Lookingoodinatux gets a distance test in CTBA Derby

The question dogging every one of the 12 horses entered in Saturday’s $40,000 Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Derby at Arapahoe Park is distance. The 1 1/16-mile race has drawn just one horse to have started at a mile or more, Vsaidno. But there are a number of horses bred for the task, chief among them Lookingoodinatux and Mr Wild Kitty.

The CTBA Derby is restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Colorado.

Lookingoodinatux is one of the most accomplished members of the field as the winner of last year’s Silver Cup Futurity at 5 1/2 furlongs at Arapahoe. He’s made just one start this year, finishing sixth in a first-level allowance at five furlongs, a June 6 race at Arapahoe that marked his first start against older horses and his first on a muddy track.

Lookingoodinatux now makes the move to two turns and is bred to make good use of the added ground as a son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus and the Polish Numbers mare Polish Nana. Luis Rodriguez has the mount for Annette Bishop and trainer Kenneth “Butch” Gleason.

Mr Wild Kitty is another who gets pedigree support for the new distance demands as a son of Kitten’s Joy, a multiple Grade 1 winner at two turns. He’s a maiden but has stakes experience, among his efforts a fourth-place finish in the Silver Cup Futurity.

Arnie is the probable favorite on the strength of a recent 5 3/4-length allowance win at Arapahoe.