Churchill Downs: Almost Famous has look of possible Kentucky Derby colt

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A few more like that, and Almost Famous might be more than “almost.” The 2-year-old colt blew away what appeared to be a very competitive field of allowance routers Saturday at Churchill Downs, leading Pat Byrne to already start working backward from the 2014 Kentucky Derby.

“I think he’s a top horse, I really do,” said Byrne, who two years ago was in a similar position with Take Charge Indy, the eventual winner of the Florida Derby. “This colt is big, strong, correct, with good bone, a good mind, and a long stride. He’s still a big, green baby, too, so there’s plenty of room for improvement.”

Making the third start of his career, Almost Famous seized the early lead in the 1 1/16-mile race and drew off with flair after putting away a 63-1 longshot turning for home. He won by six lengths as a lukewarm 5-2 favorite, earning an 86 Beyer Speed Figure and likely earning a spot in the Grade 2, $175,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 30, closing day of the Churchill fall meet.

Almost Famous, like Take Charge Indy, is a well-bred colt owned by Chuck and Maribeth Sandford. He is by Unbridled’s Song out of Wild Gams, a standout sprinter who earned nearly $1.2 million.

“He went out there and did what he had to do,” Byrne said. “He wasn’t pushed at all down the stretch, and I believe he could have done more if he’d been extended. He came out of it in excellent shape, so we’re very happy with him.”

By comparison, Hard Aces, a 3-year-old colt, earned an 89 Beyer in winning a first-level allowance at the same distance later on the Saturday program. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, New Year’s Day, got an 88 Beyer, and Byrne is encouraged that Almost Famous is in the same ballpark.

“The Kentucky Jockey Club is going to come up with a full field,” he said. “Nobody’s going to duck anybody. I think we’ll all find out more that day, and we’ll head to Florida for the winter and get a game plan going down there for the Derby.”