Derby Comments By Brock Sheridan Photos by Coady and Chelsea Durand

#1 , 6-1 Drawing the inside post is his biggest problem. He won the (G1) at in his last start, and an allowance race, also at Gulfstream, before that on Feb. 26 and is trained by two-time Derby-winning trainer (, 2017 and , 2010). The Florida Derby has produced more Ken- tucky Derby winners than any other prep race (24) and six winners since 2000. Third in the Rem- sen (G2) won by Brooklyn Strong at Aqueduct on Dec. 5 and fifth in the Sam Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 6, Known Agenda looks to be a “getting good at the right time” horse with the addition of blinkers for his last two races. Irad Ortiz Jr. is a plus, even among the world’s best and post one. Known Agenda

#2 Like the King, 50-1 Won the Grade 3 at in his last race and his first career victory was on turf, so rac- ing on dirt for him is a question mark. In two starts on dirt, he was second in his career debut in July and third against allowance horses at in October. Although this is the first Derby starter for trainer Wesley Ward, he has a reputation for his horses performing well on a world stage.

Like the King

#3 Brooklyn Strong, 50-1 Was the last to qualify for the Kentucky Derby as he made the field over the weekend when others were with- drawn. Won the (G2) in New York on Dec. 5 then finished fifth in the Resorts World Casino Wood Memorial (G2) on April 3. Also won the minor Sleepy Hollow Stakes at in October but will have to show improvement to be competitive with some of the best in the Derby.

Brooklyn Strong

#4 Keepmeinmind, 50-1 One of two horses in the Kentucky Derby field with a stakes victory and the only one with a graded stakes win over the surface having won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club there Nov. 28. Has been dull in two races this year with a sixth in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn and fifth, beaten more than 16 lengths by and Highly Motivated, in the Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland on April 10. The first Derby starter for mid-west high percentage trainer Robertino Diodoro and will need to correct his habit of breaking from the starting gate slow to be in the hunt here.

Keepmeinmind

#5 Sainthood, 50-1 Was second to Like the King in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on a synthetic track in his last race on March 27 off of a maiden score at Fair Grounds on Feb. 13 in his second career start. Has the benefit of being one of four Derby starters from the Todd Pletcher barn and reports say his morning works have been notably good. Lacks experience at this level and will be a big surprise if he improves enough to win the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Corey Lanerie has been a top rider at Churchill for years so he knows the course and should be an asset. Sainthood

Continued on next page Kentucky Derby Comments By Brock Sheridan Photos by Coady

#6 O Besos, 20-1 Closed with a rush to finish third in the (G2), two lengths behind winner and just a head behind . He is the son of -winner and his dam, Snuggs and Kisses, was a stakes-winner around two turns so distance is not a question. In fact, distance may work in his favor as he likes to come with a late run. However, he may have same challenges in Kentucky Derby as he did when fourth in the (G2) when he was forced to go five-wide in the second turn. The post should help him avoid that problem on the first turn as he will likely be eased into a comfortable, no-rush strategy early in the race. He also has shown improvement in each of five career starts so he is one to con- sider for a those seeking a longshot.

O Besos #7 , 15-1 Mysteriously threw a clunker in his last race as the 6-5 favorite when sixth behind Derby contenders Hot Rod Charlie and Midnight Bourbon, who were first and second respectively in the Louisiana Derby (G2). He won the Risen Star (G2) two starts back, defeating Midnight Bourbon in third, but was third as the odds-on favorite in the Lecomte won by that one the race before on Jan. 16. An inconsistent type who could surprise in the Ken- tucky Derby with one of his top performances.

Mandaloun

#8 Florida-bred , 15-1 This Florida-bred is the lone starter this year trained by Hall of Fame and six-time Kentucky Derby trainer . This one-time $1,000 yearling won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 30 in a gutsy performance defeating third-place finisher and Kentucky Derby foe Hot Rod Charlie by a neck. He was then second in the San Felipe (G2) to Baffert super star Life is Good—who was sidelined with a minor injury—be- fore finishing second as the favorite to Kentucky Derby entrant in the (G1) in his last race. Ironically, Florida-bred took the same pattern into the 1997 Kentucky Derby (2nd in both San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby) and gave Baffert his first win in the Run for the Roses. A Baffert horse at 15-1 deserves wagering consideration.

Florida-bred Medina Spirit #9 Hot Rod Charlie, 8-1 Will try to give trainer Doug O’Neill his third Kentucky Derby victory from just six starters after saddling winners I’ll Have Another in 2012 and in 2016. Hot Rod Charlie won the Louisiana Derby (G2) while leading from gate to wire showing he has the speed to position himself well early in the crowded Kentucky Derby. He was also third in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita won by Derby foe Medina Spirit on Jan. 30 but it was a tena- cious effort as he lost only by a neck. He was also second to Essential Quality in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in November, so he has shown to be on par with the Derby favorite.

Hot Rod Charlie

Trained#10 Midnight by Hall of Fame Bourbon, trainer Steve 20-1Asmussen and comes into the Kentucky Derby after finishing second to Hot Rod Charlie in the Louisiana Derby (G2). The most consistent performer in all three Derby prep races in Louisiana having won the Lecomte (G3) on Jan. 16 and finishing second to Derby rival Mandaloun in the Risen Star on Feb. 13 before the La. Derby second. Never worse than third in seven career races but the Lecomte is his only victory in stakes company. Sire won the Breeders’ Cup Classic twice, once at Churchill, so he should like the distance.

Continued on next page Midnight Bourbon Kentucky Derby Comments By Brock Sheridan Photos by Coady

#11 Dynamic One, 20-1 Caught at the wire by longshot and fellow Kentucky Derby-contender Bourbonic in the Resorts World Casino Wood Memorial (G2) in his last race on April 3. One of four Kentucky Derby entrants trained by two-time Derby winner Todd Pletcher and he has looked good in morning works. The Wood was also his first start after winning his first career race in his fourth try so experience is a question. However, his sire, Union Rags, won the Belmont so he should like the distance despite being caught late in the Wood.

Dynamic One

#12 Helium, 50-1 The lightly-raced winner of the (G2), which he won after a five-month layoff. He is undefeated in three starts and would have had more, but the pandemic canceled racing at his base at Woodbine last year—hence the long layoff. He has looked good in morning works at Churchill from the barn of lifetime Ocala resident Mark Casse, who has expressed high level of confidence in this horse since the Tampa Bay victory. He’s had a long time between Tampa Bay Derby win on March 6 and the Kentucky Derby, but his last race showed he can perform well when fresh. Speed figures don’t measure up, but Casse notes five-wide trip off long layoff in Tampa Bay Derby off-sets those marginal numbers.

Helium

#13 Hidden Stash, 50-1 Was a well beaten fourth in the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland in his last race on April 3 and second to Helium in the Tampa Bay Derby. Has never won a stakes-race but does have a victory at Churchill Downs, win- ning a first level optional claiming allowance there in his last start as a juvenile in November. His best races have been well below the standards of this Kentucky Derby field and will be a big surprise if he gets close.

Hidden Stash

#14, Essential Quality 2-1 He is undefeated in five starts and is the morning line favorite at 2-1. He was pushed hard by Derby con- tender Highly Motivated in winning the Toyota Blue Grass (G2), so wondering if that effort may have taken a bit of the polish off. Has also benefited from passing early leaders who tired after a fast pace in previous races which is an unlikely scenario in the Kentucky Derby. The last undefeated Derby starter was Maximum Secu- rity in 2019, who crossed the finish line first, but was disqualified and placed fourth. Since 2000, there have been 15 undefeated Derby starters but only five have won the Run for the Roses. He is also the first Derby starter for trainer and Louisville native Brad Cox, who will also saddle Mandaloun. Luis Saez is a top rider who can prove to be an additional weapon. Essential Quality

#15 Rock Your World, 5-1 He won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) while leading from start to finish in what was only his third career start and first on dirt. He is undefeated in those three races and has the slight edge among Derby contenders with the highest Beyer Speed Figure of 100 from the Santa Anita Derby. Although he won impressively by four-and-a- half lengths ahead of the Bob Baffert-trained Derby horse Medina Spirit in the Santa Anita Derby, he will not get another uncontested early lead in Kentucky. Fourth Derby starter for top trainer John Sadler who looks for first Kentucky Derby score. Jockey has been on fire of late and should prove to be a big asset.

Rock Your World Continued on next page Kentucky Derby Comments By Brock Sheridan Photos by Coady

#16 King Fury, 20-1 He was a come-from-behind winner of the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 10 on a track that favored closers. It was also his best career race using several metrics, so he is a candidate to bounce in the Run for the Roses. He has two wins at Churchill including a victory in the minor there around two turns in October and a maiden score first out in September. He is by Horse of the Year Curlin out of Taris, multiple graded stakes-winning, millionaire mare who won at such levels around two turns, so he should like the distance.

King Fury #17 Highly Motivated, 10-1 Gave Essential Quality all he wanted when second by a neck to the Derby morning line favorite in the Toyota Blue Grass on April 3. The Blue Grass was Highly Motivated’s first race around two turns, first race while run- ning on the lead, and an improvement from his first start of 2021 when third in the Gotham (G3) in New York on May 6. Improving trend should continue, especially when trained by Chad Brown, the young, four-time -winning trainer (2016-2019) who has been very selective about who he takes to the Kentucky Derby. Brown has only five Kentucky Derby starters previously and was second in 2018 with Good Magic and fourth with Normandy Invasion in his first try in 2013. Also has multiple champion jockey which gives him another plus. Highly Motivated

#18 Super Stock, 30-1 He was a 12-1 upset winner of the (G1) in his last start, a race which produced 2019 Ken- tucky Derby winner and 2015 Triple Crown-winner in recent years. He is trained by Hall of Fame trainer , who has a deceptive 0-21 record in the Kentucky Derby de- spite his excellent credentials as a trainer. In other words, Asmussen is due to win eventually. Super Stock also has tactical speed so he figures to be in a good position to make a run turning for home. Is another who has improved in each start this year so may be at his best at the right time.

Super Stock #19 Soup and Sandwich, 30-1 A Florida-bred, who was second to Known Agenda in his first start against stakes horses in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby on March 27. That was also only his third career race after winning his debut at Gulf- stream by more than seven lengths on Jan. 28 and an allowance at Tampa Bay on Feb. 24. He set the pace in the Florida Derby, so look for him to also be close in early stages of Kentucky Derby. The outside post also gives jockey Tyler Gaffalione a clear path to find optimal spot before getting to the usually crowded club- house turn. Inexperience also showed in Florida when he did not change leads late, so he has more room for improvement. Florida-bred Soup and Sandwich

#20 Bourbonic, 30-1 He comes into the Kentucky Derby off of a win in the Resorts World Casino Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct at odds of 72-1. Outside post is not a concern as he will be in no hurry to get the lead and will likely be to- wards the back of the pack early in the Kentucky Derby. Look for him to make his big late run so he’ll need some racing luck in last half-mile. One of four Derby starters for trainer Todd Pletcher and while he has won three of his last four, the victories have come against much less talented horses. His sire, Bernadini; and ma- ternal grand-sire, Florida-bred Afleet Alex, are both Preakness winners so distance should not be a concern.

Bourbonic on next page Derby Post Positions 147th Running of the Kentucky Derby

Owner: St. Elias Stable Owner: Bernard Racing LLC, Tagg Team Racing, Trainer: Todd Pletcher 6-1 West Point and Terry L. Stephens Trainer: Gregory Foley 20-1 KNOWN AGENDA 1 Ch. c. Curlin-Byrama (GB), by Bryon (GB). 6 O BESOS Bred by St. Elias Stable (Ky) Ch. c. Orb-Snuggs and Kisses, by Sofo. Bred by L. Barrett Bernard (Ky) Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Irad Ortiz Jr. 126 Martin Pedroza

Owner: M Racing Group Owner: Farms Inc. Trainer: Wesley Ward 50-1 Trainer: Brad Cox 15-1 LIKE THE KING MANDALOUN 2 Ch. c. -Like a Queen, by Corinthian. 7 B. c. -Brooch, by . Bred by Horseshoe Racing LLC (Ky) Bred by Juddmont Farms Inc.

Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Drayden Van Dyke 126 Florent Geroux

Owner: Mark Schwartz Owner: Zendan Racing Stables Trainer: Daniel Velazquez 50-1 Trainer: Bob Baffert 8-1 BROOKLYN STRONG B. g. -Riviera Chic, by Medaglia d’Oro. MEDINA SPIRIT 3 Bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Galivan (NY) 8 Dk. b. or br. c. Protonicio-Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed. Bred by Gail Rice (Fla) Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Umberto Rispoli 126 John Velazquez

Owner: Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, Owner: Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing LLC, Spendthrift Farm LLC 50-1 Strauss Bros Racing, Gainesway Ltd. Trainer: Robertino Diodoro Trainer: Doug O’Neill 8-1 4 KEEPMEINMIND 9 HOT ROD CHARLIE B. c. Laoban-Inclination, by . Dk. b. or br. c. -Indian Miss, by . Bred by Southern Equine Stables LLC (Ky) Bred by Edward A. Cox (Ky)

Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 David Cohn 126

Owner: CHC Inc. and Winstar Farm LLC Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC Trainer: Todd Pletcher 50-1 Trainer: Steven Asmussen 20-1 SAINTHOOD MIDNIGHT BOURBON 5 Dk. b. or br. c. Mshawish-Lemon Hero, by Lemon Drop Kid. 10 B. c. Tiznow-Catch the Moon, by . Bred by Edward Taylor & Springland Farm (Ky) Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Ky)

Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Corey Lanerie 126 Mike Smith

Continued on next page Churchill Downs—05/01/21 12th Race / Approx. Post: 6:50 P.M. 2 Dirt / One Mile and One Quarter / Track Record: 1:59 ⁄5

Owner: Repole Stables, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable Owner: Fern Circle Stables, and Trainer: Todd Pletcher 20-1 Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) 20-1 Trainer: Kenneth McPeek DYNAMIC ONE 11 Ch. c. Union Rags-Beat the Drum, by . 16 KING FURY Bred by Phipps Stable (Ky) Ch. c. Curlin-Taris, by Flatter. Bred by Heider Family Stables LLC (Ky) Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Jose L. Ortiz 126 Brian Hernandez Jr. Owner: D J Stable LLC Owner: Klaravich Stables Inc. Trainer: Mark Casse 50-1 Trainer: Chad Brown 10-1 HELIUM HIGHLY MOTIVATED B. c. Ironicus-Thundering Emilia, by . B. c. Into Mischief, by Strong Incentive, by Warrior’s Reward. 12 Bred by Teneri Farm Inc. & Bernardo Alvarez Calderon (Ky) 17 Bred by Klaravich Stables (Ky) Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 126 Javier Castellano

Owner: B B N Racing LLC Owner: Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen Trainer: Victoria Oliver 50-1 Trainer: Steven Asmussen 30-1 HIDDEN STASH SUPER STOCK Ch. c. Constitution-Making Mark Money, by Smart Strike. B. c. Dialed In-Super Girlie, by Closing Argument. 13 Bred by Rhineshire Farm (Ky) 18 Bred by Pedro Gonzalez & P.J. Gonzalez (Ky) Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Raphel Bejarano 126 Ricardo Santana Jr.

Owner: Godolphin LLC Owner: Live Oak Plantation Trainer: Brad Cox 2-1 Trainer: Mark Casse 30-1 ESSENTIAL QUALITY SOUP AND SANDWICH Gr/ro. c. Tapit-Delightful Quality, by Elusive Quality. Gr/ro. c. Into Mischief-Souper Scooper, by Tapit. 14 Bred by Godolphin (Ky) 19 Bred by Live Oak Stud (Fla) Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Luis Saez 126 Tyler Gaffalione

Owner: Hronis Racing LLC and David Michael Talla Owner: Calumet Farm Trainer: John Sadler 5-1 Trainer: Todd Pletcher 30-1 ROCK YOUR WORLD BOURBONIC Dk. b or br. c. (Arg)-Charm the Maker, by Empire Maker. Dk. b or br c. Bernardini-Dancing Afleet, by Afleet Alex. 15 Bred by Ron and Deborah McAnnaly (Ky) 20 Bred by Calumet Farm (Ky)

Weight / Jockey Weight / Jockey 126 Joel Rosario 126 Kendrick Carmouche