Four OBS graduates will run for the roses on Saturday, with Goldencents, Revolutionary, Itsmyluckyday and Falling Sky trying to become the fourth Kentucky Derby (G1) winner sold by the sales company. Lil E. Tee (April ’91) was the first in 1992, followed by Silver Charm in 1997 (April ’96, August ’95) and I’ll Have Another (April 2011) last year.
W.C. Racing, Dave Kenney and RAP Racing’s Goldencents would be getting a lot of attention prior to the Derby even if the RAP didn’t stand for Rick Pitino, coach of the 2013 NCAA basketball champion Louisville Cardinals. But extra attention will be focused on the son of Into Mischief, as he’s trained by Doug O’Neill, back at Churchill Downs after winning last year’s Derby with OBS April graduate I’ll Have Another. A star ever since an eye-popping maiden win at first asking at Del Mar, he comes into the race with three graded stakes wins to his credit, including his recent victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Like I’ll Have Another, he was purchased by Dennis O’Neill; the trainer’s brother plucking him out of the Southern Chase Farm (Greg and Karen Dodd) consignment at the 2012 OBS June Sale for $62,000. Now 6-4-1-0, he has earned $1,250,000. watch his under tack video
WinStar Farm LLC’s Revolutionary brings a three race winning streak to the starting gate in the Derby, with his connections hoping his bad racing luck is behind him for good. He comes into the race off an overland journey to victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2) after overcoming a nightmare trip and winning the Withers Stakes (G3) by a neck. Sold for $235,000 at the 2012 OBS March Sale by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, the colt by War Pass has a 6-3-1-2 record and earnings of $788,500 to date. watch his under tack video
Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa’s Itsmyluckyday comes into the race off a good second to probable Derby favorite Orb in the Florida Derby (G1). He punched his ticket to Louisville a race before in Gulfstream Park’s Holy Bull Stakes (G3), handing Eclipse Award winner Shanghai Bobby his first defeat in track record time. The colt by Lawyer Ron was sold by Eisaman Equine, Agent, for $110,000 at the 2012 OBS March Sale. With four stakes wins to his credit, he sports a 10-5-2-1 record and earnings of $625,600 watch his under tack video
Newtown Anner Stud, James Covello and Joseph Bulger’s Falling Sky, who topped the Horses of Racing Age section of the 2013 OBS Winter Mixed Sale, brings a 6-3-0-1 record and earnings of $249,800 to the Derby. After the Lion Heart colt, consigned by Off the Hook, went to Justin Casse, Agent, for $425,000 in January, he produced a quick return on investment with a victory in Tampa’s Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3). Second to unbeaten Verrazano in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), he comes into the race off a fourth place finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1). watch his under tack video