West End Kid possible for Saratoga Derby
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West End Kid, beaten a nose by Title Role in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on July 3, will have one more race this year before being put away and geared up for a 4-year-old campaign, trainer Will Walden said Wednesday. Right now, that race looks like the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby on Aug. 8.
“He’s bounced out of the race really well. He’s staying up in Saratoga. If we feel like he’s right and ready, the Saratoga Derby is a definite possibility,” Walden said. “Then we’ll put him away for the year. We’re excited for this horse as an older horse.”
West End Kid, a son of Twirling Candy owned by Mo Speed Racing, has won 3 of 5 starts this year, including a victory in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge at Saratoga in June. In the Belmont Derby, West End Kid was on his left lead as he was attempting to close on Title Role, who got first run on West End Kid.
“He’s had several starts relatively close together. We just don’t want to hammer him all the way through the end of the year,” said Walden, who started West End Kid in a maiden race in February at Gulfstream Park. “He’s had a long year, put in some really big, big efforts. So after his next race, wherever that is, we’ll put him away.”