Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Galilean's prep plans forming

The options are numerous for Galilean’s road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby, says Terry Finley, president and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds. And “in all likelihood,” Monday’s dominant winner of Santa Anita’s California Cup Derby will get two opportunities to qualify.

“We’re in a very exciting position — that’s for sure,” Finley said.

Rightfully so with a horse who has earned comparisons to champion California Chrome given his approach to the Derby trail. Both colts won the King Glorious, then dominated Santa Anita’s California Cup Derby before converging on points qualifiers.

Looking back to the 2014 Cal Cup Derby, Finley noted that Galilean and California Chrome “really ran in a very similar fashion. It’s always cool to think about how popular Chrome was, and (Galilean’s) followed the same path so far.”

From here, however, they’ll likely divert. Differences in the calendar — the Cal Cup Derby ran earlier in Chrome’s days — allowed him to remain at Santa Anita Park for the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Galilean, meanwhile would face a quick turnaround of just fewer than three weeks should he stick around for the San Felipe — a race that may also include top Derby hopefuls Game Winner, Improbable and Instagrand. Going out of town looks like a distinct possibility.

Connections are “trying to figure it out,” Finley said, knowing they may have the goods in the $600,000 purchase. Galilean is 3-for-4 and has done his best running in two-turn races, pressing the Cal Cup Derby pace before going on to win by 4 1/2 lengths under a hand ride.

“The one thing that pops up in everybody’s mind is just how tough the competition was,” Finley said. “He was 1-9 for a reason. On paper he looked like he should be 1-9. We all know the pool gets very deep here.”

Still, there’s reason to believe Galilean is more than your average Cal-bred colt. He’s by a sire who stands in Kentucky, and out of an El Prado mare.

“He’s really, really grown quite a bit,” Finley said. “He’s longer. He’s gotten taller. He’s like 1,260 pounds or something. By the time we get to June 1, he should be 1,300 pounds or so. He definitely showed that he’s developing mentally, too, and has got a lot going for him.”

As for other West Point 3-year-olds, the graded stakes winner Gunmetal Gray is under consideration for the San Felipe, and his partners are different than those behind Galilean.

“I wouldn’t fall of my chair if they both run,” Finley said of the March 9 race.

Additionally, Still Dreaming, the half-brother of Nyquist who missed the board in Tampa Bay Downs’ Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), will return to Maryland for Laurel Park’s March 16 Private Terms.

“He could force his way back in,” Finley said of Still Dreaming, whose name is an homage to West Point Thoroughbreds’ involvement campaigning the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming.

Getting back to Churchill Downs with another contender is a major goal for the leading partnership.

“It’s a very invigorating and exciting and oftentimes exhausting journey,” Finley said, “but it’s a journey you want to get exhausted by.”