Stewart again is longshot king of Derby weekend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dallas Stewart did it again. The 57-year-old trainer with a knack for blowing up the Churchill Downs tote board on Kentucky Derby weekend sent out three winners last week, furthering his reputation as a producer of live longshots.

Darion’s Dream ($26.20) won her career debut in a maiden-claiming race Thursday, and then Northwest Bourbon ($29.40) and Shes a True Beauty ($15.20) won on the Oaks undercard.

“It was a great thrill,” Stewart said. “The horses ran great. It’s just a real special time, Derby week. A lot of people come to the races who usually don’t, and if they cashed some tickets, maybe they’ll consider staying in as part of the business. Hopefully, the industry as a whole put on a good show for them.”

Stewart has a history of producing upsets. In 2005, he sent out Lemons Forever ($96.20) as the biggest-priced winner in Oaks history. In 2013, he saddled Golden Soul (34-1) to be second to Orb in the Derby, and in 2014, he had Commanding Curve (37-1) as the Derby runner-up to California Chrome.

Stewart also was happy with the third-place finish from Tom’s Ready in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs on Saturday and said the 4-year-old colt could run back on the June 10 Belmont Stakes undercard in the Met Mile. Last year on Belmont Day, Tom’s Ready won the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at 7-1.