Sires of the 2016 Kentucky Derby: Tapit
Sires of the 2016 Kentucky Derby: Tapit
Nicole RussoMay 02, 2016
Sires of the 2016 Kentucky Derby: Tapit
Bernardini won one of the most tragic runnings of the Preakness ever, but he has confirmed that triumph – and year-end champion 3-year-old male title – by becoming a top sire and source of high-quality runners who can get two turns, a number of which have been successful at the 10-furlong distance of the Kentucky Derby.
Sires of the 2016 Kentucky Derby: Street Cry
Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm has already seen national success with foals by their homegrown sire Awesome of Course, led by Awesome Feather, the champion 2-year-old female of 2010 who won that year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies under the Breis’ colors. The next frontier for Awesome of Course appears to be the Kentucky Derby, with Fellowship.
The final pieces of the workout puzzle for Kentucky Derby 2016 were put in place Monday morning at Churchill Downs with three top contenders – Mor Spirit, Creator and Gun Runner – turning in their final breezes just five days out from the main event.
There will be a lot heard in Louisville this week about Wood Memorial runner-up Trojan Nation trying to become the first maiden to win the Kentucky Derby in 83 years. His arrival at Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon was sure to be greeted by winks and derision, while trainer Paddy Gallagher would be following on Tuesday. Was he ready for the ridicule?
On Saturday, Brian Hernandez Jr. finally gets to fulfill every jockey's dream when he rides in the Kentucky Derby for the first time. He will be aboard longshot and Louisiana Derby runner-up Tom's Ready.
Trainer and co-owner Ron Moquett dubs Kentucky Derby contender Whitmore a “freak athlete,” and named the gelding for an old friend who also fits that mold.
Doug O'Neill's barn, which supports racehorse aftercare via a number of outlets, is known for using off-the-track Thoroughbreds as stable ponies – most famously, the barn's multiple Grade 1 winner Lava Man.
Two-time leading sire Tapit and first-crop phenom Uncle Mo hold the strongest hands of the five stallions looking to pull off a rare Kentucky Derby-Kentucky Oaks double this week.