Kentucky Derby 2019 Daily: Coliseum 'wasn't a surprise'

Welcome to Horse Racing Nation’s Kentucky Derby Daily, which will each day leading up to the May 4 race at Churchill Downs detail all the news and notes related to contenders in one convenient space.

Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin’s United States branch, put to rest the rumors that the worldwide racing and breeding operation sent the flashy homebred Coliseum to trainer Bob Baffert just for the purpose of winning the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

“No, not at all,” Bell said, rather explaining a decision was made to better spread Godolphin runners across the U.S. Some went to Baffert, others to fellow California-based trainer Richard Mandella, and a few to Michael Stidham, who stables in the East.

“Sheikh Mohammed was always very appreciate of Bob’s support of the (Dubai) World Cup and bringing horses over to run,” Bell said. “They’ve had a great relationship for many, many years. It was a very natural move.”

All that said, it’s still one that could pay off on the first Saturday in May.

Coliseum gets his chance to step forward Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sham Stakes, a points-paying Derby prep. The son of Tapit romped in his debut at Del Mar and has posted a series of top-notch works leading into his first attempt against fellow winners.

“He’s a horse that certainly identified himself,” Bell said. “He wasn’t a surprise, truthfully. He’s one of those that never seemed to have a growth stage or awkward time. He always seemed ready — always — just one of those types that was mature and balanced from the get-go.”

Godolphin is coming off a year in which it won the Dubai World Cup with Thunder Snow, the Epsom Derby with Masar and the Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter. Plus, domestically Line of Duty showed promise as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf hero.

Over the years, the organization has won just about everything except the Derby, with its first starter Worldly Manner in 1999 and highest finisher Frosted, the fourth-place finisher in 2015.

“It’s a dream. It’s obviously a very elusive one, but it is a goal I’m quite certain Sheikh Mohammed would like,” Bell said. “One of the great things about Sheikh Mohammed is his absolute patience. When the time is right — when the right one comes — it’ll happen.”

Baffert has worked Coliseum to get him race ready dating back to May. Sons of Tapit are notoriously headstrong, and the Hall of Fame trainer enlisted Joe Talamo, a jockey who he credits for high strength, in handling the colt.

Coliseum was made the Sham’s even-money morning line favorite with six rivals in the field.

“He’s a horse that loves what he’s doing, and obviously he’s very athletic,” Bell said. “He’s a horse that, while you can’t call him a juvenile anymore, is an eager sort of rambunctious type that’s got all kinds of energy. With Bob’s history and expertise, he knows how to combine that energy with the talent.”

Derby links

• Pedigree analyst Laurie Ross ran down six newly turned 3-year-olds and their bloodlines, asking the big question: Do the likes of Instagrand, Mind Control and Coliseum want the Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance? 

• Still Dreaming, the half-brother of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, will take his own try at the trail after breaking his maiden on New Year’s Day. The Derby Radar profiles trainer Graham Motion’s latest prospect. 

• Our HorseCenter video show previews the Sham Stakes and the weekend’s other big stakes for 3-year-olds, Gulfstream Park’s Mucho Macho Man. See who hosts Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman consider the top contenders for both. 

Derby prep picks

HRN handicapper Jarrod Horak’s selections for the Saturday preps…

Gulfstream Park’s $100,000 Mucho Macho Man (4:41 p.m. ET)

#6 MIHOS - Sharp last-out maiden winner drew well and could run past them all under Jose Ortiz. 

#4 Code of Honor - A clean start might be all it takes to win this for Shug McGaughey's highly regarded colt. 

#1 Garter and Tie - Saves all the ground from off the pace and might land a share. 

The Plays: #6 to win, exacta box 4-6, trifecta 4-6/ALL/1 

Santa Anita’s $100,000 Sham Stakes (7:04 p.m. ET)

#2 GRAY MAGICIAN - Exits big maiden win and might sit the right stalking trip. 

#5 Coliseum - Cruised in his debut and could be any kind for Baffert. 

#6 Gunmetal Gray - Hooked Game Winner in last pair and should be finishing. 

The Plays: #2 to win, exacta 2/5-6, exacta 5-6/2

The works

Epic Dreamer — The beaten Springboard Mile favorite is back to work for trainer Kelly Breen at the Palm Meadows Training Center, where on Friday he breezed five furlongs in a snappy 58.75 seconds. Breen has said connections will regroup and look at Gulfstream Park’s preps next.

Haikal — This Shadwell Stable runner is just a maiden winner, but as a half-brother of the former Derby trail runner Takaful deserves to remain on early lists. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee remains in New York, where he worked a half mile in 50.50 seconds, his first breeze since the Dec. 15 victory.

In case you missed it…

Thursday’s Derby Daily Report included insights from trainer Shug McGaughey on Saturday’s other big favorite, Code of Honor, who could provide he’s “that kind” heading deeper into prep season.