Rosenblum finds himself in a unique position

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Harry Rosenblum, an investment banker based in Little Rock, Ark., is having a notable influence on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Far Right, a horse he owns in partnership, won Oaklawn’s first Arkansas Derby prep, the Smarty Jones Stakes, and War Story, a horse he sold this winter, ran second in the first Louisiana Derby prep at Fair Grounds, the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes.

Both horses made the first edition of Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch, and both will be in the starting gate Monday for the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. The race continues the march to the Arkansas Derby, and depending on field size, there is an outside chance Rosenblum could start recent private purchase Sakima.

Rosenblum, 64, has landed in such a unique position after working to rebuild his stable that currently numbers eight to nine horses, among them Gentlemen’s Bet, who is “about ready to enter” for what will be his first start since finishing third in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Rosenblum usually has 10 to 12 horses in training.

“We had had a rough year with injuries and that sort of thing, and I decided I wanted to try to build up our stable,” Rosenblum said. “Part of that effort was to try to come up with a good 3-year-old.”

Rosenblum found more than one. Far Right caught the owner’s attention last spring, and Rosenblum’s interest deepened as the company the horse kept blossomed. In April, Far Right ran second to Conquest Tsunami in a maiden race at Keeneland, and in May was second to Cinco Charlie in a maiden race at Churchill Downs. Both horses have gone on to win multiple stakes. Rosenblum, meanwhile, met with Far Right’s owner, John Jazdzewski, last summer, closed the deal, and the horse was sent to Rosenblum’s trainer, Ron Moquett.

“In buying this horse, I’ve gotten to know the breeders of the horse and the former owner, and it’s like everybody’s rooting for us,” Rosenblum said. “John just called and he’s thinking about bringing his family to the Southwest. It’s been exciting.”

Far Right debuted for his new connections in September, and won a maiden special weight race at Churchill. He went on to run fourth in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont; third in the Street Sense at Churchill; and third in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot in November. Robert LaPenta bought a third of the horse in early December.

“Bob is a good friend,” Rosenblum said. “We have a business relationship outside of horse racing. I’m really glad to have him come in as a partner, and I’m hopeful we can get to the Kentucky Derby.”

Far Right took a step in that direction Jan. 19, when he won the $150,000 Smarty Jones. Mike Smith was aboard, and will have the mount in the Southwest, said Rosenblum. The race Monday will be at 1 1/16 miles, while the Smarty Jones was a mile.

“The extra sixteenth of a mile is certainly going to help,” Rosenblum said. “His dosage indicates an aptitude to run farther, and get better the farther he goes. His dosage is actually the lowest I’ve seen of horses on the Derby trail.”

Rosenblum purchased War Story last May as a 2-year-old in training for $51,000. The horse won a maiden special weight race in his debut at Churchill on Nov. 1. Rosenblum then sold the son of Northern Afleet to Christopher Dunn and Loooch Racing Stables.

“I sort of made a decision off that good race to go ahead and sell him,” Rosenblum said. “He was a gelding. I had an opportunity to make a profit, and I thought about it and I did it. That happened mid-November.”

War Story won a first-level optional claimer at Fair Grounds on Dec. 28, then proceeded to run second in the Lecomte. He shipped into Oaklawn on Sunday night to complete preparations for the Southwest, trainer Tom Amoss said Monday.

“I wish his new owners the best,” Rosenblum said. “I hope he earns a lot for them. They’re people who are excited about the game.”

After selling War Story, Rosenblum bought Sakima, a colt by Curlin. He was drawn to the horse’s pedigree and potential residual value as a stallion, noting Sakima is from the female family of Mineshaft and Tomisue’s Delight.

There is a working list of 10 to 12 starters for the Southwest. Trainer Todd Pletcher said J S Bach would run, with John Velazquez to ride. Mr. Z is a go with Corey Nakatani, said trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Others starters are expected to be Bayerd, Bold Conquest, Instant Replay, Kantune, Private Prospect, and The Truth Or Else. Phenomenal Phoenix is possible, said trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

◗ Purses will increase by $1,000 to $3,000 a race starting Thursday. Oaklawn will add $3,000 to the purses of open allowances and claiming races with a tag of $25,000 or more. Purses for higher-end maiden-claiming races will be boosted by $2,000 each, while maiden special weights and lower-level claiming races will each be increased by $1,000.

– additional reporting by Jay Privman