Kentucky Derby 2019 Daily: Jones 'still looking forward'
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.
Trainer Larry Jones is experiencing a ride with a 3-year-old colt of the likes he hasn’t been on since 2012, when Mark Valeski finished a runner-up in two major Triple Crown preps.
“Right now, we’re still looking forward,” Jones said, and that’s a special spot to be in with fewer than three months until the 2019 Kentucky Derby.
Following Super Steed’s 62-1 upset Monday of Oaklawn Park’s Southwest Stakes (G3) is the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes.
While the son of Super Saver shows just four timed works since his Oct. 25 debut, that’s by design. Jones has continued to race Super Steed once a month, opting to run him into shape.
“That would be the ideal game plan for me,” the trainer said. “It seems like it’s working for him. We’re not going to try to get off it right yet.”
Mark Valeski ultimately didn’t run in the Derby, as connections removed him from consideration following his final work before the first Saturday in May. All was not lost. That same weekend, Jones won the Kentucky Oaks with Believe You Can.
Super Steed, meanwhile, is looking to become the barn’s first Derby starter since 2009 with Friesan Fire. Before that, Jones saddled Derby runner-ups Hard Spun (2007) and Eight Belles (2008).
Super Steed has won two of five starts, breaking his maiden in allowance company last November at Churchill Downs. In that race going seven furlongs, he showed a similar middle move as in the Southwest, which came complete with a five-wide rally.
Jones gallops the colt in the mornings, laughing as he adds it's admittedly too fast at times. He also does most of that training toward the outside of the track, where Super Steed circled the Southwest’s pace setters.
“He runs the turn very well,” Jones said. “I told (jockey Terry Thompson) to just put him to where it’s up to the horse when he turns for home. Have him up where it’s an even horse race.
“…When Terry came to the outside, he said, ‘This is just a gallop day. I’ll go on from here now.’”
Super Steed burst three lengths in front in the stretch. By the wire, the margin was 3/4 of a length with Sueno closing in second.
Jones is confident that as distances increase, Super Steed will keep up. The trainer pointed out that the colt’s dam, Totally Tucker, is a half-sister to both the 2014 Arkansas Derby winner Danza and Majestic Harbor, a hard-knocking horse who won that same year’s Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
Also, “Making those big middle moves that he does,” Jones said, “that’s got to take some starch out of him.”
Even with the Rebel also at 1 1/16 miles, “I know they’re going to be sending the big guns after him now,” Jones added. “When you put a million dollars out there, that’s what happens. Hopefully we can match up with them.”
Derby links
• The Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman broke the Derby news of the week Tuesday afternoon, relaying from trainer Bob Baffert that both Game Winner and Improbable may run in the March 9 San Felipe Stakes (G2). Baffert likened it to “Clemson vs. Alabama.”
• Updated Kentucky Derby odds from William Hill U.S. list War of Will, the recent Risen Star (G2) winner, as the new co-third choice. Look deep enough, and you may still be able to find some value on contenders less known to the general public at this point.
• Terry Finley, president and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, ran down the leading partnership’s plans for its 3-year-olds starting with Galilean, Monday’s impressive California Cup Derby winner who has prep options.
In case you missed it…
Tuesday’s Derby Daily report discussed the growing parity at the top of the division, as trainers Mark Casse and Jerry Hollendorfer have lined up trios comparable to Bob Baffert’s early leaders.