Brisset hopes We the People's first two starts are preamble to success in Arkansas Derby

Rodolphe Brisset oversaw Justify’s very early training before he was sent west to Bob Baffert, and on to a Triple Crown. Brisset is not about to make a prediction that We the People can follow in those footsteps, but he’s certainly hoping We the People – who, like Justify, did not race at 2 – can emulate Justify by winning a Grade 1 stakes race in his third start when he makes his stakes debut Saturday in the Arkansas Derby.

We the People, a cleverly named son of Constitution, has formed a perfect union so far with Brisset. He won first time out by 5 3/4 lengths against maidens going one mile Feb. 12, then exactly four weeks later won a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles by five lengths. Of the nine runners in the Arkansas Derby, he has the least experience.

“Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to be around some good horses,” said Brisset, who was a longtime assistant to Bill Mott before going on his own, “and I think that, with the good ones, talent can overcome inexperience.

“This horse has a lot of talent. Before his first race, the weather was so bad he went two weeks without a work, tack-walked around the barn for six days, then went to the track for just two days before he ran.”

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Brisset, who gallops We the People, takes him out each day just before the first renovation break, when traffic is light. We the People is eager to get going, and the experience of Brisset keeps him from doing too much.

“It’s that Tapit side,” Brisset said, referencing that Constitution is a son of Tapit, whose progeny are known for being both talented and headstrong. “We work around him. We adapt to him. He’s fresh, happy, strong. He doesn’t shake his head. It’s a happy gallop, a strong gallop.”

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And on Saturday, Brisset is hoping he’ll gallop right to the winner’s circle.