O'Neill to send Vlahos, Raging Torrent to Woody Stephens

Vlahos, making his first start since being purchased following a blazing career debut that earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, finished a gallant third on Kentucky Derby Day after contesting a strong pace in the Pat Day Mile. But he was not the fastest 3-year-old one-turn dirt horse of the day for trainer Doug O’Neill.

In Saturday’s 13th race, following the Derby, Raging Torrent went wire to wire in a first-level allowance, winning by more than eight lengths, his seven-furlong time of 1:21.13 good for a 104 Beyer.

Both horses, all being well, will be aimed at the Grade 1, $500,000 Woody Stephens on June 8 at Saratoga, O’Neill said.

Raging Torrent, a Maximus Mischief colt, showed promise as a 2-year-old, contesting to no great effect a pair of Grade 1 route races last year. He had most recently run in a turf sprint before besting his previous high Beyer by 21 points.

“He’s a tall, long-striding lanky horse, looks like he’ll run a mile and a quarter, but as I tried to stretch him out, he kind of fizzled,” O’Neill said. “Just getting him back to one turn helped. He’s a horse that likes to run in the bridle.”

Vlahos regressed to an 89 Beyer in his second start but probably outran the figure.

“He did all the running, and we were very impressed he didn’t just throw in the towel turning for home,” said O’Neill. “If both horses are doing great, they both deserve a chance in the Woody Stephens.”

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