 with no success and then was shipped to Oaklawn Park with several other Doug O’Neill-trained horses. On February 22, 2018, a day I will never forget, Mandy’s Grace made her first start at Oaklawn and broke her maiden by four lengths. That same day Mandy gave birth to her first child, Theo. There had to be a deeper meaning in that than just coincidence.
Mandy’s Grace, trained by Doug O’Neill, in her lone win on February, 22, 2018 at Oaklawn Park.
Mandy’s Grace never raced again and Reddam decided to sell her at that year’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale to the cover of Frosted, but she failed to meet her reserve and was bought back for $95,000. I figured that was the last I would hear of her. I occasionally would check on her and saw that she produced four foals, all by Reddam’s stallions. One was unraced and the other three combined to win three of 23 starts, one of whom was named O Mandy, who did break her maiden at Santa Anita. That was enough to make this story even more special.
In 2023, Mandy’s Grace gave birth to a Pavel colt, who was named Pavlovian. I had gotten excited once when he ran in the state-bred Golden State Juvenile Stakes on Breeders’ Cup Future Friday, but any hopes of seeing him compete on such a big stage were quickly dashed when he stumbled badly coming out of the gate and unseating his rider Juan Hernandez. I figured that was his last chance of accomplishing anything of note. However, there was hope he might become a useful Cal-bred after he was good enough to finish a distant second to the Bob Baffert-trained Desert Gate in the Best Pal Stakes at 2 and a fast closing third in his first start at 3 in the Cal Cup Derby. But he still had managed only one victory in eight starts.
Then came February 15 of this year. Unaware of his third in the Cal Cup Derby. I was shocked to see him in the entries for the $500,000 Sunland Derby. That shock was nothing compared to the shock of seeing him close relentlessly down the stretch to nail the 6-5 favorite Express Kid, who was coming off a 6 1/4-length romp in the Springboard Mile, by a nose on the wire in a gutsy performance. I couldn’t help but turn back the clock to 2018, as this victory came just a few days before Theo’s 8th birthday.
On March 15, Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed with Pavlovian, despite his Sunland Derby victory, going off at astronomical odds of 210-1.
Then one week later came his serious test in the $1 million Louisiana Derby at 1 3/16 miles, and Pavlovian again turned in an even gutsier performance, battling through rapid fractions and holding on tenaciously to be beaten a head by the 2-1 favorite Emerging Market, with the LeComte Stakes winner Golden Tempo finishing third.
Pavlovian, middle, finishes a head behind Emerging Market with Golden Tempo third in the Louisiana Derby.
It was hard to believe. Mandy’s Grace had a son who now had enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby and was definitely being pointed for the race, according to O’Neill. I just wanted him to get through the next six weeks and enter the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. I never dreamed that could be possible, and as someone who has covered the Derby for over 30 years, I knew not to exceed my dream level. It was just fun seeing all the photos and videos of Pavlovian posted by O’Neill on the stable’s Facebook page, from his birth right up to Derby week, even posing outside the barn with the entire team. It was as if I was right there along with him on the journey.
Pavlovian did make it into the starting gate, but was forced to go five-wide into the first turn and then chase a fast pace, still widest of all, that would take its toll on all those close to it. For whatever reason, he began to retreat on the far turn and was already last at the top of the stretch. From there, he was eased the rest of the way. This was a horse who had so much fight in him and was so fit and so tough, there had to be something either phyisically or mentally bothering him, even though he came out of the race in good shape.
As Doug O’Neill said afterward, “Enjoy the journey no matter the outcome. And that’s definitely what we did.” When I texted him to thank him for all the thrills and memories, his reply was short, but said it all: “With much love, Steve.”
We all are aware that horses often have inexplicable bad days, and this unfortunately was his. But no matter what the future holds for him he will always be defined by his courageous performances in the Sunland and Louisiana Derbys and not his one bad day in an 18-horse Kentucky Derby field, just as Fierceness will not be defined by his 13th-place finish in the 2024 Derby or White Abarrio by his 16th-place finish in 2022. I tried to imagine what the connections of Great White were feeling watching their horse make it to the starting gate only to rear up and flip over backwards, nearly falling on his jockey, and being scratched.
Pavlovian’s mystifying performance in the Derby soon will to fade with time, as he now points for either the Matt Winn Stakes or Ohio Derby. But there is one thing that will remain forever. The son of a mare named after my daughter made it to and ran in the Kentucky Derby. And on a glorious, but frustrating, March afternoon in a $1 million race at Fair Grounds, he “beat” the Kentucky Derby winner.
Pavlovian: Last in the Derby, first in my heart.
As for me, I was content with the pride and joy I felt just seeing Pavlovian walk into the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby. So many thoughts and images from two different worlds mingled in my memory, from all of Mandy’s inspiring ballet performances on stages from New Jersey to California to those special moments beginning at 11 months old, meeting, petting, and feeding such iconic Thoroughbreds as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Afffirmed, Spectacular Bid, Forego, Cigar and so many others.
Here in this one gray colt, it all came together and nothing he did after the gates opened mattered. After five decades of writing about the Derby dreams of others, I finally got to experience my own.
So, again, thank you Doug O’Neill and Paul Reddam for the memories and providing that special link to my daughter, whose name, at least to me, will always be part of Kentucky Derby lore.
As an addendum to this already remarkable story, later in the year another son of Mandy’s Grace, named Phone Booth, broke his maiden in his career debut and then proceeded to finish second to Bob Baffert’s leading 2-year-old, the brilliant Hughes, in the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes and Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.
So, Mandy’s Grace’s two sons have combined this year to win the $500,000 Sunland Derby and finish second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity to the possible favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile; second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, finishing ahead of the eventual Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Golden Tempo; and second in the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes. The only two trainers during that time to beat them were Bob Baffert and Chad Brown. Like Mandy, her namesake is the gift that keeps on giving.
“Oh!” as in Ocelli
As you have just read, when it comes to the Kentucky Derby you don’t have to win to see your dreams come true. As the field in this year’s Run for the Roses approached the sixteenth pole, a collective gasp could be heard from just about everyone watching when it looked as if a 70-1 maiden who just made it into the field two days earlier could actually win the race. That “staggering”thought lasted just a few seconds until Renegade and Golden Tempo came flying by him. But that horse, named Ocelli, did finish third, beaten only one length, and was two lengths clear of the fourth horse. That immediately brought a sinking feeling in the pit of the stomachs of those who came to the realization that their trifecta had been ruined by this supposed no-hoper who many felt didn’t even belong in the race, even though he was coming off a fast-closing third in the Wood Memorial.
The maiden Ocelli, top, finishes third behind Golden Tempo and Renegade in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
While they were licking their wounds and pounding their fist on the closest object available, somewhere in the stands, an unfamiliar bearded gentleman in a powder blue suit, his hand clutching his mouth, his head, and his chest in succession, was shouting in disbelief to his girfriend, who was echoing him in perfect harmony: “Oh, my God!…Oh, my God!…Oh, my God!” But he then went solo: “He got third!…He Got third!…He got (expletive) third!…Baby, he got third!”
Yes, a beaten horse had just made a dream come true for his breeder Rafael Weiss, whose father Jeff started Rosedown Racing Stables in Florida in 2012. When Jeff passed away in 2024 at age 81, Rafael, his head “still in another space,” decided four days later to sell the entire operation. He was only 19 when his father formed Rosedown, and Rafael would accompany him to the races and auctions before becoming more seriously involved in 2018. So when his father died he felt lost and no longer had the desire to continue. But after giving it more thought he changed his mind. “I just knew my father wouldn’t want me to throw away what he started and he’d want me to keep the tradition going,” Rafael said.
In 2018, Jeff had purchased a 2-year-old Scat Daddy filly privately after she had RNA’d two times, first as a yearling, and then again at the OBS 2-year-old sale. Named Zalia, she raced four times in Rosedown’s colors, twice trained by Brad Cox and twice by Bill Mott, before being retired. Bred to Connect, she produced an attractive bay colt in 2023. Rafael immediately took a liking to him, but because he toed out in both front legs, their bloodstock advisor said they should sell him and basically get whatever they could.
He was put in the February Fasig-Tipton Kentucky mixed sale, but it was decided to give him a little more time to mature and he was withdrawn to wait for the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Because he was such a handsome colt there was interest in him at the barn, but because of his physical flaw that’s where the interest ended.
When it was time for him to be sold, standing in the back ring was Travis Durr and Kyle Zorn of Legion Bloodstock. The colt caught their eye, and although they were not looking for a Connect and he was a bit crooked, they felt he might be something they could get cheap and “play around with him a little” at the farm, believing he could be a horse for down the road.
There wasn’t much action on him, and even though Durr and Zorn had just seen him for the first time in the back ring and hadn’t vetted him, they bid on him and got him for a paltry $12,000.
Travis, who owns Legion Bloodstock with Zorn and Kristian Villante, with their horses running in the name of Durr’s wife Ashley, named the colt Ocelli, which are the white spots behind a tiger’s ears. When the tiger lowers its head to drink or rest, these spots look like glowing eyes, giving the illusion that the tiger is still watching and keeping other animals away. Who knew that one day Ocelli would give the illusion he was going to win the Kentucky Derby.
With Legion Bloodstock being based in St. Matthews, South Carolina, they liked running their babies in the Aiken Trials, an event that was inaugurated in 1942, with races from 2 1/2 to four furlongs. In the 2025 Trials they ran Ocelli against a Knicks Go colt they liked a lot named Honey Dutch, who would go on to place in five consecutive stakes on grass.
Attending the Trials was trainer Joe Sharp, who goes there every year with his kids and his wife, former jockey Rosie Napravnick. “The kids’ pony is down here and we love going to the races,” Sharp said. “I had asked Travis if there was a colt he could put me on. Rosie wants no part of riding, but I like getting on the babies. I know they liked this gray colt Honey Dutch, but he put me on Ocelli and we beat beat Honey Dutch in the last 50 yards. I told Travis, ‘Man, this colt can run. He’s got some turn of foot; he just took off.'”
Kevin Page of Front Page Equestrian and Anthony Tate each bought an interest in Ocelli, who was sent to trainer Whit Beckman. The former assistant to Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown had finished eighth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby with Kentucky Jockey Club winner and Louisiana Derby runner-up Honor Marie, a colt Legion had broke and sold. Last year Beckman saddled the Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up Flying Mohawk in the Derby.
Beckman also liked Ocelli as soon as he arrived at his barn. “Early on, Whit said, ‘This is the best shot at the Derby I’ve ever had,'” Durr recalled. Beckman added, “I could see the effortless way he did everything. He has so much resolve, there’s no bottom to this colt. He’s a beautiful horse with a wonderful disposition. The first time I breezed him he went three-eighths in :34 for fun.”
Ocelli during a morning gallop at Churchill Downs prior to the Kentucky Derby.
But the colt’s career did not go as expected. He encountered extremely wide trips, bad starts, traffic problems, mucus in his lungs, a throat issue, and a failed attempt at blinkers. Even Sharp, who has followed his races, said recently he’s been a hard-luck horse.But Beckman always thought back to his career debut at Churchill Downs when he rallied from 10th to finish third at odds of 15-1 after a bad start. Then came strong second- and third-place finishes at Fair Grounds.
After eventful and unlucky trips in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay and the Virginia Derby, Beckman removed the blinkers and Ocelli responded by running a fast-closing third in the Wood Memorial despite being bumped at the start, going five-wide into the far turn and six-wide turning for home, and then getting stuck on his left lead in the stretch. What was important looking ahead was that his Thoro-Graph numbers improved from an “8 3/4” to a “5 1/2.”
Beckman felt strongly he was a legitimate Derby horse, but he needed two scratches to get in the field. He had worked back-to-back half-miles in a sharp :47 3/5 at Churchill Downs, and when he drew into the field two days before the Derby with the scratch of Fulleffort, Beckman told everyone he was going to run big. He was thrilled to be able to get a rider the caliber of Tyler Gaffalione, who had been beaten a nose in the Derby on Sierra Leone in 2024.
Having run twice in the Derby in the past two years, Beckman knew he didn’t want Gaffalione to give the colt his head right away because that’s when they get aggressive in such a big cavalry charge and run up into traffic. So he told Gaffalione to pull him Ocelli back as soon as he broke. His final comments gave the rider all the confidence he needed: “Listen, you’re gonna have a lot of horse under you when you get to the half-mile pole, so when you think it’s time, go.”
And boy, did he go. As the field headed into the far turn, you could see one horse near the rear of the field suddenly take off and begin flying by horses on the far outside. At the quarter pole, Ocelli was rolling as he circled the field and then surged clear of the pack in pursuit of the Japanese invader Danon Bourbon, who had opened a two-length lead at the eighth pole. Just as he collared the leader and looked like he could actually win the race, sending shock waves through the crowd, Golden Tempo and Renegade, rallying on the outside as a tandem, passed him right before the wire. He was beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length, with no one even coming close to threatening him for third.
Ocelli, third from right, vies for the lead in deep stretch, nearly staging the huge upset in Kentucky Derby 152.
To demonstrate just what a powerful race he had run, his Thoro-Graph number of “2 1/4” was faster than both Golden Tempo and Renegade.
“I always knew how much quality he had,” Beckman said. “They talked trash about him still being a maiden after six starts, but he was way more talented than your typical maiden. To me, I wasn’t running a maiden in the Derby. Everything just finally came together at the right time. After a race like that, most horses will stand in the back of their stall for three days, but he went right to the front of his stall and immediately started eating.”
Following the race, Joe Sharp kidded jockey Ben Curtis, who had ridden the colt twice, saying, “Well, I’m still the only rider who has won on him.”
This was another big moment for Travis Durr. Since 2017, nine horses have come off his training center (Travis Durr Training Center in St Matthews) to run in the Kentucky Derby, including Country House, the only horse ever to win the Derby on a steward’s disaqualification, and the 2022 third-place finisher Zandon.
Finally, there was Rafael Weiss experiencing the “greatest moment” of his life, knowing how proud his father would have been seeing his son carry on his dream. To further demonstrate the interconnected forces that often drive this sport, in 2024, Ocelli’s dam Zalia produced an Early Voting colt, who sold as a yearling last year for $475,000. Named, Outcomes Based, he is trained by Cherie DeVaux.
Yes, it was great to see racing being celebrated with a female trainer winning the Derby for the first time and the race getting record numbers on and off track. But not all the bows taken should be in front of the curtain. There are plenty of dreams that come true backstage, and the accolades there are equally as deserving and special in their own way. If you watch the videos of Cherie DeVaux and Rafael Weiss, starting when the horses hit the finish line, put it on mute and see if you can tell which one won the Derby. Pretty soon they will be on the same team.
For now, though, it is on to the Preakness for Ocelli, who will attempt to become the first maiden to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown since Refund accomplished the feat in 1888.
No matter what triumphs may await Ocelli and Pavlovian, they have shown us that dreams can come true in many different ways and by many different people, taking many different roads. We have just seen two examples of dreams coming true despite totally different results, neither of which ended being wrapped in a blanket of roses. But both shared one thing in common: The magic of the Kentucky Derby.
Part 1 photos courtesy of Gwen Davis/Doug O’Neill, Steve Haskin, and Jamie Newell/Hodges Photo; Ocelli Photos: Courier Journal/Timothy D. Easley, Matt Stone, and Scott Utterback.
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.
I read on the internet that Napoleon Solo earned a 96 BSF for his Preakness win. I don’t know if that is true. Hopefully, I can validate that number.
That would follow Golden Tempo’s 95 BSF in the Derby.
I hate to be the guy………………… forget it, I won’t be the guy.
Maybe we will see a triple digit BSF from one of these 3-year-olds in the Belmont at Saratoga. At just a mile and a half. MAYBE????
I’m thinking that Chad Brown’s filly that won the Kentucky Oaks could probably make some noise against this bunch of 3-year-old colts.
If nothing else, the 95 BSF and 96 BSF confirm what we said all along. That these colts are very close in talent. Which one’s turn will it be on Belmont Day?
Napoleon Solo is the first Champagne winner since 1995 to also win the Preakness. His Champagne feat was so impressive that it brougth memories of the great Champagne victors of the racing’s golden era.
We knew that the son of Liam’s Map was more than a mere miler.
But it took real patience to let Napoleon Solo heal and grow in training. Kudos to Chad Sommers for making his star rise to the top of the division.
In the Preakness he tracked closely a very demanding pace and still was able to run a faster final furlong than all the other horses trying to close on him.
If Napoleon Solo hits the Haskell and then the Travers, with his natural overpowering speed, he can open double digit lengths over any elite closer in the first furlong. That’s how he would become the leading 3-year-old going to the Breeder’s Cup.
Chad Summers is lining up for one of his best summers.
Last night (too late), I read about Napolean Solo’s monster works leading up to the Preakness. Back-to-back 6f in 1:11 and 1:10 over a deep Belmont track. People there said they have never seen anything like it. I usually look for works like that with these 3YOs but I totally overlooked it this time. Bummer.
Napoleon Solo will not run in the Belmont, per Chad Summers, in the Blood-Horse. Going for the Haskell, which is certainly more in his wheelhouse.
Sounds like most of the heavy hitters from the Derby are planning to go, though. Should be a humdinger.
I imagine most of us here are of middle age or later. We’ve had a nice run of racing in our lifetimes. Maryland put on a nice weekend of racing, and a handfull of meets continue to put on quality racing, decent fields, decent crowds and some excitement. But i can’t help noticing what is happening at some classic old tracks and their recently opened meets. Delaware and Monmouth, two of the most attractive and historic tracks we have left are running two or three days a week, with short fields of low level, used up horses. There is just no reason to go to the trouble and expense to attend these tracks. I’m not offering any answers or accusations. Things change. People change. Racing as a lifestyle is rapidly fading from our conciousness, and most of the world will never miss it.
Maybe The Puma and that Brad C synthetic horse that Steve Haskin likes will show up to challenge Renegade.
Brad C only had one horse on yesterday’s Preakness card. Todd Pletcher scratched his only entrant. Where were BB and Kenny McPeek? It’s all part of supporting the Triple Crown. Maybe they are all saving their horses for Belmont Day at Saratoga. If so, those races should be loaded.
Preakness Day stakes races aren’t big ones, like on Derby and Belmont days ..
It looks like we will have 3 different winners for the three Triple Crown races this year.
I expect Renegade will be a heavy favorite at Saratoga in 3 weeks. I will want to see which horses show up before jumping on his bandwagon.
Please tell me that the Belmont will be on Fox. I wouldn’t even complain if they bounce us around on all 3 of their channels.
After the talking heads on NBC gave their biased opinions on the spacing of the Triple Crown races, I think you can kiss the series as we know it goodbye. It looks inevitable.
Which may not be such a bad thing. But it will be a new thing. A whole different thing. The Triple Crown winners from the past will be legendary. The future Triple Crown winners will set their own records. Never being able to be compared with legends of the past. A hundred years later they will have records of their own. We’ll live. I figure that I have 8 to 10 years left.
Despite being 0 for 2 betting the Triple Crown so far this year, I was able to pull out a huge win yesterday thanks to hitting six of those very nice payoffs on the undercard.
You just never know where your scores are going to come from.
On to the Belmont in 3 weeks at Saratoga. I hope we get another full field. One last chance to salvage a Triple Crown win in 2026.
So the Preakness turns out to be a vindication of back class, with Napoleon Solo, Iron Honor, Chip Honcho, Ocelli, and Incredibolt in the top five slots, while the horses who needed to step up in class didn’t make the grade (pun intended).
Let’s hope Napoleon Solo’s connections not only keep him in training next year, but try him on the turf. Liam’s Map out of a Scat Daddy mare–sure has worked for Burnham Square, hasn’t it?
David D, great point. Napoleon Solo should be a tough nut to crack in the Haskell. I think that is a race they really want to win with him.
I was so pleased to see that Liam’s Map x Scat Daddy damsire cross getting it done on two cards yesterday! I have always thought the world of Liam’s Map, and I wonder if that nick would hold up with another generation between, on Justify mares. Really excited to see more of Burnham Square going forward. I love his versatility, and hope we get to see him do his thing for as long as he enjoys himself.
Napoleon Bonaparte se Roba El Preakness Stakes
Congratulations to Chad Summers, Paco, Mr. Gold, and all the connections of Napoleon Solo. Chad, especially, has earned a spot among the “name” trainers. And Napoleon Solo vindicated his classy Champagne performance. He’ll make the Belmont an interesting race, assuming he runs.
BloodHorse reports that his team is aiming for the Haskell; the Belmont is, in BH’s words, “out of the question.”
Hi Steve
Well, you nailed it again. You stated that Napoleon Solo and Iron Honor were the two most talented horses in the Preakness. I hope you played an exacta wager.
I didn’t think Napoleon would carry his speed over the Preakness distance.
Boy, was I wrong.
Nice handicapping, Steve
Thanks Bill. I did OK.😊
I’m happy for Paco. He’s made mistakes, and took his medicine when HISA made him their whipping boy. He may not look as good on a horse as the big guys, but all he does is win. Maybe he’ll get the respect that’s been lacking, and that will take a little chip off his shoulder.
Napoleon finally ran his race. Nice redemption.
Who picked Napoleon Solo for the win?
No closers making any impact on the finish through 8 races at Laurel.
Looks like Preakness is being bet like Preakness after Rich Strike’s win:
Currently 2 5-1 co-favorites, and longest shot currently 27-1!
This story brought tears to my eyes and hope to a broken heart. Thank you, Steve.
Thank you ao much Karin, I wish it does bring you hope whatever caused your broken heart.
Twinspires has the current odds on the Preakness, I see Taj Mahal currently at 6-5!! Do I see that right? I know it’s very early but that still seems very low?
Local horse, undefeated, $500+k, female trainer, physically imposing, no other standout horses…. lots of reasons to take money. I would expect 5-2 or less.
Ok, thanks Roan Boy!
It was reported less than 2 hours ago (closing of pari-mutuels pools) that Incredibolt and Taj Majal are tied at 5 to 1 as favorites in the Preakness.
Currently 5-1
Well I guess I looked at something wrong, thank you both for the updated odds!
Against stronger competition, Taj Mahal is unlikely to post the pedestrian fractions he routinely did against weaker opponents.
Good luck to the horse and his connections.
Don’t forget to cross your T’s (Taj Mahal, Talkin, The Hell We Did) and dot your I’s (Iron Honor, Incredibolt).
5 horse exacta box? That’s too good not to work lol.
Interesting angle Roan Boy !!!
Matt,
Thanks for bring this up.
The 1989 Preakness has to go down as one of horse racing greatest race ever Sunday Silence and Easy Goer … East versus West … Whittingham versus McGaughey … Day versus Valenzuela. I remember being at home watching the race screaming my lungs out for Sunday Silence . He and Easy Goer ding-donging it down the stretch then in the end it was Sunday Silence by a nose and surviving an objection by Day.
It was a Thriller like no other at the Preakness !!!
The 1989 Preakness and 1997 Preakness are two of my all time favorite races, 1989 was a battle royale, with many layers of intrigue…1997 had that “forever” outside horse who would not load, longest I ever saw—which may have hurt Touch Gold’s start….the two battling greys Silver Charm and Free House, and Captain Bodget and Touch Gold, what a great horse race! There was 1973 and “The Move”, when Ronnie took Big Red around the whole field going into the clubhouse turn….and 1986 was a personal victory, or sorts, when the “black aardvark” Snow Chief redeemed himself, when he put away Groovy, and won like the good horse he was …nine days after that winning The Jersey Derby….The Preakness has always been a great race, I thing Golden Tempo missed out on something big….
The great thing about those races is that the horses kept showing up. Horses were bred to race, not bred to breed.
So true…. So True !!!
Has a May foal ever won the Preakness? I think it’s because they aren’t as developed by that time. The morning line favorite is a May foal.
Name this horse…
“This colt has an abundance of stamina in both his male and female families”
“Consistency, natural speed, and staying power”
“There is no questioning this colt’s toughness and resiliency”
“He can press or set the pace”
“He is a serious horse who is dangerous on the lead, can fight when challenged, and showed he is better the farther he goes”
Those are all Steve’s words. And the horse is Chip Honcho.
Add to that, he looks like a man amongst boys right now at Laurel.
And that I believe he will be an overlay. 5-1 ml, but having finished 5th his last race, I’ll be shocked if he isn’t 8-1 or higher. Taj, Ocelli, Iron, and Incred will take all the money.
This is an easy decision for me. Big Win/Place bet on Chip Honcho.
My headline prediction after the Preakness….
Hip! Hip! Jose!
Jose Ortiz wins the Kentucky Derby and Preakness on two different mounts! 😁
The only grade one winner wins The Preakness ..the only other graded stakes winner runs second….both well clear….
In the last 35 Preakness s, 26 winners ran in The Derby….
Steve, these are great stories told in prose and poetry. I have an incredible Dad who has always believed in me and cheered me on, and is one of my best friends. When you write about your family, I can tell that you are one of the true Best Dads, too. What a beautiful, heartfelt piece to have written just after Mothers’ Day. Your wife and Mandy and her kids are so fortunate to have you. I know none of them will forget this Derby season, and I hope the ride with Pavlovian continues!
It is amazing all of the little things that happened and didn’t happen to bring this colt to the big stage. Maybe Pavlovian just needs a little more white in his coat to match Mandy’s costume to be able to soar to full potential. He’s in good hands with Doug, I think.
Both Pavlovian and Ocelli have sentimental appeal to me, too. I had a personal experience with Bellamy Road the year he was headed to the Derby, and Ocelli is doing my home state proud! The explanation of his name made me like him even more. (Some of us in SC are partial to Tigers.) I’m pulling for him to put it together on Saturday.
Thanks again, Steve. You never fail to find fresh perspectives in this old sport.
Thank you so much Katy. And for sharing the relationship with your father. I can certainly relate to it and it warmed my heart to read it. Id love to know your personal experience with Bellamy Road.😊
One of the finest horse racing related articles I’ve ever read. Thanks so much for the great read Steve.
I really appreciate it Joseph. Thank you so much.
Just for the Hell of It….. I am going to place a small wager on … “The Hell We Did” .
He gets a decent jockey in Luis Saez and I think he may be able to sit off the pace and come on at the end.
This could be a Hellava Preakness !!!
Once again I will not be betting the house on him !!!
His Thoro-Graph and Ragozin numbers are very strong.. He will improve a lot off the Lexington. He was too close to the pace coming off those fast sprints. Definite play at a price.
I know the story behind his name. It’s a great story.
Thanks Steve,
Would love to hear the story on his name. And I agree with you I don’t want him on the pace.
The “star” of this weekend is Laurel!…..With the house,outside the track …beautiful old place……
My handicapping does not say Chip Honcho.
But my eyes do. Wow. He is a clear physical standout.
Very nice card on tap for the Preakness at Laurel Saturday. Eight stakes, four of them graded, and the Sir Barton field includes the return of Reagan’s Honor along with Final Story, impressive winner of his first two starts. (That race goes off at 1:30 p.m., so don’t sleep in!) Looking over the PPs (already up on the drf), so many of the runners in this year’s Preakness are coming off lackluster races. There should be a hot pace, but I expect Ocelli and Incredibolt to be there at the finish.
UPDATE::
Danon Bourbon out for the rest of the year. Upon returning to Japan they Xrayed his knee and found bone fragments. He will need surgery to remove and connections have decided to rest him the rest of the year. They said injury occurred during the Kentucky Derby. This is bummer news.
Thank God he did not breakdown during the race.
I saw that. Both bad news and good news.
Danon Bourbon was my key horse in the tri and super. He gave me a thrill with his run and I assumed that he tired from his effort, yet it appears that he had the bone fragment issue during the race. What a gutsy horse as he never gave up. Hope to see him back on the track next year.
So true Dewey… He gave a courageous performance!!!
Steve, thank you for this story and sharing your memories and your feelings with us. It wakes all of us up to realizing that there are so many stories, hopes and dreams behind each and every horse lucky enough to participate in this thing we call the Kentucky Derby. I have never forgotten how you lamented your own lack of time to a man standing with crutches by Barn 42 one year who was waiting for anybody from the media to show him some attention and during the stretch call of that Derby, Dave Johnson, froze, unable to process in his own mind what was happening: that a 50-1 shot was annihilating with every step the field he was facing. We all want to go to the windows and cash the big ticket while others want to hold onto their memories of what got them there in the first place.
Well said Rob. I never bypassed anyone after that. You need to hear everyone’s story. His was a story waiting ro be told.
A beautiful tribute to your daughter, Steve. Here’s hoping Pavlovian bounces back and provides even more memories for your family.
Thank you Dutch. Im just going to toss the Derby out. Hes pointing for either the Matt Winn or Ohio Derby. But no matter what he does hes given us all the memories we need.
Every article I read that you have wrote especially in regards to the horses and who and what brought them there.. I am always left with chills and always waiting for more.
Thank you so much Candi. I really appreciate that.
Steve there are many writers who can write but there are not many who can grab the reader into the emotions of the story like you are able to do. Each Monday I come to this site hoping to see another great story. Not only are the stories inspiring but I get a history lesson as well….TY for another great one…
That is very kind of you. Thank you so much. Your words mean a lot.
Not only a terrific writer and handicapper you are also a poet!!! Love the story and it shows how widespread the joy of racing can be felt by all directly connected and those with only an inspiring story behind breeding and connections. Thanks again and again for your tales of the turf!
Beautifully said Ed. Thank you very much. It is greatly appreciated.
Hi Steve
Thank you for providing a truly, inspiring story on your personal connection with Pavlovian and Mandy’s Grace. Your poem was quite moving to say the least.
On a side note, the upcoming Preakness Stakes appears to be wide open, with a full field of 14 horses entered. From my perspective, Ocelli and Incredibolt are the top two entered and should be fighting it out at the finish. As a longshot, I believe Pretty Boy Miah could hit the board to round the superfecta.
That said, I’ll key Ocelli and Incredibolt on top, in the first two slots, with Iron Honor, Chip Hocho, Taj Mahal, Talkin, The Hell We Did and Pretty Boy Miah underneath in the 3rd and 4th slots.
That is: 2, 12/ 2,12/ 1,5,6,7,9,14/ 1,5,6,7,9,14. Cost: $60.00
Safe trips to all.
Thank you very much Bill. This is a strange race with 6 speed horses and several stalkers. Should definitely set up for Ocelli and Incredibolt. I guess Riley looked at the field and thought if im ever gonna win a classic this is the one. IMO the two most talented horses in the field are Iron Honor and Napoleon Solo.
I think Cherie played it wrong, I heard she never comes back in two weeks, I think she made a mistake, she would have had this race in her hip pocket! Two jewels, going for The Triple Crown! Golden Tango would have laid over this field, not so, in The Belmont …
(Tempo)
I’m not sure about that. Trainers run cover for nervous owners, so who knows if it was her decision. And i don’t think G T is good enough to ever be a sure thing. The KD field should have strung out at the finish, considering the pace, but it didn’t. There wasn’t the usual carnage. Maybe the owner or trainer were afraid their horse would have been exposed.
Thanks for the reply, Steve
In my view, Napoleon Solo appears to be a sprinter/middle distance type. After looking very impressive in his Champagne win, he faded badly in the FOY and the Wood Memorial. Are you convinced he has the ability to carry his speed over the Preakness distance? I have my doubts.
I can’t argue with your opinion regarding Iron Honor, he’s a legitimate contender for win consideration. His pedigree is very impressive, top and bottom.
Good luck if you bet the race, Steve.
Its hard to tell how far he wants to go but when you say he faded badly in the Wood he went head and head with a very good horse when he was 80% after suffering a cracked heel and was beaten 2 3/4:lengths.
Good combination as per usual Bill.
I am playing the same Ocelli/Incredibolt key but beneath I am using 13-Great White and 10-Napoleon Solo instead of your 7 and 14.
Very interesting Preakness with many contenders having their chance to shine!
Thanks for the reply, Nelson
From my perspective, Napoleon Solo appears to be a sprinter/middle distance type. I expect him to be one of the pace setters, early on, but I doubt if he has the ability to carry his speed over the Preakness distance. His 9.00 Dosage Index is telling.
Great White hasn’t shown me enough to include him in my superfecta wager.
At 15-1, Pretty Boy Miah appears to be an improving horse that is bred for distance. His dam side reflects a significant amount of class and stamina influence, IMO.
I made a costly mistake in the Derby by not boxing the Ortiz brothers in an exacta wager, which I do 95% of the time. I don’t intend to make that same mistake again.
Good luck, Nelson.
Hi Nelson
Upon further review, I decided to throw out The Hell We Did, and replace him with Napoleon Solo in my superfecta wager. I based this change on your recommendation of NS, and Steve Haskin referring to him as one of the two most talented horses in the Preakness field. I still believe Ocelli and Incredibolt will be the top two finishers in the race. My current superfecta wager will be as follows:
2,12/ 2,12/ 1,5,6,9,10,14/ 1,5,6,9,10,14.
Just for the hell of it, I’ll place a few bucks on Pretty Boy Miah (if his 15-1 opening odds remain steady).
Good luck.
That is good way to go… after all, we are talking about filling the bottom of the exotics and Napoleon Solo is more than able to do that.
As Steve said, the angle is that he was not 100% (hoof troubles per his trainer) for the Wood and still held for 5th less than 3 lengths to Albus and only 1.5 lengths behind Ocelli and 1.5 length in front of Iron Honor.
If the son of Liam’s Map is able to be the “speed of the speed” he might surprise everyone.
Steve, what I love about your story telling is that you do not hold back when you share the emotions that you feel for the subject matter (in this case your daughter, Mandy). This is a beautiful piece of writing, allowing us to feel your sense of love and pride.
Thank you! I got a feeling that Pavlovian will add more to the story in the weeks and months to come.
Good stuff on Ocelli’s background. I just wish I would have known his story before the Derby, ha, ha! He has a great shot in the Preakness with the race having plenty of speed to set up an honest pace. Thanks again, Steve.
Thank you ao much Dewey. I feel racing or anything you are passionate about should bring out your emotions. That is one thing that everyone shares. When you do it on a personal level you have to make sure you don’t go over the top. Im sure some may feel this was too personal, but in a case like this I am interested mainly in what I feel and want to share. And hope people can relate to it, either as a parent, grandparent, or a lover of horses and the special moments they give you.
I agree, Steve. Special moments always touch our hearts and bring out our emotions. As passionate horse lover, I am sustained by many such moments.
Thank you Steve for the superb story. As always, your examinations of what I called the “interesting stuff” helps keep me interested in racing after 61 years. Nobody does it better.
I do believe Ocelli will be my Preakness horse. I pick my horses emotionally, always have, so Ocelli is right up my alley. Plus, always good to see the so called little guys win.
Thank you Sharon. 61 years…good for you!
Beautiful, Mr. Haskin. Just beautiful.
By my count, there are 9 horses in the Preakness that race on the lead or close to it. Another fast pace could be all that Ocelli and Incredibolt need to be in contention nearing the finish line.
I think a lot of handicappers are going to like Ocelli and Incredibolt, Tommy. With all the speed in this year’s Preakness, it’s a perfect setup for the stalkers. I like these two but their odds will bet down, I think. Looking like a better race than I expected. Ocelli cost me big time in the Derby so now it’s payback time (fingers crossed). Good luck with your bets.
Thank you, Steve, for … well … just because. Your stories always bring me joy.
So Happy to hear that. Thank you!
Steve,
Thanks for sharing another personal story of yours. It was beautifully written and it always amazes me how you interweave it into something to do with horse racing. The height of your daughters leap in that picture is a show stopper in itself.
I also like when you give us backgrounds into horses and their journey into a special race (in this case the Kentucky Derby).
Once again Steve you outdid yourself with this piece !!!
Have a Great Week and good luck to all on the Preakness !!!
Thanks so much. This one was special to me.
That was a wonderful article. As parents, we all want what’s best for our children, what goals they set and how they go about accomplishing such goals. We take pride in their achievements. But, to have a TB horse named after your child is the icing on the cake.
Thank you. We’ll, Mandy is not only very accomished professionally and a wonderful person, she is a great mother, so Mandy’s Grace has done her proud.
Interesting to note….the FOUR prior races, to The Preakness…are on turf…..if weather is dry and warm…track could get quite deep, would be several hours between dirt races …
As someone who is slowly but surely losing my sight, I could see in the picture…Mandy had “hops”, she is way up there! …
I thought Pavlonian had not been working very well, and he never showed the speed he had, in Louisiana, Doug…ever the optimist was as upbeat as ever, and I admire his positivity….
Steve I like Talkin, I’ve liked him for some time, I’m attracted to Thoroughbreds with small heads, and that is Talkin!…Three half mile works, each better in progression, I like that, too..
Such beautiful and improbable stories, told with love (for the horse as well as his daughter Mindy), attention to the sorts of details that bring stories to life, and a sense of whimsy and delight. ☺️🐴❤️
Thank you very much Laura. I appreciate the kind words.
That feeling of seeing Pavlovian going to the gate was so much more than if you had purchased a hair of Authentic’s tail (through MyRacehorse). So happy (sorry, couldn’t resist) you got to experience your own personal Derby moment. I will be cheering on Ocelli in the Preakness.
Haha great memory Karren. This one puts that one to shame. This was about the journey and about our daughter and memories. And we dont have ro share with a thousand people.😊
Please, Steve, indulge yourself anytime! I had tears in my eyes after both stories and your poem Mandy’s Grace was well… sheer poetry and beautiful!
I really appreciate that. Tears is the greatest compliment a writer can get. So thank you!
Ill be cheering for ocelli and pavlovian…hope they go to saratoga! and really a great article…
👍👍🙌🙌
Wow ! Steve, this is the most beautiful piece you have ever created. The poetry inspired by your beautiful daughter is truly moving. Your love elates the soul.
Comparing the illusions of tiger’s eyes and Ocelli’s winning the Derby is also pure poetry.
You just made me a poetry lover today!
Your Wikipedia page should be edited to “is an American horse racing journalist, POET and author”.
Thank you so much, Nelson. This one, as you can tell, was special to me.
What a wonderful piece, Steve. (VERY impressed by Mandy’s leap in the still from the Nutcracker — she clearly has grace!) While your daughter’s interests have turned elsewhere since her ballet days, I expect more great performances from Pavlovian. He’s the essence of a gritty racehorse. And Ocelli’s story is a true Cinderella tale. With the upcoming Preakness as much of a crap shoot as the Derby was, I think you may have landed on the eventual winner. I’ll be rooting for him.
Thank you very much Ms. B.
So special, Steve: your memories will last generations in your family. That is some legacy!
I don’t usually get emotional reading, but I sure did just now!
I really appreciate that, Biggy. Thank you so much.