Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Baffert unveils Mucho Gusto
It was nice to meet Mucho Gusto, indeed, on Thursday afternoon as Bob Baffert unveiled a dominant debut winner at Los Alamitos, where the colt drifted wide off the turn but still went on to win by four lengths.
Under jockey Joe Talamo, the son of Mucho Macho Man broke on top, led throughout and kicked away late to an easy victory. He finished the six furlongs in 1:10.14, and that was despite moving out multiple paths into the stretch.
Talamo didn’t need the whip but did urge on his mount when the field closed in. Mucho Gusto regained focus and ran on to win for fun.
Michael Lund Petersen, who also campaigned the recently retired Grade 1 winner (and Kentucky Derby runner) Mor Spirit, owns Mucho Gusto. The Kentucky-bred out of a Giant’s Causeway mare cost $625,000 as a 2-year-old last May.
Off at even money, Mucho Gusto had the inside post position and wore blinkers first out. Two Fifty Coup, the race’s third choice, pressured to his outside through an opening quarter mile in 21.96. Once they hit the turn, Mucho Gusto turned a neck lead into a length advantage, got the half mile in 45.75 and went unchallenged.
Certainly, Mucho Gusto looks like a candidate to hit the Kentucky Derby trail. By the way, Baffert made the drive to Los Alamitos to see him in person, usually a sign he's there to see something special. The combo of Baffert and Petersen also have in training debut winner Tale Of The Union, who's expected to run next in the Sept. 29 American Pharoah Stakes (G1).
Checking the Derby Radar boxes for Mucho Gusto:
Broke maiden on major circuit (While in California, Los Alamitos isn't known for sending debut runners or maiden winners to the Derby.)
Connections with Derby experience