Improbable's talent trumps inexperience in Street Sense Stakes
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Improbable filled Justify’s stall when the 2018 Triple Crown winner was retired. Now, he is doing his part to fill his shoes.
Racing for the same team as Justify – owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing, plus Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert – Improbable improved to 2 for 2 in decisively winning the $100,000 Street Sense Friday at Churchill Downs. The victory appropriately came on Future Stars Friday, the 2-year-old showcase first day of the Breeders’ Cup.
He raced like a colt with the potential for stardom. Stretching out to a one-turn mile after narrowly breaking his maiden at Santa Anita Sept. 29, he engulfed the field with a three-wide surge on the turn and pulled away from Trophy Chaser to score by 7 ¼ lengths. He ran a mile in a quick 1:35.61 over a fast surface.
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Although his talent was apparent in the Street Sense, so was his inexperience. He was a step slow to begin, sitting sixth of nine after a quarter-mile, and needed urging from jockey Drayden Van Dyke to stay focused down the stretch.
“He kind a jacks around – he’s still a 2-year-old,” said Van Dyke, who was aboard Justify for his maiden win before Mike Smith became Justify’s regular jockey. “But the way his stride is, it’s so efficient. He hits the ground like a cloud.”
Trophy Chaser, who established the pace with fractions of 22.27 seconds, 44.96 and 1:09.83, held second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of third-place Distant Shore. Manny Wah, Marquee Prince, Louder Than Bombs, Moonster, Reward the Miracle, and Unionizer completed the order of finish.
Improbable ($3.80), a son of City Zip out of the A. P. Indy mare Rare Event, left his connections excited for what comes next.
“I can’t ever expect him to do what Justify did, but hopefully he’s a nice horse,” said WinStar Farm CEO Elliott Walden.
Baffert mentioned the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Nov. 24 or the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 8 as potential targets for Improbable.
“We’ve always been quietly high on this horse,” he said.