OBS graduates Carpe Diem, El Kabeir, Ocho Ocho Ocho and War Story will go to the post in Saturday’s 141st Kentucky Derby. If one should win, he would be the fourth OBS grad to take the Run for the Roses.
The first was 1992 winner Lil E Tee, a colt by At the Threshold consigned to the 1991 Spring sale by Brent Fernung’s Sylvan Crest Stud, agent for Green Key Farm, and sold to Al Jevremovic for $25,000. Purchased privately by trainer Lynn Whiting on behalf of W. Cal Partee, Lil E Tee won the Jim Beam Stakes (G2) prior to his Derby victory and was a graded stakes winner at four before retiring with earnings of $1.4-million.
Silver Charm, hero of the 1997 Derby and Preakness, was a two time OBS graduate, sold first by Janie Roper, Agent to Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds for $16,000 at the 1995 August Sale and then resold by Hartley/De Renzo for $100,000 at the 1996 Spring Sale. Trained by Bob Baffert and racing for Bob & Beverly Lewis, the Florida-bred son of Silver Buck was a graded stakes winner at two and captured both the Derby and Preakness in heart-stopping fashion. Although his Triple Crown bid came up short in the Belmont (G1), he went on to win seven more graded stakes, including the Dubai World Cup (G1) and retired with earnings of over $6.9-million. Voted 1997’s 3-year-old champion, he was inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
I’ll Have Another, by Flower Alley, consigned by Eisaman Equine, Agent, on behalf of Victor Davila to the 2011 Spring Sale, was purchased by Dennis O’Neill for $35,000 on behalf of J. P. Reddam. After winning the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for trainer Doug O’Neill, he unleashed a relentless stretch drive and overpowered Bodemeister in the final yards to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). With the Triple Crown in his sights after an even more thrilling stretch run in the Preakness (G1), he was retired on the morning of the Belmont due to injury. Winner of the Eclipse Award as 2012’s 3-year-old champion, he retired to stud duty at Big Red Farm in Japan with earnings of over $2.6-million.
WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Carpe Diem will be among the Derby favorites, coming into the race off a three length victory in Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes (G1) after returning to the races with a win in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). A winner of four of five starts including the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1), his only loss was a second place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Breaking from post two, he’ll be ridden by John Velazquez. The colt by Giant’s Causeway, trained by Todd Pletcher, has three graded stakes wins to his credit and earnings of $1,519,800. After working an eighth in :10 1/5 at the Under Tack Show prior to the 2014 OBS March Sale, he was purchased out of the Northwest Stud consignment for a co-sale topping $1.6-million. watch his under tack video
Zayat Stables LLC’s El Kabeir has been a solid performer since his ten length romp in a maiden special at Saratoga last summer. A winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) over the Churchill Downs surface at two, he has won the Jerome (G3) and Gotham (G3) at three. Trained by John Terranova, he comes into the Derby with $768,892 in earnings. The colt by Scat Daddy, who will break from post seven and be ridden by Calvin Borel, was purchased for a co-sale topping $250,000 by EQB, Inc. on behalf of Zayat Stables from Summerfield Sales (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent for Rustlewood Farm, at the 2013 OBS August Yearling Sale. Selected Sale conformation photo
DP Racing, LLC’s Ocho Ocho Ocho, who drew the rail and will be ridden by Elvis Trujillo, brings a solid resume into the Derby. He boasts three wins in five trips to the post, including a victory in the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3) at two, and earnings of $793,580. Trained by James M. Cassidy, he comes into the race off a third place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. A son of Derby winner Street Sense, he was named for his hip number (888) in the 2014 OBS April Sale. Consigned to the sale by Grassroots Training & Sales LLC, he was selected by Gary Young and purchased by Deron Pearson’s DP Racing for $200,000 after working an eighth in :10 1/5 at the Under Tack Show. watch his under tack video
Loooch Racing Stables, Inc., Glenn K. Ellis and Christopher T. Dunn’s War Story has been flying below the radar all winter at Fair Grounds. Trained by Tom Amoss, he’s been on the board in the LeComte (G3), Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2). The colt by Northern Afleet, a winner of both his other starts, has earned $234,600 to date. He’ll be ridden by Joe Talamo and break from the 18 post. Consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, to the 2014 March Sale, he breezed an eighth in :10 4/5 at the Under Tack Show before failing to meet his reserve. watch his under tack video