European Horse of the Year Giant's Causeway has not yet sired an American classic winner, but his legacy is playing an even bigger role on this Derby trail. His son Not This Time is the sire of four horses in this week's Derby Watch Top 20, with Epicenter, recent winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star, climbing the chart and Chasing Time looking to move forward in the Grade 2 Rebel.
Owing to poor performances in the Risen Star by two members of the inaugural Derby Watch top 20 last week, Ben Diesel and Cyberknife have been added to the list. Pappacap and Slow Down Andy have been removed.
The light bulb went on with Epicenter after just one race. It's been a slower burn with Chasing Time. Epicenter last week, in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, won the first Kentucky Derby prep worth 50 points to the winner, and on Saturday Chasing Time will try to keep pace in the second, the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel at Oaklawn.
Epicenter, who deserved a better fate with a terrific performance in the Lecomte Stakes, got a much more favorable pace scenario in this race. He took full advantage, leading from start to finish, seeing out nine furlongs with no problem, while earning a strong Beyer figure in beating two fellow top-shelf Kentucky Derby prospects.
In the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds, Epicenter glided along through moderate fractions, flying solo, going comfortably from the start. Joel Rosario threw his reins at Epicenter approaching the eighth pole and Epicenter burst to a 4 1/2-length lead, Rosario looked under his right shoulder, saw no competition, and geared down his mount to post a 2 1/2-length victory.
Barber Road has put trainer John A. Ortiz on a path to the Kentucky Derby, which has been a goal for the horseman since he opened his public racing stable in 2016.
Saturday's 1 1/8-mile Risen Star at Fair Grounds is no easy spot for Smile Happy, but neither was the Kentucky Jockey Club which he won in his most recent start last November. Trainer Ken McPeek said the Risen Star and whatever the next race is for Smile Happy merely are bridges to the Triple Crown, but if this colt has progressed over the winter, he'll be a handful.
It seems appropriate that New Orleans, adopted home of Emeril Lagasse, is the locale where the Road to the Derby kicks it up a notch. The Risen Star Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds is the first race on the road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs that offers 85 points overall, with 50 going to the winner.
2022 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Smile Happy
Todd Pletcher, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, has four of the runners on the inaugural Derby Watch top 20.
