Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Blue Steel delivers for Romans
Though he didn’t take nearly as much money in his second start, Blue Steel is the kind of colt “they” talked about before his debut in September. Back to the races, the Dale Romans trainee looked like a different horse — and a 2019 Kentucky Derby Radar prospect — in winning at Churchill Downs.
Wearing the famous Spendthrift Farm silks, Blue Steel, a $270,000 son of Will Take Charge, took them all the way going seven furlongs on Churchill’s “Stars of Tomorrow” card for 2-year-olds.
He figures to have beaten at least a couple of nice horses, and by five lengths. Steve Asmussen-trained Proud Nation, a 4-5 shot in the field of 10 got up for second after unable to keep up with the pace-setting Blue Steel.
Opening fractions were 22.57 and 45.58. When longshot rival R One pulled up alongside of Blue Steel, jockey Robby Albarado shook the reins, used a bit of the whip and hit the wire under a hand ride. The final time was 1:23.92.
One factor to note: There was a significant headwind Sunday at Churchill Downs. While it didn't boost front-runners, it seemed to detract closers running in the center of the track. Look for better from Proud Nation next out.
Blue Steel, as mentioned earlier, was making his second start having finished off the board Sept. 15 at Churchill. That day he didn’t break as well, absorbed some bumps early and was compromised Suffice to say, a better trip paid off, and perhaps that front-running style could translate to a race like the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) run Nov. 24 under the Twin Spires.
Romans-trained Tiz Mischief was second to eventual Derby runner Enticed in last year’s Kentucky Jockey Club. Promises Fulfilled, who went on to win the Fountain of Youth (G2) on the Derby trail, was third in that race.
Blue Steel is out of the Candy Ride mare Co Cola. He originally fetched $100,000 as a weanling, then sold for much more last year as a Keeneland September Yearling.
Checking the Derby Radar boxes for Blue Steel:
Broke maiden on major circuit
Connections with Derby experience