Derby Clocker: Combatant takes stage
The theme of Monday morning's special Kentucky Derby/Kentucky Oaks training session was again “one and done.”
Mike WelschApr 30, 2018
The theme of Monday morning's special Kentucky Derby/Kentucky Oaks training session was again “one and done.”
When Bolt d'Oro runs in Saturday's Kentucky Derby he will carry the silks of Spendthrift Farm rather than the colors of his owner and trainer Mick Ruis.
Jockey Javier Castellano chose to ride Audible over Bolt d'Oro in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but he said he greatly admires Mick Ruis, trainer and owner of Bolt d'Oro.
Trainers Todd Pletcher and Dallas Stewart, both former employees of Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, recall Lukas's 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors.
Few have logged more miles this year in pursuit of the Kentucky Derby than My Boy Jack. With two or three Kentucky Derby preps now the norm for top contenders, My Boy Jack had a busy spring with four preps in four states.
Last year at this time, trainer Mark Casse was in the eye of the storm with enigmatic 2-year-old champion Classic Empire, who attracted intense attention Kentucky Derby week. Not so this year with Flameaway.
Few would compare Kentucky Derby longshot Combatant to any of the leading contenders for Saturday's race, although the colt reminds his trainer, Steve Asmussen, of another prominent horse: 2017 Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee.
When John Velazquez guided Always Dreaming to victory in last year's Kentucky Derby at 45 years old, he became the second-oldest rider to win the world's most famous horse race. Velazquez doesn't have designs on chasing the record set by Bill Shoemaker, who won the Derby at age 54 aboard Ferdinand in 1986.
Trainer Mick Ruis, who retains and embraces his blue-collar roots, will mingle with the blue bloods when he sends out his colt Bolt d'Oro in the 144th Kentucky Derby.
Together, trainer Bill Mott and Juddmonte Farms have teamed to win 13 Grade 1 races with horses such as Close Hatches, Proviso, and Emollient. There is one race – the race – that has eluded them: The Kentucky Derby.