King Ottoman pointing to a Derby in the Midwest for his next start
King Ottoman has a couple of different upcoming stakes options following his breakout win last month in the $300,000 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park.
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday that King Ottoman is being considered for a start in either the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby or the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby.
The Ohio Derby is a 1 1/8-mile race June 25 at Thistledown. The Indiana Derby will be run over 1 1/16 miles July 9 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
King Ottoman won his maiden in the Texas Derby, when he battled for a head win over stablemate Presidential in the 1 1/16-mile race May 30. The victory came in King Ottoman's fourth start, following a third-place finish in a maiden special weight against older horses at his base of Churchill Downs.
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Asmussen was pleased with King Ottoman's effort in the Texas Derby.
“He’s always had good ability, always trained like a good horse, and it was time for him to step up,” he said Tuesday. “I think he’ll finish off the year well - and be better when he’s older.”
King Ottoman is a son of Curlin who races for his breeder, Three Chimneys Farm. He breezed Sunday at Churchill in his first move since the Texas Derby, going five-eighths on a fast track in 1:01.
Presidential, who came into the Texas Derby off a first-level allowance win at Oaklawn, is having some downtime, said Asmussen.
“He’s getting a little break,” he said.
Presidential, who won his maiden last year in Indiana, is a son of Pioneerof the Nile. He races for Courtlandt Farms and, like King Ottoman, was bred by Three Chimneys Farm.