Trainer Jimmy Jerkens was enjoying his first Kentucky Derby experience until Wednesday’s post-position draw, where his Wood Memorial winner, Wicked Strong, was assigned post 20 for Saturday’s 140th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
Wicked Strong has much in his favor, including sharp form, proven class, and a big Beyer Speed Figure (104) earned last month scoring a visually impressive victory in the Grade 1 Wood.
In this year’s Kentucky Derby, it could be the speed horses, rather than the stretch runners, who hold the aces. And California Chrome may hold them all.
It is a little surprising but perhaps appropriate that Centennial Farms and trainer Jimmy Jerkens will be making their Kentucky Derby debuts together when they send out Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong in Saturday’s 140th Run for the Roses.
California Chrome has won four straight races, and when he goes for five on Saturday in the 140th Kentucky Derby, he’ll be wearing number 5, the post he drew when a full field was entered on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
Spokane is not among the more heralded Kentucky Derby winners. By an Illinois sire, he was foaled in Montana, trained for the races in Tennessee, and won the Derby’s 15th edition on May 9, 1889, 125 years ago.
By riding in their first Kentucky Derby together Saturday, Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr. will become the first set of brothers to ride in the same Derby since Eddie and Sam Maple did so in 1984.
The Kentucky Derby invariably brings together an eclectic mix, not only among horses but their jockeys as well.
Another series of overnight showers created a muddy racetrack for training hours Wednesday. Although the regular Derby/Oaks training session at 8:30 a.m. attracted plenty of attention, the star of the show, Derby favorite California Chrome, went out early at 6:50.
Ten years ago, trainer Rick Violette Jr. sent out his first starter in the Kentucky Derby, Read the Footnotes, who finished seventh. He’s back anew at Churchill Downs with Samraat, the once-beaten runner-up in the Wood Memorial, and is savoring the moment.
