Sonneteer faces small cast in new-look Super Derby

The Super Derby regularly attracts horses who ran in the Kentucky Derby, and this year is no different despite the fact the race will be run on turf for the first time. Sonneteer, 16th in the Kentucky Derby, continues to change his focus from the main track to the grass for the $200,000 race, which is the highlight of the meet at Louisiana Downs.

“We’re always looking for a good reason to come home,” said Keith Desormeaux, a Louisiana native who trains Sonneteer.

Mr. Misunderstood brings a 4-for-4 turf record into the Super Derby. He defeated fellow entrant Fast Talkin Man in the local prep, the Prelude Stakes.

Phat Man might have a tactical advantage in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile race as a runner who can be closer to the pace than most of his rivals, perhaps tracking Flying Honeypot.

“It looks like it’s a very evenly matched race,” said Brad Cox, the trainer of Mr. Misunderstood.

The Super Derby will go as the 11th race on a 13-race program that includes six other turf stakes. Purses for the stakes total $540,000. There will be an all-stakes pick four on races 8-11 with a guaranteed pool of at least $75,000. First post is noon Central.

Super Derby, Race 11

KEY CONTENDERS

Sonneteer, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 74-78-67

◗ Sonneteer established his class this spring when as a maiden he ran second in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn and a close fourth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.

◗ After the Kentucky Derby, he returned home to Southern California and ran twice, winning a maiden special weight on the grass under Desormeaux’s brother Kent in his most recent start July 23 at Del Mar.

“We ran him after the Derby at Santa Anita, and he ran a dull fourth,” Desormeaux said. “Kent got off him and said, ‘Look, I know nothing’s wrong with him. I think he’s just sour from the dirt.’ Sonneteer comes from the clouds, and he seemed, according to Kent, to be just tired of getting pelted with the dirt. So, you know what the answer to that is – give him a little bit of a freshening and put him on the turf, and it seems to have done the trick. We’re going to stick to it.”

◗ Keith Desormeaux is looking for his first Super Derby win with his second starter in the race. Last year, he sent out Dalmore to finish second by a half-length to Texas Chrome.

“That was a tough beat,” Desormeaux said. “Dalmore ran a great race. Hopefully, we can improve on last year.”

◗ Gerard Melancon has the mount on Sonneteer, a Calumet Farm homebred who breaks from post 5.

Mr. Misunderstood, by Archarcharch
Last 3 Beyers: 88-63-89

◗ He earned a fees-paid berth in the Super Derby with his 2 1/4-length win in the Prelude on Aug. 5. One start prior, Mr. Misunderstood finished an uncharacteristic seventh in the Illinois Derby on April 22.

“We tried to make him a dirt horse, ran him in the Illinois Derby,” said Cox. “We figured out it’s best to keep him on the grass. He’s been good to us there.”

◗ Mr. Misunderstood will break from post 4 under Chris Rosier.

“He normally sits midpack and stalks,” Cox said. “He’s a smart horse. He’ll relax, do what the rider wants.”

Phat Man, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 81-93-86

◗ The winner of the $100,000 Long Branch Stakes in July at Monmouth Park, he comes off a sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park.

“I thought he was in good position,” said trainer Joe Sharp. “He kind of got sandwiched down the lane. He’s such a big horse, it’s hard to get back up under himself. He was in a tight spot turning for home. It cost him a few places, I think.”

◗ Phat Man has run three times on turf, with his best result a second-place finish in a starter allowance.

Gorgeous Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-82

◗ He is turning back in distance from a fifth to Oscar Performance going 1 1/4 miles in the Secretariat at Arlington. Before that he finished second in both the Grade 3 American Derby and Grade 3 Arlington Classic.